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by
Steve Amoia
Introduction to Humanities University Course
1. Subject: The Dancer, by Auguste Renoir. 1874.
Location: National Gallery of Art,
West Wing, Gallery 89.
Brief Description:
The Dancer, by Auguste Renoir,
is an elegant rectangular portrait of a young ballerina. The subject, who poses solitary
in a ballet stance, has light golden hair, an oval face, blue almond-shaped eyes accented
by black eye brows, along with strawberry lips and rouge cheeks. The young girl is wearing
a sky blue costume and soft pink dancing shoes.
Analysis:
I found the portrait to be captivating and harmonic. The image is one of stillness;
however, a flowing quality is discernible in the painting. The work is a model of economy,
balance, grace and rhythm. Although the subject appears alone, one is not engulfed by its
dominance, due to the well-proportioned use of space.
I observed a fan-like, triangular symmetry that remained consistent throughout the
work. The lines are evident in the manner that the girl's hair falls down upon her
shoulders, along with the relationship of the hair bow and the shoulder straps. The
triangular pattern is repeated in the placement of her arms and hands, the posture of her
sinewy legs and feet, and above all, within the configuration of her flowing blue skirt.
In terms of shape, I also viewed a use of ovals, which were evident in the subject's
face and eyes, and in the wrist and neck bracelets. The shape of the skirt has a gyrating
quality about it, for it gives the illusion of movement, which provides a vivid contrast
to the general fixed posture of the portrait.
The colors and soft texture of the brush strokes had a soothing appeal to me. The green
and light yellow shaded background promote the impression of stage lighting, which further
emphasized the dance theme. The artist employs different values of blue, ranging from sky,
magenta, to an almost white, fluffy stroked shade found in the fringes of the skirt. The
brief use of thicker strokes of black, red, and pink provided an interesting contrast to
an otherwise aesthetic perspective.
2. Subject: La Condesa de Chincon, by Francisco de Goya. 1783.
Location: National Gallery of Art, West Wing, Gallery 37.
Brief Description:
La Condesa de Chincon, by
Francisco de Goya, is a large square portrait of a very young girl (two years and nine
months as stated in the bottom left corner by Mr. de Goya). The subject, who has a round
face, blue eyes, and blond hair, is attired in a blue blouse and long black skirt. The
young girl is standing in front of a rectangular ledge, flanked by plants on her left, and
by a small dog on the right. Mountains and hillsides can be seen in the background.
Analysis:
In my estimation, this work is a combination of symmetry and variety. There were
repetitions of triangular lines in this painting, which were represented by the mountain
slopes, the distance between the top of the girl's veil to the placement of her arms
against her torso, and finally, the shape of her flared skirt.
Rectangular shapes were present, especially as seen in the well-detailed ledge. I also
observed a rectangular box pattern in the long flowing veil that the subject was wearing.
In terms of color, there is great variety. The background contains forest green, light and
dark grey, and a brief touch of brown. In the foreground, the value of green changed in
the plants, for they appeared more vivid. The foreground colors also included gray,
celestial blue, white, and midnight black. The shade of brown in the dog's face was darker
than what was found on the dirt floor.
Differences in the stroke texture were contrasted in the precise lines found in the
ledge, as compared to the fuzzy composition of the mountains and accompanying hillside.
There was fine detail work in the plant life. The lace in the girl's veil and blouse had
an embroidered appearance; however, the dog is presented as a shaggy blur.
This work is well-proportioned and displays a fine use of space. The viewer sees many
contrasting themes, such as the dog versus the child, the plants versus the mountains, and
the dirt floor as compared to the clean gray ledge.
Comparison Of Both Subjects:
The works shared similarities in the following areas: young girls as central subjects,
oval faces, triangular linear perspective, contrast of stroke texture, and the elegant use
of blue in the costume designs.
With respects to differences, I observed several. Renoir's portrait is harmonic. The
ballerina is the dominant feature of the work, whereas de Goya provides a variety of
themes in his painting. Renoir is not as specific in defining his physical environment,
for one can only assume that it is indoors. By comparison, it is unmistakable that de
Goya's painting takes place outdoors, due to the surrounding elements. De Goya's setting
gives his work an earthy appeal, which contrasts with the aesthetic quality found in
Renoir's subject.
The Dancer, although poised and erect, provides an illusion of movement, whereas the mountains and ledge from La Condesa de Chincon demonstrate permanence. The environment of de Goya's work includes human, plant, animal, and natural elements. Renoir's work concentrates only upon the human perspective.
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