Painting Comparisons

A good art discussion, or good talking points can occur when viewing two paintings that are similar.  Unplanned, and yet, it fit the moment, I noticed that in my little book of Impressionism** that two paintings, one by Auguste Renoir, (pronounced Ren-wahr) and the other by Veronese (pronounced Vair-o-knees--silent k, but sounds like knees), have striking similarities. (The SS lesson today focused on serving and showing love to one another.  I shared these paintings.)

Contrasting the time periods,1881 Renoir's versus 1552 for Veroneses', the color schemes are the same. The perspectives and focal points, however are quite different.  Renoir's painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party, focuses on enjoying the pleasure of each others' company, as they have already been served.  A girl happily plays with her dog, while others are engaging in conversation  or listening to one. The perspective is on the people and the food. It is small in comparison to the one below as it is only 51 x 68 inches.
 

Veronese's painting focuses on the act of serving, and being served. In The Marriage or Wedding Feast of Cana (detail), however, the focus is on the servers.  The wealthy people are celebrating  The Marriage at Cana. But one notices, that joy is not on their faces. And yes, note the dog, lower left.  Each member of the party seems to be thinking or putting their direction on the servants. Art historians claim this painting of Veronese's is a wonderful work of art. Renoir thought so, for he visited the Louvre to see it again before his death. Why? It is a wonderful painting-descriptive, colorful, and painted with true craftmanship.  This is a massive painting. How big?  22 feet by 33 feet.
 
The following questions I thought of as I looked at these two paintings side by side in my book:

Did Veronese influence Renoir's own painting? 
Why joy in one painting, none in the other?  
Does it make any difference if they both used similar colors?  
Does the perspective of the tables influence the viewer? 
Or does the facial expressions?
How has culture changed between the two paintings? 
What was expected at these events?
What can we learn from these paintings about our own culture? about the artworks?

Another great book that does comparisons, is a small book, that  I found at a local elementary school library. It is great to see the comparisons of the paintings. They are unlikely paintings to link together, yet it works.   It would be a great teaching tool. Unlikely Pair, Fun with Famous Works of Art by Bob Raczka, 2006. Millbook Press, Minneapolis, MN.  ISBN 0-7613-2936-6.  lernerbooks.com.  Link to info about book

Check out these paintings and do your own comparisons.  Good luck! 


Credits: 

** Impressionism  a biographical and  critical study  by Jean Leymarie 2nd volume,  1955, World Publishing Company, Cleaveland, Ohio

Renoir painting from:  artseverydayliving.com


 Image from:  http://www.paolo-veronese.org/The-Marriage-at-Cana-%28detail%29-3.html