Principle of Art: Balance

Symmetry/Symmetrical Balance An image is mirrored across a horizontal or vertical axis. Richard Ryan, Two Spheres

Symmetry can often convey peace, stillness, and strength when used to organize a composition. Buddha Amoghasiddhi with Eight Bodhisattvas ca. 1200–1250
Tibet (Central regions)
Distemper on cloth 27 1/8 x 21 1/4 in.

Is this design symmetrical Is this design symmetrical? What would the artist have to do to make it so?

Too much symmetry can make for a dull composition—the viewer knows exactly what to expect.

Approximate Symmetry A piece is not exactly mirrored across an axis, but is close enough to give the impression of symmetry Wassily Kandinsky, Penetrating Green

Approximate symmetry over a horizontal axis Jeff Koons, Lobster Mustache

Radial Symmetry Images have a fixed central point, and elements spiral out from that central point. Radially balanced images will be mirrored over both the vertical and horizontal axis. Jasper Johns, Target w Four Faces

Takashi Murakami, Jellyfish Eyes, Nega

Radial Symmetry Mandala of Jnanadakini Detail of the mandala Mandala of Jnanadakini late 14th century
Tibet (a Sakya monastery)
Distemper on cloth 33 1/4 x 28 7/8 in. Mandalas are spiritual symbols common in Buddhist and Hindu religions. They represent the universe and their circular form, often characterized by radial symmetry, representing unity and completeness. The form of the mandala has neither beginning or end, suggesting eternal truths. This mandala is in the form of an extraordinary palace seen from above.

Asymmetry In asymmetrical pieces, there is no mirroring over either horizontal or vertical axis. Warhol, Car Crash This piece is not mirrored across the vertical axis. Do you think it is balanced?

Is it possible to achieve balance without symmetry?

Is this piece balanced across either axis? Titian, The Adoration of the Child

In an asymmetrically balanced composition, elements on one side of the axis will be answered by something on the other side. In this painting, there are several large figures in the right foreground. The artist has included two smaller figures in the distance to the left, so as not to make this image too heavy on the right. The activity on the front right is answered by the depth on the left. Pierre de Chavonnes, Summer

George Bellows Between Rounds, 1923
Lithograph
18 1/4 x 14 3/4 inches

Think of composing a design like balancing a scale: both sides don’t have to be identical to be balanced. A pound of feathers would be equal to a pound of lead, though visually they look very different.

Alexander Calder, Mobile Do Calder’s mobiles have a sense of balance? How is he achieving this?

Balance? Kasimir Malevich Ask the students: does this piece have a sense of balance? Why would an artist want to make an image that is unbalanced? How is he using color to help achieve some balance (the strong red of the bottom square helps to draw attention away from the dynamic larger form, give the comp a sense of stability) Kasimir Malevich