Met Museum Essay

The classic painting that you see on your left is made by Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis, titled Girl with Cherries, made in 1492-95, and the mediums used were oil paint on wood. As for the second painting below was made by Mary Beth Mckenzie, title Self- Portrait, made in 2002, and the is medium oil paint on canvas. The similarities between  these paintings is that they both use the same paint, and have the same visual stand point. Both figures are faced towards the viewer. The differences between the stances, are that the "Self- Portrait" is literally facing you, making eye contact with the view rather than the "Girl with Cherries". The texture of the Girl with Cherries is very soft and delicate in brush strokes. The wooden "canvas" definitely makes the medium and texture of the paint velvet like. The objective of this painting is considered idealistic and realistic. Due to the time period it is deemed to be a "natural depiction".  To portray a woman as delicate, "rich", and elegant. There is no rough texture with in this painting. How your eye moves around the painting is due to the pigmentation upon the given surface. The bright complimentary colors of cherry red and olive green make your focus move around the body to the olive toned skin. Values are contrasted to emphasize the young woman's clothing, skin, hair and face.When I had witnessed this painting i was captured by the fragility and delicates in how it was painted.  By the texture, temperament, and purpose of the painting. In comparison to Mary Beth's "Self-Portrait", in comparison to "Girl with Cherries", is completely opposite with texture despite the fact the same paint was applied. With the texture being applied is a lot rougher and a bit messy. Everything is not in its place nor exactly idealized. This is a representative and stylized art piece.The background color emphasizes  the mood of the viewer. The facial expression of Mary Beth is not so delicate but almost very serious and heavy. As an example the art philosopher Ernst Gombrich  stated, "Style rules where the artist wishes to reproduce".Viewing this particular art piece it defines the quote. The emotional "style" had ruled Mary Beth.  I accepted the given emotion being portrayed. Experiencing this particular piece in contrast to the Italian painting I do  not feel the delicate emotion painted on the canvas. The brush strokes are rough quick, and rigid.
I believe these two art pieces are in the Metropolitan Museum because it is noticeable how revolutionary art is between 13th and the 21st century. How art has evolved in portraying women, is that before we had focused on depicting women in their social class and how they should be viewed as. It is unrealistic how women should look like in real life. "Angelic faces" were meant to be emphasized, no imperfections were portrayed in a painting what so ever.  As for the 21st century art it is a lot more liberal in exposure to women and female artists. There is no particular method or way that as a modern artist had to necessarily follow. Rather mainly focus on how an artist views themselves or particular subject of art. The viewer to the artist completely opinionated. Why? Stylization has no "proper form". These two works are the perfect example between stylization and realism, despite the fact the two time eras are widely apart.