These selections of paintings highlight the daily life of the Dutch in the 1600’s. These paintings are a collection of works by the Dutch master’s Paulus Potter (1625-1654), Gerard ter Borch II (1617-1681), Pieter de Hooch, Gabriel Metsu, Jan Steen (1625/1626-1679), and Adriaen van Ostade (1610-1685) The iconic masterpieces on view are Potter’s "A Farrier’s Shop", an oil on panel (1648), Borch’s "The Suitors Visit", a oil on canvas (1658), Hooch’s "A Dutch Courtyard", an oil on canvas
(1658/1660), Metsu’s "The Intruder", an oil on panel (1660), Steen’s "The Dancing Couple", an oil on canvas (1663), and Ostade’s "The Cottage Dooryard", an oil on canvas (1673). The artist’s in this exhibition use both visual elements and principles of design to capture not the people in the painting, but what they are doing.
Potter uses value and implied light in his painting. Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness (92). The shop is painted in dark hues while the outdoors of the painting is painted in light hues. Implied light is the use of value to create the allusion of light in two dimensional art works (91-92). The light is casting down from the upper left of the painting. The shadows of the animals, house, and humans make the painting more realistic. Another Dutch painter employed similar techniques.
Borch used subordination, implied lighting, and color in his painting. Subordination means that certain areas of the composition are purposefully made less visually interesting, so that the areas of emphasis stand out (134). The characters in the background are blurred which emphasizes the two characters in the foreground. The implied lighting is coming from the left, possibly from the open door or a window. The shadows of the characters can be seen on the floor and back walls. Borch uses complimentary harmonies in this painting. Complimentary harmonies involve colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel (97). The woman in the center is dressed in the warm color orange in contrast with the other woman dressed in a cool hue of blue. This contrast guides the viewer too see the main character as well as the other couple in the room. The similarities continue on with our next artist.
In Hooch’s painting he depicts a scene of tranquility and relaxation. The artist emphasizes the geometry of the bricks, walls, and windows. Similar to Borch, Hooch employs complimentary harmonies. The artist uses warm colors against cool colors. He emphasizes points in the painting with the warm hues of Orange in contrast with the blue sky. He uses the color orange in the woman dress, on the brick, and shutters on the windows. Our next painting also uses similar techniques discussed.
Metsu’s depiction of a young man visiting his betrothed is often compared with Borch’s "The Suitors Visit". Similarly Metsu’s also employs subordination, emphasis, and implied lighting in his painting. Emphasis is when the viewer’s attention is drawn more to certain parts of a composition than to others (134). Like Borch’s painting, a man is visiting a woman. Notice the woman, most likely her mother, is sitting near the window. Her face is painted so dark the viewer can vaguely see her smiling. Although this is important to this piece, the artist paints the background blurry and darker in contrast to the woman in the center. Metsu uses color to emphasize the woman in the center. In contrast to the dark surroundings and other characters, she is dressed in light and warm colors. Implied light is caused by the light coming through the window. The lighting puts an emphasis on the woman standing in the center. This effect makes the woman the focal point of the painting. Although our next painter is also Dutch, he uses different techniques than the previous painters.
In contrast to the previous paintings discussed, Steen doesn’t employ deeply contrasting colors or values. The colors are mostly cool shades of blue and green. Steen doesn’t use subordination like the other artists. He does use directional lines to bring the viewers eyes to the couple. The people sitting in the lower right hand corner are facing the couple dancing, the guitarist’s body is turned towards them, and on the left side the mother is holding her little girl as she looks at the dancers. Similarly the painting is of a gathering of a community. Thus far the paintings of the Dutch have been warm and inviting scenes. Our next painter creates a scene that deeply contrasts to previous paintings.
Oastade’s painting depicts the Dutch’s poor. Like Hooch, Ostade used the geometry of his buildings and landscape to emphasize the painting. Unlike the even and clean bricks of Hooch’s landscape, Oastade emphasizes the dirt yard and cluttered surroundings. The color red is used around the painting to attract the viewer’s attention. The arrangement of the clothing line and woman working depicts a less harmonious and merry surrounding than Hooch’s "A Dutch’s Courtyard".
A last note on similarities, notice each painting used the warm shades of red and orange! Many of the Artists in this exhibition trained and painted with one another. It is easy to see the similarities in these masterpieces, as well as their unique differences. These Artists used their skill and the principles in creating wonderful paintings that represent the everyday life and trials of the Dutch in the 1600’s.
Sources:
Getlein, Mark. Living With Art. 8th Edition. McGraw-Hill. 2008
National Gallery of Art. HTTP://WWW.NGA.GOV
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Activity #6 Blog it!
Paulus Potter
Dutch, 1625 - 1654
A Farrier's Shop, 1648
oil on panel
Gerard ter Borch II
Dutch, 1617 - 1681
The Suitor's Visit, c. 1658
oil on canvas
Pieter de Hooch
Dutch, 1629 - 1684
A Dutch Courtyard, 1658/1660
oil on canvas
Gabriel Metsu
Dutch, 1629 - 1667
The Intruder, c. 1660
oil on panel
Jan Steen
Dutch, 1625/1626 - 1679
The Dancing Couple, 1663
oil on canvas
Adriaen van Ostade
Dutch, 1610 - 1685
The Cottage Dooryard, 1673
oil on canvas
Theme: Looking Outward: The Here and Now
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Assignment #5 Write about it: Themes of Art
“Ill-Matched Lovers” an oil on canvas by Quentin Massys and “The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise” also oil on canvas painted by Benjamin West have Themes of Art in their intriguing paintings.
Massys “Ill Matched Lovers” is a portrayal of woman seducing a man and at the same time stealing his coin purse. The title fits the theme and the subject of lust drives the theme. Similarly in West piece the title explains the theme in detail. It explains to the viewer what is going on in the painting. Color is significant in both paintings. Massys uses complimentary harmonies in his painting by painting the woman in cool colors, and the men in warm colors. Complimentary harmonies are colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel (97). West uses color and value in his painting Value is shades of lights and darks (92).
The theme that Massys employs in “Ill-Matched Lovers” is stories. It is often lectured that too lust will surely cause trouble. The example is the Man is so besotted with the woman he doesn’t notice she is stealing his money. Notice his left hand is cupping her right breast, while his right hand is trying to pull her head towards him. West also has a painting where a woman assists in bringing man down.
The casting of Adam and Eve out of Eden is one of the most commonly known stories in history. West painting uses more than just one theme of Art. West employs the sacred realm as well as stories and histories. Notice the Angel is casting Adam and Eve out of Eden. The Garden of Eden is a holy place created by God and was intended to be use by man. But historically Adam was tempted by Eve, who was tempted by the snake. Although the story is not played out in the painting, notice the snake is painted black at the feet of Adam and Eve. Another sign of the scared realm is the implied lighting coming from the sky or the “Heavens”. Implied lighting is the artist use of value to create the impression of light in two dimensional. The artists have used themes of Art to paint very interesting pieces.
Massys “Ill Matched Lovers” is a portrayal of woman seducing a man and at the same time stealing his coin purse. The title fits the theme and the subject of lust drives the theme. Similarly in West piece the title explains the theme in detail. It explains to the viewer what is going on in the painting. Color is significant in both paintings. Massys uses complimentary harmonies in his painting by painting the woman in cool colors, and the men in warm colors. Complimentary harmonies are colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel (97). West uses color and value in his painting Value is shades of lights and darks (92).
The theme that Massys employs in “Ill-Matched Lovers” is stories. It is often lectured that too lust will surely cause trouble. The example is the Man is so besotted with the woman he doesn’t notice she is stealing his money. Notice his left hand is cupping her right breast, while his right hand is trying to pull her head towards him. West also has a painting where a woman assists in bringing man down.
The casting of Adam and Eve out of Eden is one of the most commonly known stories in history. West painting uses more than just one theme of Art. West employs the sacred realm as well as stories and histories. Notice the Angel is casting Adam and Eve out of Eden. The Garden of Eden is a holy place created by God and was intended to be use by man. But historically Adam was tempted by Eve, who was tempted by the snake. Although the story is not played out in the painting, notice the snake is painted black at the feet of Adam and Eve. Another sign of the scared realm is the implied lighting coming from the sky or the “Heavens”. Implied lighting is the artist use of value to create the impression of light in two dimensional. The artists have used themes of Art to paint very interesting pieces.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Assignment #4 Write about it.
Both “Ill-matched Lovers” by Quentin Massys and “The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise” by Benjamin West use the principles of design to create the art work.
Both artist use emphasis. Emphasis means that our attention is drawn more to certain parts of the composition than to others (134). In both pieces the artist employ emphasis through choice of color. In Massys piece the woman becomes the focal point because her dress and complexion deeply contrast with the surroundings. She has a clear complexion and is dressed in cool colors, the victim and accomplice have ruddy complexions and are dressed in warm colors. This emphasis draws the viewers eye to the woman stealing the man’s attention and also stealing his purse. Benjamin West employs emphasis in color by painting the Angel, Adam, and Eve in light shades compared to the surrounding that is dark shades of black and grey. It makes this scene the focal point and draw the viewer sight to the expulsion.
Other principles of design used by these artists are balance and hierarchical scale. Balance is the equal distribution of visual weight which refers to the apparent “heaviness” or “lightness” of the forms arranged in a composition” (125). Massys employs balance by strategically placing a deck of cards below the action of the scene. The contrast of the dark coin purse above the deck of cards brings the viewers attention to the crime. Hierarchical scale is the use of scale to indicate relative importance (138). In West’s piece the light coming from the clouds crosses the top of the angel who is above the man, who is above the woman. This emphasizes the hierarchy of the heavens over the angel, The angel over mankind. The use of principles of design helped these artist create excellent paintings.
Both artist use emphasis. Emphasis means that our attention is drawn more to certain parts of the composition than to others (134). In both pieces the artist employ emphasis through choice of color. In Massys piece the woman becomes the focal point because her dress and complexion deeply contrast with the surroundings. She has a clear complexion and is dressed in cool colors, the victim and accomplice have ruddy complexions and are dressed in warm colors. This emphasis draws the viewers eye to the woman stealing the man’s attention and also stealing his purse. Benjamin West employs emphasis in color by painting the Angel, Adam, and Eve in light shades compared to the surrounding that is dark shades of black and grey. It makes this scene the focal point and draw the viewer sight to the expulsion.
Other principles of design used by these artists are balance and hierarchical scale. Balance is the equal distribution of visual weight which refers to the apparent “heaviness” or “lightness” of the forms arranged in a composition” (125). Massys employs balance by strategically placing a deck of cards below the action of the scene. The contrast of the dark coin purse above the deck of cards brings the viewers attention to the crime. Hierarchical scale is the use of scale to indicate relative importance (138). In West’s piece the light coming from the clouds crosses the top of the angel who is above the man, who is above the woman. This emphasizes the hierarchy of the heavens over the angel, The angel over mankind. The use of principles of design helped these artist create excellent paintings.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Activity #2 essay
In 1791 American painter Benjamin West created an amazing oil on canvas, “The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.” Near the year 1520/1525 an artist name Quentin Massys, painted the “Ill-Matched Lovers”, also oil on canvas. Both paintings have elements of design that create two striking pieces of art that have similarities and differences.
Some similarities are the artist’s use of dark and light values. Value is the variation of lights and darks (92). Notice in Benjamin West’s piece the Angel, Adam, and Eve are painted in light shades of white and then it recedes to darker shades of grey and black. Shade is a color darker than the hue’s normal value (96). Quentin Massys employed dark and light values into his painting. Notice the man, woman, and thief are dressed in rich colors and than it recedes the dark background.
In Massys painting he employs complimentary harmonies. Complimentary Harmonies involve colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel (97). The man’s clothing is reds and greens, which are the most obvious pairings. The woman is dress in green and the accomplice in reds. In West painting the three main hues and shades are of orange, white, and black. Both artist have created colorful paintings and interesting paintings using elements of design.
Class Text. Living With Art
Http://nga.gov
Some similarities are the artist’s use of dark and light values. Value is the variation of lights and darks (92). Notice in Benjamin West’s piece the Angel, Adam, and Eve are painted in light shades of white and then it recedes to darker shades of grey and black. Shade is a color darker than the hue’s normal value (96). Quentin Massys employed dark and light values into his painting. Notice the man, woman, and thief are dressed in rich colors and than it recedes the dark background.
In Massys painting he employs complimentary harmonies. Complimentary Harmonies involve colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel (97). The man’s clothing is reds and greens, which are the most obvious pairings. The woman is dress in green and the accomplice in reds. In West painting the three main hues and shades are of orange, white, and black. Both artist have created colorful paintings and interesting paintings using elements of design.
Class Text. Living With Art
Http://nga.gov
Activity #1 Online Museum visit
Quentin MassysNetherlandish, c. 1465/1466 - 1530Ill-Matched Lovers, c. 1520/1525oil on panel, 43.2 x 63 cm (17 x 24 13/16 in.) Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund1971.55.1
Benjamin WestAmerican, 1738 - 1820The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, 1791oil on canvas, 186.8 x 278.1 cm (73 9/16 x 109 1/2 in.) Avalon Fund and Patrons' Permanent Fund1989.12.1
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