Paper Example on Structure of Art

Boy Leading a Horse by Pablo Picasso utilizes a monochromatic color scheme. This is evident in the dominant use of brown that links all the elements to each other while sticking to realistic hues. The artist depicts a human being and nature in total harmony. The painting shows a naked young boy with an outstretched right arm and hand made into a fist. On his right is a splendid white horse. The two move forward together, linked by the slanting of their heads and by posture. In the absence of reigns, the bond between man and nature triggers harmony in their movement (Sachant, Blood, LeMieux & Tekippe, 2016 p, 62).

Joy of Life by Henri Matisse utilizes an analogous color scheme in that the colors in the painting are from one side of the color wheel. It is a large-scale work of art that portrays an Arcadian landscape made up of an excellently colored combination of forest, sky, meadow, and sea. It is full of nude figures some of which are in motion while others are at rest. In the painting, color responds only to the canvas formal needs and emotional expression rather than to realities of nature. The painting is quite revolutionary in the way it expressively utilizes color and simplifies the human form. Pictorial space is used to create a world in which viewers can enter as well as a landscape their minds can play in (Sachant, Blood, LeMieux & Tekippe, 2016 p, 62).

The five principles of design are unity/variety, scale/proportion, balance, emphasis/movement, and rhythm/ repetition. (Sachant, Blood, LeMieux & Tekippe, 2016 p, 63). The sculpture by Augustus Saint Gaudens titled The Puritan contains several of these principles. It honors a man called Deacon Samuel Chapin, who was one the first people to settle in Springfield town in Massachusetts. The sculptures cape and hat throw large and deep shadows that put emphasis on the bulk of its body while also inducing a dark, gloomy mood. The most apparent textures are found on the Bible it holds and the staff. The ridged clasps and edges of the Bible go a long way in helping set the sculpture off from the smooth cape and vest surfaces. The staff has a rough texture that attracts attention and gives it the appearance of a weapon as opposed to an instrument of support or a stylish accessory.

The Puritan is somehow symmetrical mainly because its cape comes down on both sides in roughly the same folds. Such symmetry contributes to making the sculpture appear solid, stable, and unlikely to wobble despite the fact that the figure is striding forward. It is also worth looking at the function of the hat. The wide brim is meant to balance the width of the cape while also helping draw the eye in an upward direction. If the viewer covers the hat with his or her hand when looking at The Puritan, the head will appear far too tiny when compared to the remainder of the figure.

Early Sunday Morning by Edward Hopper depicts a row of linked buildings with shops on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. The viewer immediately observes a tilted barbers pole that is slightly off-center. Together with the fireplug, this pole interrupts a recurring horizontal pattern formed by the windows. One of the stores is painted the color red, with two signs that balance both sides of the painting. The painting has long and deep shadows that add to the horizontal and vertical essential geometry of this work of art.

References

Sachant, P., Blood, P., LeMieux, J., & Tekippe, R. (2016). Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning.