≽ An Allegory of Abdication
The first painting I chose from the Rijksmuseum is the Allegory on the Abdication of Emperor Charles V in Brussels.
PAINTING'S STATISTICS:
- Title: Allegory on the Abdication of Emperor Charles V in Brussels
- Artist's Name: Frans Francken (II)
- Medium: Oil on Panel
- Dimensions: 134 cm x 172 cm
- Content and Theme: Displays the figures of Karel V van Habsburg, Ferdinand I van Habsburg and Filips II. Themes of Allegory and Abdication.
I chose to invest my attention to this painting due to its clever use of mythological imagery to tell a story of an actual historical event. After learning a bit about this painting, a lot of themes and symbols show up to tell the entire historical event and the outcome of his Abdication. You have the four figures representing the various countries being given away from his power, and perhaps the imagery of the mythology due to the transfer of the Holy Roman Empire. The clash of ancient mythology and the modern setting create an immediate attraction to the eye, and I found this painting to maintain that attraction quite well.
≽ Mary Magdalene
The next painting that interested me from the Rijkmuseum is the paint of Mary Magdalene.
PAINTING'S STATISTICS:
- Title: Mary Magdalene
- Artist's Name: Carlo Crivelli
- Medium: Tempera on Panel
- Dimensions: 152 cm x 49 cm
- Content and Theme: The Harlot Mary Magdalene
This painting immediately caught my eye due to its saturated colors and the interesting line-work within her hair, even including the detail of her dress. Even though this painting may not be the forefront of technicality and advancement, something about its flow really grasps me. The fact the painting instantly focuses you on her face and the mug, then uses the lines and even her gaze to avert you down to the rest of the painting and its detail. Seeing this painting among the rest of the Biblical Scene collection and how drastically it pulled my attention from the rest really spoke to me.
≽ Corpses of the De Witt
The final painting I chose from the Rijksmuseum is the painting The Corpses of the De Witt Brothers.
PAINTING'S STATISTICS:
- Title: The Corpses of the De Witt Brothers
- Artist's Name: Jan de Baen (attributed to)
- Medium: Oil on Canvas
- Dimensions: 69.5 cm x 56 cm
- Content and Theme: The bodies of the executed Johan and Cornelis De Witt in public
As I was browsing through the numerous paintings the Rijksmuseum has to offer, this painting promptly stood out from the rest. The color palette and lighting used, along with its absolutely macabre subject matter is in such a stark contrast compared to the rest of the collection that I felt I had to examine this painting. Although I do not know much about the event or historical issue surrounding this painting, I found its subject matter, lighting, and almost "sketch-like" design very interesting.
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