Notes From Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_Shalott_(painting)
- Painted three versions of the character
- in relation to a poem about the plight and predicament of a woman yearning for unrequited love.
-painted three versions of her
-under a curse so she can't go outside or even look out the window
John William Waterhouse
The Lady of Shalott - 1888
Description: In this work you see a woman in a boat on a lake. There are trees in the background and steps leading to the water. The woman is dressed nicely in a clean white dress, with an intricate blanket or tapestry spilling out of the boat but she looks sad. The focus of light and vibrancy focuses on her, while the background is dark and muted. This focus of light and pristine colors such as white and gold show that she is of higher class, but the sorrowful expression on her face tells you that she is in pain. The woman is holding a chain that is connecting the boat to the shore and her hand is loose, indicating that it will be dropped and she will no longer be connected to land.
Analysis: John William Waterhouse used all elements of art, but mainly detailed line work, space, texture, and color. He also used balance, variety, and emphasis so highlight the woman and bring her out from the background. This piece went along with a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Interpretation: I think this piece is about the sorrow this woman is feeling, even when she is in a beautiful place and is clearly well-off. I would need more information, but I am assuming that the woman in the painting is 'The Lady of Shalott" in which case it fits. It displays sorrow and a sense hopelessness even though the coloration surrounding her are bright, her expression is that of someone who is lost (metaphorically). The timing fits better than it would today given her garments and boat.
Judgement: I think people should see this to learn about the power of subtle expression, and the emphasis of coloration on the woman as a focus point. To be honest, if I owned this work I would probably sell it and get rich. I will however remember the effects that the artist used to tell a clear story along with just the professional techniques used to make it real.
Semester 2:
Khan Academy Notes:
-surrealism
-attack on the rational
-Dali was the first to paint dreamscapes
-unbearable sense of quiet and still
-sunset means another day has passed
-one object can be several things
-what is time?
Salvador Dali Persistence of Memory - 1931
Description: Depicts a beach with mountains and calm ocean in the background. Limp clocks are draped over a table, a branch, and a figure on the floor, there are also ants eating away at a pocket watch. The golden light shining only on the background mountains suggests sunset and the end of another day.
Analysis: In this piece, Dali used form and shape to depict the clocks as almost liquid. Proportion to set the mountains and ocean in the background was also applied. A huge part of this painting is movement, or lack there of. The sheer stillness in this painting is something that the audience can sense without trying to.
Interpretation: I actually really like this piece. I can feel the silence and stillness that stretches time. It also reminds me of the beaches and cliffs in Santa Cruz which gives a sense of home. If I were to visit the inside of this painting I think it would be peaceful therapy, if I was trapped however, I would go insane.
Judgement: I think that some paintings are very detached, and it is hard to feel the emotion(s) they are meant to portray. This however is easy and being stuck somewhere and the clocks just seem to stop ticking is something that everyone can relate to. The visual metaphor of limp clocks seems like an accurate visual represention of the last half hour of school.