Activity #5: Write About It!!

The tempera on panel painting, “Saint John in the Desert”, was created by Italian artist Domenico Veneziano in 1445 and the oil on panel painting, “Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos” was created in 1547 by Italian artist Titian Venetian. Both artists use various themes to detail the events of their work.

The theme utilized in Veneziano’s work is story and history. Stories and histories are often used by artists as they provide a subject matter for their creations (Getlein 62). Subject matter refers to the objects or events a work of art illustrates and in his painting the Biblical historical stories or events are depicted (36). Placement and color play significant roles in Veneziano’s work as these principles and elements are used as emphasis in the scene and thus display importance. The theme of human experience can be observed here as well as Veneziano’s saint lowers his robe in a gesture of relinquishing worldly possessions and concerns. His nudeness suggests rebirth; the start of new life of spiritual existence while the ruggedness of the mountains depict the honest and stark challenge he has accepted.

Color is used for a similar purpose in Titian’s painting. However, the notable difference here is the additional ingenuous use of light and line which further emphasizes the important action occurring in the scene than the artist’s use of monochromatic harmonies in the saint’s robe would achieve alone. In addition the theme of human experience is used and the stance that Titian’s saint displays indicates the immensity of the revelation he is about to receive.

To display the subject matter in their work, Veneziano and Titian both use various themes.