narrative and conceptual representation

The reading seems a little easier for me than other subjects since there are some semantic or linguistic background knowledge with which I'm familiar. However, as I was thinking about the layout of elements in the visual design, it was kind of challenge that I have never met before but would definitely need to work out as I feel much interested.
While I was thinking about the narrative and conceptual representation, two masterpieces jumped into my mind. One is the mannerist Italian painter Veronese’s The Wedding at Cana; the other is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Let's look at the first painting:


As is well known, the massive painting depicts the first miracle story of Jesus Christ in New Testament. It is about turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana, Galilee. Obviously, this is a narrative representation. Though the scene and arrangement seems a little bit too artificial to meet a simple story and the seemed-common Son then, I have to say that I was shocked at the first glance in the museum of Louvre. Not simply because of its size(262 in × 390 in)and the grand Greco-Roman architecture; as it were, the layout of more than a hundred people with different vivid facial and/or body expressions in every detail suggesting different status is no doubt a painstaking work. The main character seated in the middle is highlighted with halo to stress the significance. Besides, the deliberate design of direct eye-contact of this figure forces you to notice Him and compels you to sense His invisible power. The jars the servants poured and the glasses the guests hold may suggest the theme and background of the story. It is worth mention that the lambs being butchered in the front might be highly symbolic.

Observing this painting, it might be highly possible that one is unconsciously brought into the vectors of the volumes in the painting and may spare quite a while to step out.

Dramatically, the other painting Mona Lisa is hung right on the opposite of The wedding at Cana in the museum. In contrast, this painting is a conceptual representation.

I’m wondering which process I should describe it as I’m looking at the painting. Gunther Kress & Theo Leeuwen (1996:56) classified three conceptual processes, namely, classificational, analytical and symbolic processes. I’d prefer it be the second if I have to label it. The carrier is the half statue of an elegant lady, while the possessive attribute is the enigmatic smile on her serene face. Though static, the power of her smile can penetrate into the heart of each visitor. To highlight the character, contrast of dark and bright color has been used in the painting. we may see that the background sketched in is a plain but slightly blurring scenery, the hair and the clothes are dark; while the color of her face and skin are much lighter. It is said that the painting technique sfumato contributes greatly in the composition of the famous painting.