Hand gestures and facial expressions are prominent in both , used to express reaction rather than action. The figures on the left are grouped together in the center of the piece, which is different form the work on the right, where the figures stand in a circle of sorts around the Christ child. Whereas the Portinari Altarpiece tells its story in once central scene, and wings on either side, Masaccio's work has three scenes within one frame. Another difference is the use of many symbols in the slide on the right, such as the glass vase,and the white lilies. The use of symbols is not so apparent in the slide on the left.
Color is also different.
The Tribute Money is full of greys and pastels, while the Portinari is much darker and more solemn, with lots of blacks and deep reds. The use of dark colors in this painting is odd because the birth of Christ is a joyous occasion in which one would expect to see more light. Perhaps the darkness of the figures is used to contrast with the Christ Child, who is bathed in light and the center of the piece. These two works demonstrate some of the major differences between Italian painting of the 15th-century, with gestures and the colors produced by the fresco medium, and Northern painting, with numerous symbols and the deep colors possible with the oil medium.