Christ in Majesty

Christ in Majesty is a Romanesque fresco secco from the 12th century that was transferred to plaster and wood. It was originally located in the apse of the Church of Santa Maria de Mur in Catalonia, Spain but now is located in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as a gift from the Maria Antoinette Evans Fund. The fresco is a transition from Roman and Byzantine Art to Gothic Art. The artist of Christ in Majesty utilizes his art to educate people in the doctrines of the Christian faith.
Christ in Majesty is a work of art made to emphasize religion and to teach illiterate people the principles of Christianity. On the upper register one sees figures from the New Testament such as Christ surrounded by the four symbols of the …show more content…

Using these tones to depict shadows makes the image less naturalistic because they are extremely different from the ivory, light brown flesh tones the figures possess. No one has turquoise under eye circles. Moreover, the proportions of Christ and the symbols of the four evangelists are unnatural. No one can be as tall as them. The Apostles are smaller than Christ and have the same height; however, they are still tall and have elongated legs and feet. Abel and Cain are shown in a smaller scale and their legs are too long for their bodies too. On the Dionysiac frieze, the figures seem more realistic because the use of tones is appropriate for the depiction of shadows since the colors are not equal to the flesh tone but they are not too dark to make the forms looks flat. Also, there is no heavy outline of the body. The proportions seem more natural. The legs are the appropriate size for their bodies. The lack of naturalism is another way to show that an accurate depiction is not necessary for Medieval artists. As long as people understand that Christ is the savior and the most powerful figure there is no need to concentrate on the representation of natural forms.
The clothing of the figures makes this work move away from Ancient Classical works of art. In Ancient Classical works figures are illustrated nude or the drapery accommodates to the body, just like on the Nike of Samothrace. In the Romanesque painting, Christ and the Apostles are wearing