Masaccio, The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, 1427
Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Mone Cassai, or better known as Masaccio, was a well-known artist despite his brief career. He passed away in 1428 and although his career lasted less than a decade Masaccio was able to construct a new perspective in Florentine paintings throughout his time period, which was taken place during the Renaissance period in Italy. The painting I provided above is one of Masaccio's well-known frescos titled, "The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise," which is displayed in the Brancacci Chapel located in Florence, alongside too many of his other paintings.
The subjects found in Masaccio's paintings were mainly based upon the church and he accomplished to portray such a story in his artwork by using realism. The fresco above is based on the Book of Genesis where Adam and Eve are banished from their home due to eating the forbidden fruit, being the one rule given by God to follow in order to continue to live in such paradise. Due to such action they are now forced to face the consequences and are thrown into the world with nothing but the guilt they hold inside. Although, unlike other artists at the time, instead of drawing a two-dimensional painting, Masaccio chose to go about his art by creating frescos; to illustrate these illusions to allow the viewers to perceive the art almost as if being in a three- dimensional form (considered three- dimensional for their time period). He accomplishes this act by combining his studies of the human body and his knowledge of ancient sculptures. Based on this he used perspective, light, color, shadows, etc. to create this new style of art creating a greater realism during the time period because it is not based on precise lines/ outlines, but instead the mass and form of it all.
Another key genre besides the realism aspect would be the expressionism Masaccio portrays in his artwork. He accomplishes this act by the drastic emotions planted on their faces. This allows the viewer to look at it in a more psychological view. With Adam covering his face and Eve having the agonizing look on her face while covering her body, you feel the embarrassment and agony they are feeling. This artwork allows the viewer to look past the actual painting and instead read into the emotions of these characters.
The subjects found in Masaccio's paintings were mainly based upon the church and he accomplished to portray such a story in his artwork by using realism. The fresco above is based on the Book of Genesis where Adam and Eve are banished from their home due to eating the forbidden fruit, being the one rule given by God to follow in order to continue to live in such paradise. Due to such action they are now forced to face the consequences and are thrown into the world with nothing but the guilt they hold inside. Although, unlike other artists at the time, instead of drawing a two-dimensional painting, Masaccio chose to go about his art by creating frescos; to illustrate these illusions to allow the viewers to perceive the art almost as if being in a three- dimensional form (considered three- dimensional for their time period). He accomplishes this act by combining his studies of the human body and his knowledge of ancient sculptures. Based on this he used perspective, light, color, shadows, etc. to create this new style of art creating a greater realism during the time period because it is not based on precise lines/ outlines, but instead the mass and form of it all.
Another key genre besides the realism aspect would be the expressionism Masaccio portrays in his artwork. He accomplishes this act by the drastic emotions planted on their faces. This allows the viewer to look at it in a more psychological view. With Adam covering his face and Eve having the agonizing look on her face while covering her body, you feel the embarrassment and agony they are feeling. This artwork allows the viewer to look past the actual painting and instead read into the emotions of these characters.
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