This is the School of Athens by Raphael. Notice how the viewer is drawn into the center of the piece. He did this by having Aristotle and Plato in the center and he chose to use complementary colors for their robes. By dressing Plato in orange and Aristotle in blue it draws your eye to the two most important characters in the scene.

 

 

 

In Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Apollo and Daphne, many parts of the sculpture reach out into space. That means the surrounding space also reaches into the sculpture. In three dimensional artworks, the mass of the sculpture must work with the space or void around it. The ground space can affect our point of view and sense of scale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An example of symmetrical composition would be Cimabue's Madonna Enthroned. The flanking angels are prefect reflections, but the throne, as well as the Virgin and Child are slightly turned towards the side. The focal point is still in the center; this is symmetry in artistic terms. You will find that symmetrical composition tend to be stable static and iconic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texture and light work together in an artwork and an artist can manipulate one to affect the other. The museum curator's job is to select proper lighting to display the work as the artist intended without causing long-term light damage. Donatello's cast bronze David has a very smooth face while Goliath's beard is rough; this helps the view distinguish their ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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