The materials used to develop artwork can inextricably increase the significance and monetary value of the artwork. For instance, the material, such as the color and canvas of a painting, can change the outlook and monetary value of the painting. The Mona Lisa painting is one of the most famous paintings with a high monetary value (Raviola and Zackariasson 91). The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century; however, due to its beauty and scarcity, it has gained a lot of attention and increased in monetary value in the 21st century.
The materials and style of painting used in the creation of the Mona Lisa have contributed to its high monetary value. The artists used the sfumato form of artistry which involves a smooth transition of one color to another through using subtle graduations. Similarly, a high monetary value is attached to the painting because of the fame of its creator and the mystery it holds. Additionally, despite ordinary materials such as oil and wood being used to create the Mona Lisa, it is considered priceless because it brings serenity to the viewer and holds an Italian cultural value as it is considered to preserve Italian heritage in the contemporary world.
Similarly, Sidney Nolan’s The Camp painting shows how materials play a central role in artwork. The materials used to create The Camp includes Ripolin enamel and alkyd on the hardboard. The artist selected the materials as they slow the painting’s drying process to ensure that the layers of paint remain uniform and stretch on the canvas. As a result, the painting achieves more longevity and mimics reality (Gottschaller et al. 40). Hence, due to the high value of the materials, the painting gains a significant increase in monetary value.
Works Cited
Elena Raviola, and Peter Zackariasson, editors. “8 Evaluating Value: Stolen, Disappearing, and Pseudonymous Art. ” Arts and Business: Building a Common Ground for Understanding Society, Routledge, 2016, p. 91.
Gottschaller, Pia, et al. Making Art Concrete: Works from Argentina and Brazil in the Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros. Getty Publications, 2017.