Apakah Anda tertarik dengan beberapa seni figuratif tertua di dunia? Seni figuratif dideskripsikan sebagai bentuk seni yang umumnya melibatkan bentuk manusia, hewan, dan benda lainnya sebagai objek peran utama untuk menggambar dalam lukisan yang mirip dengan lukisan gua prasejarah di Indonesia .
Figurative art is a kind of art that is categorized as modern art that already exist decades ago. Figurative art comes in more realistic figures compared to abstract. That makes the oldest figurative art in the world can be more popular than abstract.
Have you ever wondered what kind of oldest figurative art is in the world? Here we have some of them on the list below that you won’t find in the famous market in Jakarta. Let’s check them out!
1. Sappho Fresco
Sappho Fresco is one of the oldest pieces of figurative art in the world, which was painted between 55 to 79 AD. This kind of figure art describes a wealthy young woman with a wax tablet and stylus that dress luxuriously. Sappho Fresco can be found in Naples National Archaeological Museum which is different from the smallest Indonesian city by size.
The figure of Sappho describes accounting in the ancient era of Pompeii as the symbol of women’s prosperity in their high society. The figure even wears gold threaded hair and large gold earrings on her ear to prove her prosperity which is different from some museums and art galleries in Jakarta.
2. Lamentation of the death of Christ by Giotto di Bondone
Lamentation of the death of Christ painted by Giotto di Bondone becomes one of the oldest figurative art in the world. Giotto is well-known as the first painter that draws figurative art in the world.
The lamentation of the death of Christ represents the story of when Christ faces his death and the people who mourned with the angels around. The facial expression on the figure of Christ, the figures around, and the angels around can be recognized easily.
Lamentation of the death of Christ by Giotto was drawn between 1304 – 1306. You can see his authentic figurative art in Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel, Padua, Italy, which is different from some museums in Jakarta.
3. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck
The Arnolfini portrait is one of the oldest figurative art in the world, painted by Jan Van Eyck. You can find this kind of figurative art in the National Gallery of London was painted in 1434. The Arnolfini portrait describes two main figures Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife.
The complexity of the painting is shown by the figures accompanied by their dog and the detail of the wall behind them. The complexity of detail in the Arnolfini portrait also draws in the little mirror that stands on the wall behind them.
4. The Annunciation by Fra Angelico
The Annunciation is one of the oldest figurative art in the world that you can find in Florence, Italy. The Annunciation was painted by Fra Angelico in the Convent of San Marco between 1440 – 1445. The Annunciation is a typical fresco painting of figurative art that comes with a more realistic composition.
The realism theme of this kind of figurative art describes the time when the archangel Gabriel visits Mary. The Annunciation describes Gabriel and Mary as the main figure painted with a vanishing point.
5. The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
The Last Supper is one of the oldest figurative art in the world painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. This kind of figurative art was painted between 1495-1498 and describes the last supper of Jesus. The Last Supper was painted in a detailed expression of Jesus as the main figure in the painting and the people around him.
Leonardo Da Vinci used a fresco technique in this painting. You can find the authentic The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci in Santa Maria Delle Grazie, Milan.
6. Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo
The Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo is one of the oldest figurative art in the world that you can find in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and Rome. This kind of figurative art describes the creation of Adam as the main figure. The Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo draws in a complex painting with figures that express some nudes and some clothes.
The detail of the figures describes properly in fresco technique that was influenced by renaissance art. The Sistine Chapel ceiling is a typical figurative art painted between 1508 – 1512 that illustrates the life of the Catholic Church.
7. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
The portrait of the Mona Lisa is one of the oldest figurative art in the world painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. This kind of figurative art describes the portrait of Lisa Gherardini as the main figure. The portrait of the Mona Lisa is typical of modern figurative art that was painted around the Italian Renaissance between 1503-1506, and it might be continuing by Leonardo around 1517.
Mona Lisa was representing Lisa Gherardini, later on, named Lisa Del Giocondo, as she becomes the wife of the wealthy Florentine silk merchant Francesco Del Giocondo. She becomes the figure of ideal womanhood around the 15 century.
8. The School of Athens by Raphael
The School of Athens is the oldest piece of figurative art in the world painted by Raphael. It was painted between 1509-1511, which brings the fresco style of figurative art. You can find the figurative art of The School of Athens in the Apostolic Palace of Vatican City.
This painting describes the decorative school and figures of students in pretty detail of them. After knowing some of the oldest figurative art in the world, you might be wondering know every detail of them. Visiting some of the museums will help you to find them and explore more about figurative art.
