Paul Gauguin Painting Analysis Essay Example For Students

Paul Gauguin Painting Analysis Essay Texture The texture of this painting is smooth but very layered and it is a stimulated texture as it is trying to imitate texture and in this case he used a thick paint to build up textures. This is also adds to the #D feeling of the surface. Tone or Tonal Value This artwork has a medium contrast which means there are a balanced amounts of black, white and grays. Line This artwork consists of straight, curved, flowing, hard, soft-edged, continuous and bold lines. The lines are all natural edges of shapes and the lines are often used to outline the shapes such as the people to make them stand out and have a definite shape. Form As this painting was painted on a flat surface, the objects are painted to look like 3D forms or feel round due to shading inside the object from light to dark and shadows which are cast on surfaces they are placed on. One can notice an immediate shadow under one of the men which has his back faced to the viewer. This shows that it is a 3D object and consumes volume and space. Shape The shapes in this artwork are mostly organic (natural) shapes. Color This artwork consists of: -Primary colours such as blue and yellow -Secondary colors such as green, orange and some purple -Tertiary colors such as yellow-green and red-orange -Cold colors such blue, green and green-yellow -The colors also contrast greatly with each other and many bright colours are used Space The positive space consists of all the humans and living things which are mostly in the foreground and the rest of the painting such as a mix of colours to create the background is the negative space. Perspective/Depth Perspective is used in this artwork to create an illusion or an impression of depth and also to create a 3D effect. The way in which it was achieved was by atmospheric perspective where objects such as mountains are blue due to the amount of atmosphere between the artist and the mountain and in this case it is true. It was also achieved by using diminution of size/scale which is where all the objects in the foreground are bigger than the ones in the background. Principles of Art Balance As one can see, this art work is not balanced by the same number of people on each side but the dark browns balance out light turquoise-blue on the right hand side. Therefore because the right has more objects, a lighter colour has been used to weigh it out. This is asymmetrical balance where objects are more on the one side and to restore balance, the other side is darkened to feel heavier. Repetition The colors are used more than once, especially the same colors of yellow, orange, blue and brown. This creates unity and also creates visual rhythm. Contrast The colors contrast greatly in this artwork. Colors such as green and red and orange and blue are placed next to one another which are complimentary colors. The lighter colors stand out in contrast to the darker background. These factors all create excitement and visual interest. Variety There is a lot of variety in this artwork as the colors contrast so greatly and no two figures or any objects are the same. It attracts one’s attention and adds visual interest, it also keeps the attention of the viewer as there is so much to see and a story to be told but without it being overpowering. Focal Point The eye is immediately drawn to the figure standing just to the right of the middle of the painting. It is eye grabbing, as it is the lightest figure as well as the biggest. It is also the only figure standing up in the foreground and the only figure in the painting with both arms reaching up as well as its head looking up. Because of this, it is almost isolated and therefore the focal point. .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 , .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .postImageUrl , .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 , .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:hover , .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:visited , .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:active { border:0!important; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:active , .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2 .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf968f69fc6671cf26d0ca06d9b60d5b2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Popular modern styles of painting EssayMovement This painting is supposed to be read like a story book from right to left, starting with the baby and ending with the old figure next to the duck. Because of this, there is a rhythm by the way in which the figures lead to another. The rhythm goes from the bottom right hand corner, up to the top of the painting and then back down again in the bottom left hand corner.