AED/101

Formal Analysis of Art

Rita Ford

2011

Assignment

Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night and Sol LeWitts Wall Drawing No. 681 Upon viewing The Starry Night ( Vincent van Gogh) and The Wall Drawing No. 681 ( Sol LeWitt) I found both of the artist techniques when using lines very different in form and in the way they use the lines. Van Goghs use of lines in the Starry Night are all over the place and scattered but that is how

most of his paintings are and it is almost like is signature . The way that he uses his form of lines is his autograph and how viewers know it is his work. The Wall Painting is much the opposite when the use of lines comes into play and his artwork. LeWitts use of lines are much more precise and sometimes mathematical in the use of angles and space. But both artist where known for the way that they painted and their use of lines and thet is how viewer come to know their work. What I did learn was that Van Gogh painted all of his work , were as LeWitt designed his paintings but others painted the pieces. I truly like both pieces .

Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez After viewing Las Meninas on page 154 of the text , I found a few qualities when it comes to organizing space . The first formal quality is presented in Linear Perspective . Linear perspective is formed when lines are drawn on a painting to help the view focus on a certain object . In Velazquez painting his focal point is that of the Infanta and her maids of honor. My second formal quality is presented in three dimensional space. In my opinion I find that Velazquez set off and illusion that the objects in the front of the room seem larger then those set behind the focal point. In Velazquez painting his focal

point is the Maids of Honor and that of the Infanta . I feel that when it comes to the painting that both the linear perspective and three dimensional both create a positive effect. The linear creates the effect that the focal point should be centered on the Princess and her maids and not on no other. The three dimensional set the mood that the one viewing the picture is in the painting as well due to the fact that the object in front seem larger . If you think about it that is the way it is in life as a whole.

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper Edward Hoppers Nighthawk was one of great fascination . Edward Hopper centers this portrait at the counter of a diner. The first formal quality I found was the use of Highlights . Hopper used highlights to reflect the source of light due to the fact that there are a number of object that would produce a shadow in the painting. My second formal quality was that of the use of perceptual color. Hopper used the colors that he did due to the light source and the colors that he used would reflect the light source and make the colors more vibrant. In my opinion the use of color and highlights sets off a fantastic effect to the painting. The highlights help create a personal effect in the painting as it sets the mood of the diner as the highlights reflect the light source which in returns sets off the shadow. The color reflect the light and in return makes the colors brighter and welcoming when viewed in the street as where is painting takes place and is where the focal point of the painting is located.

References
Fig. 73 Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night 1889 My world of Art

Fig. 77 Sol LeWitts The Wall Drawing No. 681 C. My World Of Art

Fig. 197 Las Meninas Diego Velazquez 1656 My World of Art

My Art Lab Closer Look

Fig. 702 Edward Hopper Nighthawks 1942 My World Of Art

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