A Family Feast

A Family Feast Amber Raiford ENG-1313 Writing in a Digital World 17 October 2013

A Family Feast

Thanksgiving is a holiday that most Americans know about, even if they dont celebrate it. It has become a tradition every year, to gather family, friends and food, and feast in the festivities. However, not everyone has the same interpretation of the popular holiday. Figure 1 is Norman Rockwells painting Freedom from Want pictures a fairly normal American family enjoying thanksgiving. However, John Currin, painted a different story which was more obscure. Figure 2 is Currins picture of three girls, who look to be preparing for the holiday, but are extremely unorganized. These paintings opposed each other in contrast, legibility and mood. As you look at both pictures on the same page, your eyes immediately flow the brighter picture, whose contrast is more contingent. Figure 1 is completely symmetrical, thus allowing the viewer to align the actions in the painting. (Figure 1) Contrarily, Figure 2 is just the opposite. The painting as a whole is unsymmetrical, making it harder for audiences to
Rockwell, N. (Artist). (1943). Freedom from Want [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.berkshirefinearts.com/11-25-

depict what is actually going on in the painting. (Figure 2) The contrast of light and darkness has been

2008_thanksgiving-2008.htm a common comparison for many years now.

A Family Feast Along with the contrast of the paintings, legibility is a point that should be noted between figure 1 and 2. Figure 1 is clear, which allows to you to see everything that is going on, from the pattern on the wall, to the family gathered at the table. It clears up any misconceptions or questions that the audiences may have about the scene. However, figure 2 is too dark to see what is truly going on in the background unless you enlarge the painting with a computer. (Figure 2) It is only then Currin, J. (Artist). (2003). Thanksgiving [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://blogs.broward.palmbeach.com/cl eanplatecharlie/5_badpainting_currin_t hanksgiving.jpg

that you notice the upscale craftsmanship of the house, these women live in and the time period from which they come from. The color of the background is an essential factor than can change the entire appearance of the painting. Departing from the way these paintings physically look, an important detail is also how they make the reader feel. Figure 1 does a good job of capturing the emotions of many people in one frame. (Figure 1) Those who are sitting at the table seem full engaged in conversation with one another. No one is left out of left behind. The grandparents who are standing up at the end of the table, seem reflective and grateful that their family has gathered once again to celebrate the special holiday once again. The reflective mood of figure 1 was a significant change from figure 2. Figure 2 gives of a playful yet lingering mood. The positions and facial expressions of the women all suggest the lack of focus and peace within the house hold. The audience can gather that these 2 paintings are contrasts of each other in many ways and are opinionated speculations of what a fictional or typical thanksgiving holiday should look like. Figure

A Family Feast 1 has a better contrast that figure 2 does not have. It also has better legibility and mood. Figure effectively portrays the stereotypical Thanksgiving holiday while Figure 2 is more realistic in todays society. Overall, both images were successful at getting their messages across.

A Family Feast References Freedom from Want -Rockwell, N. [Painting] Retrieved from

http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/american_chronicles/aonr_dia_09_09.htm History of Thanksgiving [Web] Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving Thanksgiving [Painting] Retrieved from http://aphelis.net/thanksgiving-john-currin-2003/ The Life of John Currin [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.gagosian.com/artists/john-currin The Norman Rockwell Museum [Web] Retrieved from http://www.nrm.org/ Thoughts on art. (2011). [Web] Retrieved from http://thoughtsonart.com/artists/John_Currin_Alex_Katz_David_Hockney_Yuskavage/5_Cur rin_Yuskavage_Peyton_Saville.html

A Family Feast