Decipher the Didactic Message
Massys is regarded as one of the most renowned painter through the artwork “A Money Changer and His Wife”. Massys artworks are recognized by the aspect to embrace emblematic meaning. This is reflected in the paint work to convey the Netherland tradition. The didactic message in Massys artwork demonstrates the economic activities dated from the 16th century. The portrait presents a man in trade transaction while calculating cash alongside his wife. The representation of the dressing mode is focused on the moral values to reflect a secular interpretation. The financial maneuvering has been used in the portrait to depict the distraction to Christians against religion. This was a common element associated to the historical culture to religion.
The portrait entails the analysis of the commercial upheaval that subjugated the industrial revolution. In the portrait, the couple is presented to devote to counting the money instead of reading the scriptures as was customary in the 16th century. This portrait is developed at a time when the commercial revolution was on the rise in Europe.
The portrait addresses satirical implementation in the history of time. Through the symbolism nature of the painting, the moral value is endorsed by criticizing the religious values of the population in the era. The message portrayed in the art work is an entire representation on the greed that has engulfed the religious nation. The coins in the picture represent the greed for money and wealth (Adams pg 211).
The center stage of the portrait is also built on the mercantile era during the 16th century. This is detailed to include the goldsmiths and money changer who were expected to be in the places of worship. The satirical symbolism revolves on the urge to represent the commercial duties in relation to the early church doctrine. The thematic use of religion for the portrait setting is defined by the lantern in the picture and the dress code (Adams pg 2171).
The painting is a sample genre of the 16th century that marked Netherlands as the heart of industrial revolution in terms of economic development. Netherlands is also portrayed as a reorganization center in relation to religion. This is appreciated by the painting to mark the era on religion and the cultural significance during this period. The picture has a sense of reflection on the everyday life of the ordinary citizens during the period the masterpiece was designed (Adams pg 235).
The description of the painting is effectively presented as a reconciliation of the normal life on the fundamental pillars of religion. This is a moral value that has been mounted to signify the cultural appreciation entailed in a painter’s work. The symbolic nature of the painting is established on a culture which is highlighted with religious works. The religious works are altarpieces from which the painting is based.
The analysis of the artwork “A Money Changer and His Wife” by Quinten Massys is a significant presentation and appreciation of economic values and religious elements of the netherland population during the 16th century. The literature achievement by Quinten Massys is due to the unifying aspects of joining available custom values with observable elements of art. The painter has defined cultural significance with a religious composition that has been founded on the art of economic dominance of the population in Netherlands.
Work Cited
Adams, Laurie. Art Across Time. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
