Art 101 Final Exam:Musuem Visit
Final Museum
The world contains innumerable amount of artist and artworks. One artist is Martin Johnson Heade who had a unique vision all of his own. In 1871 he created, “Cattleya Orchid and Three Brazilian Hummingbirds”, oil on wood. Heade was an American artist who was inspired to paint this realistic painting after visiting South America and observing the hummingbirds (National Gallery.) This painting could be considered part of the Realist period. As our book defines, Realism depicted the everyday and ordinary life unlike the romantics(508.) Another artist is Horace Vernet, a French artist. In 1833 Vernet created, “Hunting in the Pontine Marshes”, oil on canvas. Although Vernet was French, this painting was painted in Italy. Vernet belonged to the romantic movement which our textbook explains that romantics created and explored the claims of emotions, intuition and most importantly imagination (Getlein 507.) While each art is made in its own unique way, following the vision of the artist, many artworks follow basic criteria. Most paintings have a subject or topic, specific design qualities including the use of lines, space and colors, a specific mood, how the artist wanted you to feel while viewing the artwork, certain mediums, techniques and specific styles. Both of these artist embodied this art criteria and demonstrate it in their work.
Every art work has a subject matter or topic. Heade and Vernet vocalize their own opinions and beliefs differently through their artwork. Heade displays his great appreciation for the beauty of nature. He paints his painting to nature’s exact likeness. Many artist critics would argue that this was a still life painting because of the great detail Heade used; however, this painting was painted weeks after his observance of the hummingbirds. Unlike Heade, Vernet values nature in a different perspective. Vernet paints nature gigantic compared to the hunting men; this suggest Vernet believes that nature is far to big and important to be bothered by the insignificant presence of man. Even though both artist used artworks of nature to express their individual views, both paintings represent very different meanings. Both artist also use certain design elements to portray these messages.
Artist use different design bases and elements to create their artworks. These design bases and elements includes balance, line, shapes, colors, scale, perspective and emphasis. Both Heade and Vernet utilize design bases and elements. In Heade’s painting, “Cattleya Orchid..”, the flower holds the visual weight which is what initially grabs the viewers attention (125.) The shape and color of the flower stands out compared to the rest of the painting (87) which makes the main focus, figure, in this painting, the flower (89.) Heade balances the flower asymmetrically, evenly distributing visual balance on both sides, by using a lot of smaller detail on the other side of the painting, the small hummingbirds and tree branches (129.) This painting also employs atmospheric perspective which gives the background a never ending appearance(113.) The background of this painting is subordinate (134), less visually interesting because it is painted with less intensity (88), which puts an emphasis (134), more attention, on the various hues (88) in the flower and the hummingbirds Head also strategically uses brighter colors on the humming birds in order to pull the viewers eyes from the pale purple flower. The artist used complimentary colors which are colors directly across from each other on the color wheel, in order to compliment the flower with its stem (97.) Heade used a variety of different colors, open palette , to paint this picture(98.) While the flower is drawn in proportion, sizes fit each other, to the hummingbirds because these birds are particularly small, the background is painted on a smaller scale(136.) Heade's painting does not have a particular rhythm or pattern but it is unified by nature (122.)
While Horace Vernet's "Hunting…”, the white tree in the middle of the painting holds the most visual weight (125.) This becomes the paintings figure, the main focus, because it stands out compared to the dark background or ground(89.)The background is comprised mainly of monochromatic color because the artist uses different variations of the color green (97.) This also contributes to the atmospheric perspective which gives the painting a look of ongoing woodland (113.) Like Heade, Vernet also uses color to divert the viewers attention, he uses an intense or purity in color of orange in the leaves of the broken tree branch which falls down into the water which redirects your attention to the small boat floating on the river (96.) Unlike Heade, Vernet uses a restricted palette, very few colors, when he painted this picture. Like Heade, Vernet balances his painting asymmetrically, the boat is evened out with the broken tree branch hanging over the water and the other trees and braches in the background are visually distributed equally on either side. The trees are on a larger scale than the men and their boat (137.) Which means that the trees are not proportioned or size related to the size of the boat. (137.) The artist emphasizes the size of the trees by making them larger and using the vertical lines of the vines hanging from the trees to give the woods an enormous appearance in comparison to the small boat. Like Heade this particular painting does not use a rhythm or pattern, it is unified by the woodland and nature that surrounds it (122.) However both Haede and Vernet, gave their paintings a two-dimensional or flat appearance.
Both artist wanted to create a relaxed feeling. Heade and Vernet utilized warm colors, colors ranged on the orange curve in the color wheel (95.), which give the viewer a warm or secure feeling. Both artist created beauty in nature. When a viewer looks at both paintings they are given the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature. The delicate fluttering hummingbirds in Heade’s painting suggest tranquility. While Vernet’ monstrous forest suggest that man can not disturb nature even when they want too. These two artist help give the viewer a better appreciation on wildlife.
Artist also use specific mediums and techniques. The medium is the material that a work of art is made on (585); while techniques are the way it was painted(586.) Heade painted, “Cattleya…”, on wood with nonaqueous paint, paint that is diluted with turpentine or mineral spirits not water, and applied to a wood base, area which the artist painted on (168.) The artist may have used a ground or primer, a preliminary coating that is applied to the wood (168), in order to prevent the wood from cracking which was common (173.) Since oil paint takes a long time to dry, Heade was able to blend the colors in the background together without worrying about the painting separating or cracking (173.) This would also allow Heade to accent the details in the flower and hummingbirds because he would have been able to work on them until he had them just right (173.) The artist may have also used a technique called glazing, applying thin layers on top of thick layers of paint, in order to give the painting it's smooth, glossy appearance (175.) Because Heade used oil on wood, the viewer is able to see a long lasting beautiful layered painting. While Horace Vernet's "Hunting..”, is much like Heade's in respect with mediums and techniques. Vernet's painting also used no aqueous paint (168.) However, Vernet used a canvas base instead of wood. Since the canvas was stretched over a wood frame, it was less unlikely to break or crack (173.) This gives Vernet a lot more time to paint and less time for him to worry about the surface cracking (173.) Just as Heade would have used, Vernet probably used a ground or primer to start his painting which would have also been an oil based paint usually white (173.) Vernet also had the advantage of taking his time perfecting his painting, layering the details on and blending the background of the forest together until it was perfect just as Heade did by using oil paints (173.) Like Heade's painting, it appears that Vernet may have also used the technique of glazing, applying thin layers of paint, in order to give his painting a smooth, glossy, glowing color appearance(175.) Vernet constructed a beautiful, vibrant, eye catching painting using a canvas medium and a glazing technique.
Artist also incorporate a specific style. The style refers to the time period or the manner in which it was painted (587.) Martin Johnson Heade's "Cattleya…”, is a painting that demonstrates a precise style and helps define the Realist period (nga.) As our book defines, Realism depicted the everyday and ordinary life(508.) While his early paintings were portraits that were known to be stiff and unsophisticated, Heade was eventually inspired to experiment with landscapes around the 1850’s (nga.) With his new found inspiration of painting intimate and less dramatic landscape Heade entered the movement of Realist. This movement was geared toward showing life as it was happening, a true account of the world (508.) Heade's painting displays an accurate account of what Heade saw on one of his visits to South America (nga.) Heade applied precise detail that this painting could be considered a still life even though he did not paint it in the field (nga.) Heade painted this scene along with many of his other works in a naturalistic style, recording how forms are revealed by light and shadow, the way images truly look naturally (29.) The form, the way the artwork looks, and the content, what the artwork is about, displays the beauty Heade found in nature (36.) Heade expressed his appreciation for nature the way he painted his landscaped with exact detail in a realist style.
painting could be considered part of the Realist period. This painting shows with great detail an everyday view of an orchid in South America.While both artist painted their artworks in relatively the same time period, their cultural backgrounds and inspired styles belong to two separate eras in art. While Vernet inspires imagination, Heade inspired nature's true beauty. Vernet’s , "Hunting..”, depicts a similar style to Heade but belonged to a very different movement. Vernet’s awe inspiring "Hunting in the Pontine Marshes" helps define a Romantic movement. Romantic artist explored the realms of emotion, intuition and above all imagination (507.) Like Heade, Vernet was also inspired by nature; however, Vernet exercised his imagination in this particular painting by creating an imaginary world which expresses an important message. While Vernet also incorporated a naturalistic style as Heade did, Vernet used his imagination to depict the world around him instead of actual accounts (29.) He painted his imaginary scenery the way it would appear in real life, the way the sun would shine through the trees and the darker background as it would appear (29.) The form depicts an outside world while the context describes Vernet view of the world, men are far too small to bother the giant world of nature (36.) Even though both artist were inspired by similar atmospheres, they both incorporated very different styles., they both expressed themselves through different movements. While both artist painted their artworks in relatively the same time period, their cultural backgrounds and inspired styles belong to two separate eras in art. While Vernet inspires imagination, Heade inspired nature's true beauty.
While both of these works of art use precise design, create a mood, use specific mediums and techniques and extenuate a specific style, they represent a powerful meaning. At first I choose these two paintings because I just liked the way they looked. However, I can now appreciate them for different qualities. I understand that the colors each artist used were chosen specifically, the shape and size were created with a certain purpose and even the themes were chosen to speak to the viewers. I now appreciate Heade’s value of the beauty of nature and Vernet’s awe and wonder in the power of nature.
Works CitedGelatin, Mark Living With Art, Eighth Edition, New York 2008.National Gallery of Art http://www.nga.gov./
The world contains innumerable amount of artist and artworks. One artist is Martin Johnson Heade who had a unique vision all of his own. In 1871 he created, “Cattleya Orchid and Three Brazilian Hummingbirds”, oil on wood. Heade was an American artist who was inspired to paint this realistic painting after visiting South America and observing the hummingbirds (National Gallery.) This painting could be considered part of the Realist period. As our book defines, Realism depicted the everyday and ordinary life unlike the romantics(508.) Another artist is Horace Vernet, a French artist. In 1833 Vernet created, “Hunting in the Pontine Marshes”, oil on canvas. Although Vernet was French, this painting was painted in Italy. Vernet belonged to the romantic movement which our textbook explains that romantics created and explored the claims of emotions, intuition and most importantly imagination (Getlein 507.) While each art is made in its own unique way, following the vision of the artist, many artworks follow basic criteria. Most paintings have a subject or topic, specific design qualities including the use of lines, space and colors, a specific mood, how the artist wanted you to feel while viewing the artwork, certain mediums, techniques and specific styles. Both of these artist embodied this art criteria and demonstrate it in their work.
Every art work has a subject matter or topic. Heade and Vernet vocalize their own opinions and beliefs differently through their artwork. Heade displays his great appreciation for the beauty of nature. He paints his painting to nature’s exact likeness. Many artist critics would argue that this was a still life painting because of the great detail Heade used; however, this painting was painted weeks after his observance of the hummingbirds. Unlike Heade, Vernet values nature in a different perspective. Vernet paints nature gigantic compared to the hunting men; this suggest Vernet believes that nature is far to big and important to be bothered by the insignificant presence of man. Even though both artist used artworks of nature to express their individual views, both paintings represent very different meanings. Both artist also use certain design elements to portray these messages.
Artist use different design bases and elements to create their artworks. These design bases and elements includes balance, line, shapes, colors, scale, perspective and emphasis. Both Heade and Vernet utilize design bases and elements. In Heade’s painting, “Cattleya Orchid..”, the flower holds the visual weight which is what initially grabs the viewers attention (125.) The shape and color of the flower stands out compared to the rest of the painting (87) which makes the main focus, figure, in this painting, the flower (89.) Heade balances the flower asymmetrically, evenly distributing visual balance on both sides, by using a lot of smaller detail on the other side of the painting, the small hummingbirds and tree branches (129.) This painting also employs atmospheric perspective which gives the background a never ending appearance(113.) The background of this painting is subordinate (134), less visually interesting because it is painted with less intensity (88), which puts an emphasis (134), more attention, on the various hues (88) in the flower and the hummingbirds Head also strategically uses brighter colors on the humming birds in order to pull the viewers eyes from the pale purple flower. The artist used complimentary colors which are colors directly across from each other on the color wheel, in order to compliment the flower with its stem (97.) Heade used a variety of different colors, open palette , to paint this picture(98.) While the flower is drawn in proportion, sizes fit each other, to the hummingbirds because these birds are particularly small, the background is painted on a smaller scale(136.) Heade's painting does not have a particular rhythm or pattern but it is unified by nature (122.)
While Horace Vernet's "Hunting…”, the white tree in the middle of the painting holds the most visual weight (125.) This becomes the paintings figure, the main focus, because it stands out compared to the dark background or ground(89.)The background is comprised mainly of monochromatic color because the artist uses different variations of the color green (97.) This also contributes to the atmospheric perspective which gives the painting a look of ongoing woodland (113.) Like Heade, Vernet also uses color to divert the viewers attention, he uses an intense or purity in color of orange in the leaves of the broken tree branch which falls down into the water which redirects your attention to the small boat floating on the river (96.) Unlike Heade, Vernet uses a restricted palette, very few colors, when he painted this picture. Like Heade, Vernet balances his painting asymmetrically, the boat is evened out with the broken tree branch hanging over the water and the other trees and braches in the background are visually distributed equally on either side. The trees are on a larger scale than the men and their boat (137.) Which means that the trees are not proportioned or size related to the size of the boat. (137.) The artist emphasizes the size of the trees by making them larger and using the vertical lines of the vines hanging from the trees to give the woods an enormous appearance in comparison to the small boat. Like Heade this particular painting does not use a rhythm or pattern, it is unified by the woodland and nature that surrounds it (122.) However both Haede and Vernet, gave their paintings a two-dimensional or flat appearance.
Both artist wanted to create a relaxed feeling. Heade and Vernet utilized warm colors, colors ranged on the orange curve in the color wheel (95.), which give the viewer a warm or secure feeling. Both artist created beauty in nature. When a viewer looks at both paintings they are given the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature. The delicate fluttering hummingbirds in Heade’s painting suggest tranquility. While Vernet’ monstrous forest suggest that man can not disturb nature even when they want too. These two artist help give the viewer a better appreciation on wildlife.
Artist also use specific mediums and techniques. The medium is the material that a work of art is made on (585); while techniques are the way it was painted(586.) Heade painted, “Cattleya…”, on wood with nonaqueous paint, paint that is diluted with turpentine or mineral spirits not water, and applied to a wood base, area which the artist painted on (168.) The artist may have used a ground or primer, a preliminary coating that is applied to the wood (168), in order to prevent the wood from cracking which was common (173.) Since oil paint takes a long time to dry, Heade was able to blend the colors in the background together without worrying about the painting separating or cracking (173.) This would also allow Heade to accent the details in the flower and hummingbirds because he would have been able to work on them until he had them just right (173.) The artist may have also used a technique called glazing, applying thin layers on top of thick layers of paint, in order to give the painting it's smooth, glossy appearance (175.) Because Heade used oil on wood, the viewer is able to see a long lasting beautiful layered painting. While Horace Vernet's "Hunting..”, is much like Heade's in respect with mediums and techniques. Vernet's painting also used no aqueous paint (168.) However, Vernet used a canvas base instead of wood. Since the canvas was stretched over a wood frame, it was less unlikely to break or crack (173.) This gives Vernet a lot more time to paint and less time for him to worry about the surface cracking (173.) Just as Heade would have used, Vernet probably used a ground or primer to start his painting which would have also been an oil based paint usually white (173.) Vernet also had the advantage of taking his time perfecting his painting, layering the details on and blending the background of the forest together until it was perfect just as Heade did by using oil paints (173.) Like Heade's painting, it appears that Vernet may have also used the technique of glazing, applying thin layers of paint, in order to give his painting a smooth, glossy, glowing color appearance(175.) Vernet constructed a beautiful, vibrant, eye catching painting using a canvas medium and a glazing technique.
Artist also incorporate a specific style. The style refers to the time period or the manner in which it was painted (587.) Martin Johnson Heade's "Cattleya…”, is a painting that demonstrates a precise style and helps define the Realist period (nga.) As our book defines, Realism depicted the everyday and ordinary life(508.) While his early paintings were portraits that were known to be stiff and unsophisticated, Heade was eventually inspired to experiment with landscapes around the 1850’s (nga.) With his new found inspiration of painting intimate and less dramatic landscape Heade entered the movement of Realist. This movement was geared toward showing life as it was happening, a true account of the world (508.) Heade's painting displays an accurate account of what Heade saw on one of his visits to South America (nga.) Heade applied precise detail that this painting could be considered a still life even though he did not paint it in the field (nga.) Heade painted this scene along with many of his other works in a naturalistic style, recording how forms are revealed by light and shadow, the way images truly look naturally (29.) The form, the way the artwork looks, and the content, what the artwork is about, displays the beauty Heade found in nature (36.) Heade expressed his appreciation for nature the way he painted his landscaped with exact detail in a realist style.
painting could be considered part of the Realist period. This painting shows with great detail an everyday view of an orchid in South America.While both artist painted their artworks in relatively the same time period, their cultural backgrounds and inspired styles belong to two separate eras in art. While Vernet inspires imagination, Heade inspired nature's true beauty. Vernet’s , "Hunting..”, depicts a similar style to Heade but belonged to a very different movement. Vernet’s awe inspiring "Hunting in the Pontine Marshes" helps define a Romantic movement. Romantic artist explored the realms of emotion, intuition and above all imagination (507.) Like Heade, Vernet was also inspired by nature; however, Vernet exercised his imagination in this particular painting by creating an imaginary world which expresses an important message. While Vernet also incorporated a naturalistic style as Heade did, Vernet used his imagination to depict the world around him instead of actual accounts (29.) He painted his imaginary scenery the way it would appear in real life, the way the sun would shine through the trees and the darker background as it would appear (29.) The form depicts an outside world while the context describes Vernet view of the world, men are far too small to bother the giant world of nature (36.) Even though both artist were inspired by similar atmospheres, they both incorporated very different styles., they both expressed themselves through different movements. While both artist painted their artworks in relatively the same time period, their cultural backgrounds and inspired styles belong to two separate eras in art. While Vernet inspires imagination, Heade inspired nature's true beauty.
While both of these works of art use precise design, create a mood, use specific mediums and techniques and extenuate a specific style, they represent a powerful meaning. At first I choose these two paintings because I just liked the way they looked. However, I can now appreciate them for different qualities. I understand that the colors each artist used were chosen specifically, the shape and size were created with a certain purpose and even the themes were chosen to speak to the viewers. I now appreciate Heade’s value of the beauty of nature and Vernet’s awe and wonder in the power of nature.
Works CitedGelatin, Mark Living With Art, Eighth Edition, New York 2008.National Gallery of Art http://www.nga.gov./
posted by christyo at
12:16 PM
1 Comments:
Good, a little long, could use some editing. But good, Christy.
brew
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