Art history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Art history - Essay Example This is an appropriate comparison as both this piece and many pieces which have been found on the walls of pyramids, are symmetrical and surreal with extremely high activity which serves to tell a story. By symmetrical it is meant that the right and left side of the mural is equivalent in color scheme, size of characters as well as their placement. For example, Jesus, while centered in the upper quadrant of the piece, is accompanied on both sides by two angelic creatures. The similarities to Egyptian pyramid murals is also visible in the life-less qualities of the two dimensional people included in the work. An example of this is the depiction of feet. Jesus’ feet in this piece, are eerily small compared to the rest of his body which is a continuity of disproportion. The angels on either side of him, resemble deer with human-like faces with angel wings. On both sides of the lower portion of Jesus’ positioning, there appear to be votives held by ascending chains. It is not clear what they are but what is clear, is that they are in equal proportion on the left and the right sides of Jesus. This could be assimilated to weights and balances which often represent justice and fairness. These could also be the ornate objects used by priests in the catholic church, in many religious ceremonies, as a symbolic act. The middle to lower portion of the piece is marked by 12 or so individuals with glowing halos above their heads. Certainly this may b e and is most likely, the 12 apostles of Christ. They appear to be glorified similarly to Christ but certainly not to the same extent. They appear below Christ and the angels which makes sense within the natural order of Christian belief and Biblical ideology. In this same portion of the mural, below the throne of Christ, there are what appear to be two windows or doors, which are each guarded or inclusive