Today you will learn about the infamous… Art Viewing Guide
THIS WHOLE PAGE SHOULD BE COVERED WITH WRITING WHEN YOU ARE DONE. How to Do an… Find in caption Physical: where it is, surrounding (more important for sculpture) Cultural Context: story behind the work, purpose, etc. List what is in the picture Draw image Identify: tell what you’re talking about and where it is Describe: tell how it is used Explain: tell what affect that has on the viewer or why you think the artist did it that way Do “Identify, Describe, Explain” for each element or principle Choose ONE thing to talk about on each element or principle, but go into detail using “Identify, Describe, Explain” technique. THIS WHOLE PAGE SHOULD BE COVERED WITH WRITING WHEN YOU ARE DONE.
Title: The Arnolfini Portrait Artist: Jan van Eyck Date: 1434 Place: National Gallery, London, England Style: Portrait Media: Oil on Wood www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt -
Sketch: Who is the subject? www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt - Who is the subject?
Northern Renaissance Art Painted in the Netherlands Narrative Meant to document impt. historical event: marriage Why important? Netherlands just as good as Italy 2 impt. people painted by the most important local artist record of their marriage (legal document) Commentary on obligations of 15th century marriage What does this painting say about marriage in the 15th century? Cultural Context
www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt - Signature
www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt - Close up of candle
www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt - Close up of mirror
Line Identify: Describe: Explain: All lines in painting going towards the mirror Describe: Straight, implied lines of linear perspective Explain: Lines bring focus to the mirror (vanishing point) Shows technical expertise, legal document, and Christianity of home
Color Identify: Describe: Explain: Giovanna’s dress Complimentary colors of the red and green bring out the green of her dress. Draws audience’s eye Explain: Green symbolizes fertility, sexuality Shows her role is to have babies Yes! Green but no baby
Form Identify: Describe: Explain: Glass of mirror; half sphere Convex Shows technical expertise, legal document
Texture Identify: Describe: Explain: Arnolfini’s Coat the trim Smooth, soft, etc. Explain: Shows how he made his money
Space Identify: Describe: Explain: Positive Space of Arnolfini’s the Arnolfini’s take up most of the area allowed for the painting. They have positive space. Explain: they are the subject
Balance Identify: Describe: Explain: symmetrical balance Left side- the window and Giovanni are weighted evenly with the bed and Giovanna on the right side of the painting Explain: shows both individuals as being equal
Contrast Identify: Describe: Explain: oranges below window orange color and brown color contrast sphere contrasts with rectangular prism Explain: makes the oranges stand out shows Arnolfini’s wealth
Rhythm/Repetition Identify: Describe: Explain: puppy Repeated lines, texture, color creates a rhythm Explain: shows the movement within the puppy’s fur shows van Eyck showing off
Emphasis Identify: Describe: Explain: Giovanni’s shoes value is used to emphasize Giovanni’s shoes the shoes and area around it have more light Explain: shows Giovanni’s a man of the world (compare to where Giovanna’s shoes are)
Unity Identify: Describe: Explain: 2 most important elements that tie the work together line/space Describe: the lines of the painting draw the audience’s eye through the painting and to a central point space- clearly shows the subject of the painting Explain: makes the audience see this painting as both legal and spiritual Unity