The Work of Leonardo da Vinci
The famous artist Leonardo da Vinci created the work that will be the subject of this analysis between the years of 1472 and 1475. The depiction of the angel and the women in the artwork is exquisite. It shows the artist's timeless and unadulterated relationship in a serene environment. The artist has attempted to capture the complex relationship between the angel and the announcement that Mary, a virgin, will become pregnant. The angel's holding of a flower as a sign alludes to the amazing news that he has for the Virgin Mary. This is one of the innate talents that are shown by the artist, to present a piece of art that will be commendable for centuries.
The Italian Renaissance
The famous artist was born at the time of the Italian Renaissance, which began at the end of the 13th century. The period marks the rebirth of the Italian and the French societies. The rebirth not only included the awareness on the notion of politics and human rights. However, this period highlights the remarkable and notable changes in the art, pottery, sculptures, writing, and music. These areas were widely revived and this era transformed these entities in a much attractive way. The economic standards rose high and the people with the help of their money assisted in the development of art in a freer way. The restrictions were uplifted and the artists posed their talent in a rather more thoughtful and open kind of a representation.
Individualism in Art
The work of the artist like the one in the analyzed portrait depicts the individualism of the artist. Predominantly, the work during this time was inclined more towards the religion. The way Leonardo's expression has been used in the given portrait gives a glimpse of the work being done in a more restricted environment. He was an artist, who had always been trying to present the work to achieve beauty and trying to present something very close to reality. At the time of the rebirth of the Italian and the French societies, Leonardo shattered the concepts of working under the influence of another artist. He worked in an independent way at a very youthful age. He became famous as an individual artist. As an artist, Leonardo loved to paint in the landscape and whatsoever was painted by him was targeted to make the audience delve into some kind of an emotion.
The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci
The given painting of the Leonardo da Vinci, The Annunciation, painted with an oil base was initially attributed to another painter named, Domenico Ghirlandaio. Later in the 19th century, the style of painting was recognized from that of the Vinci. The two different versions of the painting have been displayed at two various places. The painting illustrates the religious motive of the artist by showing the angel Gabriel bending on his knees. The right hand being raised towards Mary shows the sign of greeting and respect towards the Mary. On the other hand, the Virgin Mary has also greeted with her left hand being raised. The shading, coloring of the artwork is very attractive and thoughtful.
The Background and Symbolism
The atmosphere portrayed in the background of the image, the draperies and the approach of the artist is very impressive. The name of the painting 'annunciation' literally means the announcement. The announcement being made by the angel by showing the Lily flower is to give Mary the news of bearing a special child. The setting of the two main characters is in a Florentine Villa with the mountain and water as the background image. The background depicts both the human activities and the religious attributes as well. The light painted by the artist on Mary gives the feeling of more sovereign and emotional feature to the artist's work.
The Assistance of Verrocchio
Moreover, some part of the work is thought as a help and assistance to Leonardo da Vinci. He has been painting in a Christian representation, also conducted by the famous artists like Fra Angelico, Simon Martini and much more. Most probably it is stated that Verrocchio might have helped him to complete the artwork. The reason can be supported since the marble table in front of Mary has an inscription of the quote from the tomb of Piero and Giovanni de Medici. This tomb was made as a sculpture by Verrocchio and it was placed in San Lorenzo in Florence. (Halas, & da Vinci, 1989)
Debate and Analysis
The presence of the artistic work at two distinct places, however, recognized both done by Leonardo has become the centerpiece of the debate. The immense debate states the work in Uffizi version done purely by da Vinci. The other version has some doubts and raises few arguments by the expert analysts to state the originality of the work. It also seeks to identify the real artist behind the portrait. The color combination is used in the painting is a unique dimension of the artist, which is commendable by the analysts of the artwork done by Leonardo da Vinci. The wings of the angel are more realistic in another version of the painting contradictory to the one being shown here. This is the style being depicted by the talented artist admired in all times for his classical artwork.
The Representation of Mixed Feelings
Last but not the least, the portrait is the representation of the mixed feelings of hope, love, respect and calmness. It depicts Leonardo's effort at a very early age. Moreover, this also shows the religious inclination now of the early 14th century. The factor of religiosity was also liked mostly at that time. On the other hand, this picture does show the somber side of the image. The dark hues of the painting and the presence of the dead flowers by the foot of the angel show the dark period before the birth of Jesus Christ. Hence, there is a different description of the artwork as the analysis has been done by both sides of the viewers who would be critically observing the work by Leonardo da Vinci. The advent of the period of rebirth and the arrival of a positive aspect brings about the notion of hope in the work of the artist. The story of Mary being visited by the angel of God is one of the renowned stories before the time of the period of the Renaissance times. The theme of this painting has been frequently used by the artist. This shows that the work was as a result of an influence of the thoughts and ideas of the people at that time.
References
Halas, J., & da Vinci, L. (1989). The Life and Work of Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo, 22(3/4), 457. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1575453
