Comparative study with image annotation with diagrams to understand formal analysis for IB Visual Arts students and teachers.

1. Comparative Study
Visual Analysis
CONNECTION
S.VIJAYARAGHAVAN

2. Comparative Study – Paul Gauguin 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903
The Yellow Christ (1889)
Oil on Canvas 'The Yellow Christ' is a classic example of his style. It depicts
some traditional Breton women praying at a roadside grotto but
it is not a documentary illustration of the scene; it is an attempt
to portray the spiritual vision that they experience in their
prayer. In this painting Gauguin was inspired by the naive
simplicity of a wooden 17th century crucifix that he saw in the
nearby church at Tremalo and he uses its primitive form and
autumnal yellow color as a key to the work.
He then simplifies his drawing, boldly outlines his shapes and
exaggerates his color to magnify the heightened emotion of the
women's prayerful meditation.
'Tahitian Landscape', 1893 (oil on canvas)
This picture, one of the first he painted in the South Seas, exhibits the artist's
characteristic Post-Impressionist style. In it, Gauguin used sinuous contours and
intense colors to express the joy and serenity inspired by the lush tropical
site.Tahiti would become Gauguin's home for most of the last twelve years of his
life. He once said of his Tahitian paintings that he had been "eager to suggest a
luxurious and untamed nature, a tropical sun that sets aglow everything around
it...the equivalent of the grandeur, depth, and mystery of Tahiti when it must be
expressed in one square meter of canvas."

3. A
CONNECTION
Master of the Lyversberg Passion or Master
of the life of the Virgin (UNKNOWN)
"Christ on the Cross with Mary, John and
Mary Magdalene"
Dimensions: 86.4 x 72.9 cm Medium: Oil
Painting on Oak, Creation Date: 1465 - 1470
PAUL GAUGUIN (1848-1903)
'The Yellow Christ', 1889 (oil on canvas) C
B
PAUL GAUGUIN (1848-1903)
'Tahitian Landscape', 1893 (oil on canvas)

4. Comparative Study – Paul Gauguin
Master of the Life of the Virgin, Christ on the Cross with Mary, John and
Mary Magdalene, c. 1465/1470. Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne,
Germany
In The Yellow Christ (1889) often cited as a quintessential cloisonnist work, Gauguin reduced the cross to
areas of single colors separated by heavy black outlines and have direct influence from post renaissance
painting. In such works he paid little attention to classical perspective and boldly eliminated subtle
gradations of color — two of the most characteristic principles of post-Renaissance painting.
C
http://daydreamtourist.com/2013/02/04/mary-magdalene/
A

5. Comparative Study – Direct Influences from his own painting – “Tahitian Landscape”
SUBJECT:
Catholism ancient Celtic
beliefs, anthropological
study – Breton peoples
SUBJECT:
Tahitian Landscape –
Reflects rural area with
warm colours
INFLUENCES: Artist used technique
known as ‘Cloisonnism’ - medieval
technique for decorative enamel work
Many historians believe that Gauguin
painted his own face as the face of Christ
because he felt that, like Christ, he had
suffered and was still suffering – he
endured the many woes of an artist.
Also,themanrunninginthe
backgroundiscaughtintheactof
gettingaway,whichrepresentsthe
late19thcenturydesireto"get
away"fromthecitylifeandget
backtothe"primitive“.
Triangular representations
COMPOSITION
Typical academic style of
composition and Artist
used one point
perspective. The path
shows very clearly to leads
vanishing in one point
perspective.
TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on canvas in this painting and bold outline with
vivid colour scheme . Highly inspired from ‘Cloisonnism’ rom post
–renaissance period.
COMPOSITION
Unique arrangement in this composition, more into
primitive style. he paid little attention to classical
perspective
Colour Scheme:
(Direct influence from
Tahitian Landscape
INTENTION
In this painting Gauguin
expressed in unusual way of
depicting the characterization
and cultural significance. it is
an attempt to portray the
spiritual vision that they
experience in their prayer. It
is more connected into social
and spiritual context rather
than Religion.
TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on canvas in
this picture and less outline
and flat colour approach
INFLUENCES: In this
painting artist used
direct influences from
the nature and shows
geographical condition
of the place.
INTENTION
In this painting artist captured
natural beauty of Tahitian
landscape . He attempt well in
the artistic feature s of colour
balance, harmony , mood and
atmosphere.
IMAGE ANNOTATION (Similarities and differences)

6. Similar arrangement in the Holy Cross
SUBJECT:
Catholism
ancient Celtic
beliefs,
anthropological
study – Breton
peoples
TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on oak in
this picture and less outline
and flat colour approach
SUBJECT:
Strong Religious
Painting Biblical scenes
represented
LandscapeSimilarities
Colour Scheme:
Differences
(Direct influence from
Tahitian Landscape
Typical post renaissance
style
SPACE and BALANCE :
Similarities
Both paintings having similar
annotated diagrams in the
pictorial composition
INFLUENCES: In this
painting artist used direct
influences from biblical
stories.
COMPOSITION
Typical Classical
perspective, can easily
find direct similarities of
Gaugain’s Yellow christ
(Compare Triangular
diagrams)
Triangularrepresentations
C
TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on canvas in this painting and bold
outline with vivid colour scheme . Highly inspired
from ‘Cloisonnism’ rom post –renaissance period.
COMPOSITION
Unique arrangement in this composition, more
into primitive style. he paid little attention to
classical perspective (Compare Triangular
diagrams)
INTENTION
In this painting
Gauguin depicts some
traditional Breton
women praying at a
roadside grotto but it
is not a documentary
illustration of the
scene; it is an attempt
to portray the spiritual
vision that they
experience in their
prayer.
Master of the Lyversberg Passion or Master of the life
of the Virgin (UNKNOWN)
"Christ on the Cross with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene"
Dimensions: 86.4 x 72.9 cm Medium: Oil painting on Oak
Creation Date: 1465 - 1470
INTENTION
The wealthy Mary of Magdala (a city along the Sea of
Galilee) was said to be cured of an illness by Jesus and
became a close follower of his. While the 12 Disciples
scattered during the crucifiction, it was Mary Magdalene,
Mother Mary and John that stay at the cross.
IMAGE ANNOTATION (Similarities and differences)

7. Resource:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloisonnism
http://daydreamtourist.com/2013/02/04/mary-
magdalene/http://www.artsconnected.org/resource/8518/tahitian-
landscape
http://www.intltravelnews.com/images/2006/07/big/pgfg.jpghtt
p://www.aaronartprints.org/gauguin-
theyellowchrist.phphttp://www.gluckliche-
eme.com/miscgermanartists.htm
http://www.wallraf.museum/en/collections/middle-ages/floorplan/gallery-
7/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gauguin
S.VIJAYARAGHAVAN, IB Visual Arts Faculty
NPS International School, Singapore
vijay.svhavan@gmail.com
all copy rights reserved | S. Vijayaraghavan, Year 2014