Throughout the history of art, there have always been a plethora of portraits, regardless of period or medium, whether they are sculptures, paintings or even carvings. Humans have always been fascinated by themselves and the appearance of others. But it's not always about vanity, it means much more and can be conveyed in different ways. In some cases, artists have gone beyond simple resemblance and can evoke different emotions in the viewer. That being said, in this essay I will compare and contrast two portraits. The first is an oil painting titled The Man in the Red Turban by Flemish painter Jan van Eyck from 1433. The second artwork is Louis XIV by Hyacinthe Rigaud, a French Baroque painter. The portrait dates from 1701 and is an oil on canvas. These two works of art both bear a resemblance to each of their subjects but use different styles, elements, and emotions to captivate the viewer. In this essay I will detail why I think The Man in the Red Turban is the best portrait and why it is so effective. In terms of time, these two portraits were technically not painted very far apart. But in terms of the artistic styles of each of these periods, they are very different. Van Eyck's paintings were created at the dawn of the early Renaissance and were inspired by ideas such as science, humanism and philosophy. The art of this period retained a medieval understanding of a hierarchical relationship as well as religious imagery, but also while rejoicing in a realistic treatment of both natural and man-made elements. On the other hand, Rigaud was present during the Baroque cultural movement at the height of the Reformation. Due to the era, the artistic style of Baroque was grandiose...... middle of paper...... In contrast, that of Hyacinthe Rigaud is quite the opposite, utilizing a plethora of detail and a sense of greatness. to reflect the majestic nature of the king and his monarchy. Each portrait serves its own purpose and is the result of correlated periods. They are both simply fantastic paintings that have and will continue to transcend time and influence future artists for centuries. Works cited “4 / Ceremony and society”. Art through time: a global vision. Np, and Web. April 20, 2014. Gardner, Helen and Richard G. Tansey. Gardner's Art Through the Ages. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College, 1996. Print. “Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.” » Jan Van Eyck (c. 1390-1441). Np, and Web. April 20, 2014. “Hyacinthe Rigaud”. Archives of France |. Np, and Web. April 20, 2014. “Portrait of a Man (Self-portrait?). » Jan Van Eyck. Np, and Web. April 20. 2014.