Critique #2

 “The Greed, Monumental Painting”

 G. Nagy 

Oil on Canvas

G. Nagy expertly depicts one of the seven deadly sins, greed, in this painting titled “The Greed, Monumental Painting.”  When one looks very closely at the image the blurs of people form into sharp, distinctive characters of men in the business world.  In the center is located the devil himself condemning a greedy business man that has been stripped of his clothing as well as his dignity.  Surrounding them is crowds of many avaricious beings that are seemingly waiting for their turn for the devil to decide their fate.  The intention of the artist is to show that those who have shown cupidity throughout their years will end up in purgatory upon their death.  Furthermore, it is more astonishing is how the artist portrays the men on the staircases in their extravagant suits continuing business transactions despite that those exact actions have led them to this point of trial.  Three of the men are shown falling from the staircases onto the crowd of other beings concluding that their trial is coming soon, because once they reach the end of the staircase they get thrown off to join the rest of the men.  This painting has many interpretations based on the formation of the image’s content that Nagy careful illustrated. 

Nagy’s choices in hues coordinate with the event that is shown.  The very dark value concludes that the image is extremely intense, and the shades of red and orange strengthen the image greatly.  Most associate sins with Hell and fire which is exactly what is brought to the painting.  The lack of colors other than reds and oranges make the image obscured to those who are not up close to it; however, the complexity of it along with the uncertainty draws the viewers attention to it.  Depending on how one views the image, the bright red devil holding a sickle is the center becomes the focal point of the painting indicating that the humans are indeed located in Hell.  The subject matter is balanced throughout the centered composition bringing one’s eye to look at the painting as a whole.  The two clouds of fire in the background signify once again that the painting’s setting is in a land of purgatory.  The content and colors that were chosen for the image is well justified, and appropriate giving deserved acknowledgement towards the artist.

Many take greed lightly, or without care, however, this image shows the needed dramatization of the consequences of one of the seven deadly sins.  Avaricious is not easily avoided, and those who chose to act on their desires are justly punished by the devil himself, as the artist depicts.  Nagy’s representation of avariciousness is well portrayed in “The Greed, Monumental Painting.”