Essay About Galleries Of The Metropolitan Museum Of Art And Abduction Of The Sabine Women

Comparative Analysis Paper Art History
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As I was browsing the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art two paintings in
particular quickly grabbed my attention. With striking similarities that echo throughout the
composition, as well as differences ranging from the subtle to the obvious, these two works of
art, when compared side by side, seem to have a conversation unlike any other. The first work,
by French artist Nicolas Poussin, was The Abduction of the Sabine Women. It was an oil on
canvas piece of work crafted during the mid 17th century during the baroque era. Located two
galleries east of this painting was The Death of Socrates. This painting, by another French artist
named Jacques Louis David, is also a work created using oil on canvas and was erected during
the late 18th century. These two paintings were painted only a little over a century apart and
while they share many similarities in their form, structure, and technique, they are also complete
embodiments of the respective art styles existing during the eras to which they belong.
The style of art used in The Abduction of The Sabine Women was defined by a
movement known as baroque art. By definition Baroque art was thought of as a style of art that
used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension,
exuberance and grandeur in all forms of art. As you can see from Poussins composition, crowded
with energized figures moving throughout the scene, as well as some figures who seem to be
crying out in agony, reaching towards others in such a dramatic way, overall increasing the
intensity of the scene.. No matter where you look in this painting there is always a figure doing
something. This something can range from the horses in the background who almost get lost
amidst all of the chaos to the man standing in the left foreground of the painting who seems to be
looking into all of the chaos with probably the calmest demeanor of everybody present. This
contrast between figures in the image really interested me. It forced me to wonder who was this
man and why, while everybody around him seemed to be clustered together, moving and rushing
around, was he looking on, saying or doing almost no more than just lifting his robe with a half
smile on his face. I believe that this contrast is quintessential of the baroque period and without
this figure, as well as the two behind him, maintaining this calm demeanor, the piece would not
be as sound in composition. Having something like this figure in the foreground ties the chaos
together giving me as the viewer time a place to rest my eyes from time to time. Upon reading
the description of this piece I found that this figure was Romulus, who was an important figure in
many classic roman myths, and the raising of the cloak was his signal to his men to begin the
abduction of the women, which would explain his mood in the composition. I still feel as though
his presence within the image was a conscious decision of the artist that has a direct effect on the
composition of the painting.
The style of art used in The Death of Socrates was defined by the art movement known as
Neoclassicism. This art style is defined by exactly what it sounds like, a revival of classic art
performed in ancient greece and rome. All of the art produced throughout this time period,
beginning within the 18th century, drew its inspiration from the classical art and cultures of these
two time periods and this painting, The Death of Socrates, is a very good example of this revival.
The figures represented in the painting by Jacques Louis David are very symbolic of the figures
often portrayed in greek sculpture. While there is no physical motion within the image, like the
motion within The Abduction of The Sabine Women, the level of emotion depicted within the
scene is extremely similar. The disciples of socrates surround him in his dying moment with
looks of agony and grief, some can not bare to look, while others are simply leaving the room
due to the overall intensity of the scene. Regardless of the emotion drawn from the disciples
within the scene everything is very orderly and neat. This being a recurring theme in many
classical paintings. I feel as though most classical paintings have some sort of order to them
which allows me as the viewer to look at them without being overwhelmed. The faces of the
figures within the paintings are very detailed, however they lack emotion. ALl of the real
emotion within the piece is derived from the bodies of the figures. In The Abduction of The
Sabine women, you can read the emotion of the people by looking at their faces, however, I can