Death Of Pentheus Flashcards
Date:
60-72CE
Size:
1.04 m x 1.04 m
Location:
House of the Vettii, Pompeii
Composition:
- Chiastic or ‘X’ shaped composition
- The two women in the top corners represent the upper corners of the ‘X’
- The central figure is Pentheus
- Pentheus’s head is the centre of the cross - possibly echoing what happens to him
Line:
- The women are all focused on Pentheus. This helps draw the focus to the centre of the picture, and to Pentheus’s face.
- Lots of the other lines in the painting also direct your eyes inwards towards the centre of the painting.
- Pentheus is the FOCAL POINT of the painting.
Mood/Tone:
- Pentheus’s face looks terrified (he is about to be ripped apart after all).
- He looks like he is pleading with the woman on his left, his arm outstretched.
- In contrast the women all have very calm looks on their faces - this reinforces the link to Dionysus and the madness/craze they are under the influence of. They don’t know what they are doing.
- The background is very hazy and indistinct, again another link to the haze they are in under the influence of Dionysus.
Depth:
- SHADOWS are used to show depth (seen on his left most leg and right most shoulder)
- Slight ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE is used - the figures at the back have less distinct outlines than the ones at the front.
- The woman at the top of the triangle is the the MIDDLE GROUND figure - Pentheus and the two women at the base of the triangle are in the FOREGROUND while the two women in the top corners are in the background.
- This is re-inforced by the OVERLAPPING of the figures. The women in the background only have their top half showing - they are standing behind rocks, and those rocks are clearly behind Pentheus
- 3/4 Pose of figures such as: Pentheus, woman in blue, woman in gold, woman in grey, woman in green
How does depth create visual impact?
Creates a three dimensional painting, makes it seem more LIFE-LIKE, REALISTIC, NATURALISTIC. Gives a sense that figures are rounded and occupy space, rather than just being on a flat surface.
How does composition create visual impact?
Draws the viewer’s attention to the important parts of the painting. Highlights the important parts of the narrative and GIVES FOCUS TO THE PAINTING. CREATES BALANCE/HARMONY
How does mood/tone create visual impact?
Reflects the painter’s views on the message of the painting. REINFORCES THE THEME OF THE PAINTING.
Woman in brown
She has both of her arms on Pentheus’s right most arm, pulling it. She is facing directly towards him expressionless. She is pale. She is in the bottom right corner.
Woman in blue
She is holding a weapon up above her head with her left most arm, directed towards Pentheus’s face. Her other hand is held onto Pentheus’s hair. Her face is tilted towards his in a 3/4 pose. She is pale and expressionless. She is in the bottom left corner.
Woman in gold
The bottom half of her body is obscured by rocks. She is holding a weapon in her right most hand, her arm extended rightward. Her other arm, close to the left of the canvas, hangs limply by her side. She is pale and expressionless. Her gaze is pointed towards Pentheus in 3/4 pose. She is in the top left corner.
Woman in dark grey
Her left most arm is extended, holding up a weapon pointed towards Pentheus. Her bottom half is obscured by a rock. Her arm next to the right edge of the painting is bent in almost a right angle, similarly holding a weapon like her other arm towards Pentheus. Her gaze is pointed towards Pentheus in 3/4 pose. She is pale and expressionless. She is in the top right corner
Woman in green
With two hands, she holds a rock above her head, which will be thrown onto Pentheus’s head, bludgeoning him to death. Her bottom half is obscured seemingly by a rock. Her gaze is pointed down to Pentheus. She represents Pentheus’s mother. She is in the too middle of the painting, coming from the right.
