Special Edition 1 - Classic Museum

Hello, this is Jade reporting in on my trip to the art museum. For this blog, I will talk about the classical part of the museum and what I thought were good examples of craft, composition, and concept.

Before I begin, here's a lovely photo of our professor pointing out a piece of artwork for the sake of our assignment:

Craft-

 During the trip to the museum, there were several impressive oil paintings that were focused on still-life work, specifically fruit. In a similar manner, the subject used in this painting is a dinner set that was partially used and left to capture the realism of the painting. Focusing on craft, the artist did an excellent job capturing the soft and hard shadows in the linen, dishes, and food. The artist was able to create the illusion of 3-D through the use of shadows and value throughout the painting. Upon closer examination, as shown below, the artist made sure to include tiny details that would enhance the realism of the dinner set, from the crumbs falling from a slice of pie to the peel of the lemons sitting on the plate. The reflection of the lemon on the plate and the light glares were also another way to create the illusion of realism.

Composition-

This piece, representing something similar to the passover of Jesus and His disciples, utilizes composition well to have the audience view the piece a certain way. First, the space between the two other disciples where the top of the table can be viewed is deliberate in order to invite the viewer to be a part of the scene. In other words, the viewer is invited to sit among Jesus and the other disciples. Second, because of that negative space between the disciples, the viewer can either follow the line of  ascending heads towards the left or the right which would lead to the person sitting at the head of the table, Jesus. The two disciples being so distinguishable up front versus the disciples being more congested as the viewer looks closer at the center of the painting becomes a way for the artist to control the viewers' eye. Third, in order for the artist to make sure the viewer stops their eye on Jesus, the artist included a steeple of a church building behind and above Jesus' head, forcing the viewer to look upward and possibly Jesus' face.

Concept-

This piece was interesting, concept-wise, because of the historical background of when this piece was made and parts of the scenery that was appropriate in two different regions of the world. The time period is between the American Revolution and the Civil War. There is an interest in the Mediterranean architecture, not just because of its style but what kind of societies came from the Mediterranean, like the Romans and Greeks. The governmental bodies were strong and powerful which is something that Americans may have aspired to be one day. The suggestion that the piece is a focus on government and America is the obelisk that is sitting in the center of the blue negative space in the painting. The obelisk is clearly being emphasized, despite being the smaller part of the painting. Another point to add is that the obelisk looks much like the Washington monument. Using the pieces of architecture in the same painting may be the artists' way of wanting to glorify America in the same way the Romans and Greeks were. Another possible message is that America's governing body and society may be small but with time, the country will one day become large, regal, and thriving.

This wraps up the first part of the museum journey. As I wrap this blog up, here's a photo of me standing in front of an O'Keeffe painting that could be last seen before entering the Modern museum: