Caress by Mary Cassatt and Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 827 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 3



I think that the fact that the statue is not finished also helps in conveying the message that Michelangelo wanted. The figure is barely sketched and much of the interpretation is in fact left to the eyes and mind of the viewer. The slave has no face yet, which means that we can imagine whatever we want and that his face and body is actually formed in our mind, at that level.

This is probably one of the main differences between the painting and the sculpture we are analyzing: the painting is already well formed and well defined, with the characters being shown as such and with little room left to the viewer's mind to recreate the respective image. Michelangelo's work is almost partly created by the viewer himself, who can use his imagination to create the work of art.

Despite the fact that this is an unfinished work of art, Michelangelo was extremely careful and detailed about the way he represented the body of the slave. The muscles are very explicitly sculpted and one can almost see the physical effort of the slave. His body is very lifelike and one can almost see the muscles contracting and the veins pulsating with life in the effort.

Stuck Writing Your "Caress by Mary Cassatt And" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Caress by Mary Cassatt and Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



One of the interesting similarities of the two works of art is the unnatural position of the two center characters: the slave in Michelangelo's work and the baby in Mary Cassatt's. The baby is not standing up straight, his position is slightly curved and he almost seems unstable, being supported by the girl and the woman. Similarly, the slave is also in a curved position, the reason here being that he is putting in a great effort in supporting the weight of the world. It is interesting to note that this weight also seems to be, in some ways, a modality of actually supporting the slave in maintaining his equilibrium, just as the two characters in the painting are supporting the baby.

As mentioned, the two works of art are relatively different, mainly because one is a painting and the other one a sculpture, which means that it is often a different mean of portrayal. Further more, there are 400 years separating the two artists, which is probably shown in some of the artistic trends of the works. Nevertheless, both works of art are excellent examples of how one can use stone or oil to express human….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Caress By Mary Cassatt And" (2008, April 13) Retrieved June 17, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/caress-mary-cassatt-30749

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Caress By Mary Cassatt And" 13 April 2008. Web.17 June. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/caress-mary-cassatt-30749>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Caress By Mary Cassatt And", 13 April 2008, Accessed.17 June. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/caress-mary-cassatt-30749
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example