Step 1: The Exhibition
Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?
1. What is the title of the exhibit?
The title of the art exhibit I visited is “Manet, Monet and the
Impressionists” at the National Gallery.
2. What is the theme of the exhibition?
The theme of this particular is exhibit is impressionism.
Step 2: The Gallery
Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?
1. What type of lighting is used?
In Room 43 at The National
Gallery, there are two sources of lighting. First, there are skylights; however,
there are steel plates blocking direct sunlight from entering the room. The
Second source of light is through directed LED lighting that is attached to a
set of rails, so the lights can be moved.
2. What colors are used on the walls?
The walls are
painted a deep, and natural dark purple. The walls are accented by white
decorative molding at the top, and a dark granite baseboard.
3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the
space?
The floors in Room 43 are made
out of wood of different shades and patterns. The center and perimeter patterns
of the floor have the boards lined up, one after another, and this is accented
by diamond wood patterns in the floor. The bottom baseboards and entryway
molding are made of dark granite. Along the top base boarding there is
decorative white molding, which continues into the white, decorative vaulted
ceilings.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
The room, which is
about 30x30 has the viewer walking around the square perimeter of the room. In
the center of the room, there are two wood benches.
Step 3: The Artwork
Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized? As you enter the room and go left, there is a collection of over 12 Monet pieces on two walls. The remaining two walls are covered by a variation of Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Sisley.
2. How are the artwork’s similar? The subjects of the paintings can be categorized into two styles. As you enter the room, and go left, all of the paintings of landscapes. The other half of the room is portraits.
1. How are the artworks organized? As you enter the room and go left, there is a collection of over 12 Monet pieces on two walls. The remaining two walls are covered by a variation of Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Sisley.
2. How are the artwork’s similar? The subjects of the paintings can be categorized into two styles. As you enter the room, and go left, all of the paintings of landscapes. The other half of the room is portraits.
3. How are the artworks different? Apart from the difference of subject matter, one painting by Ignace-Henri-Théodore Fantin-Latour “ Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Edwards” is not an impressionist painting, rather it is surrealist.
4. How are the artworks framed? All of the artworks in Room 43 are framed in a gold painted, decorative wooden frame; however, the intricacies vary from each painting.
5. How are the artworks
identified and labeled?
Each artwork is identified and
labeled with a small white plaque that gives a description of the artist, year,
and label of each work.
6. What is the proximity of the
artwork to each other?
Each piece is located within
1-2 feet of the other paintings. Some of the smaller paintings have other
artworks above them within a few inches.
Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise
Artist: Claude Monet
Title of work: – Snow Scene at
Argenteuil
Media: Oil on Canvas
Date:1875
Size: 28x36 in
Source of picture (URL) http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/snow-scene-at-argenteuil-claude-monet.jpg
What I enjoyed about this painting is the subtle contrasts
in color. The Painting, which is mostly constructed of blues and greys, also,
contains some dark browns, reds, and near black accents. In this painting, there is a winter scene
that contains the presence of people in it. To the sides of the painting there
are trees and shrubs, and the background consists of buildings. The first
element I noticed in this painting was the use of direction and movement. The fence
to the left, and the muddied snow trail serves as a directional line, which
guides the viewers eyes to the people near the end of the trail. The second element I noticed was the use of implied shape to outline the trees. Monet uses
grey shapes contrasted with browns and reds to outline the trunks and branches
of the trees. The first principle I noticed was the use of emphasis and
subordination. Monet subordinates much of the landscape in this painting by
filling it with grey and little detail; however, the people and everything that
is man-made is given much richer and darker colors. I believe Monet did this to
symbolize the the contrast between people and nature. The subjects in the
photo, and the trails left behind them are the first things I noticed about
this painting; therefore, I believe Monet was trying to illustrate the
contrasts and effects of people on nature.
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Artist: Claude Monet
Title of work: – Gare Saint Lazare
Media: Oil on Canvas
Date:1877
Size: 60.3 x 80.2 cm
Source of picture (URL): http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/16571
What I really enjoy about this painting is the use of blues
in the shading; Also, the way in which Monet develops the smoke coming from the
train. Rather than outlining the smoke, Monet distorts the image where smoke is
present. In this painting, there are people waiting to board a train at a
station. The station is covered with a glass ceiling, and inside the station
there is a prominent light post; in addition, to other trains and passengers. The
element I noticed in this painting was the use of direction and movement. It’s
clear the trains are moving into the station, and the railroad tracks direct
the viewers’ eye into the background of the painting. Another prominent element is the use of
analogous color harmonies. Monet used
most blues, greens, and yellows in the painting. I also really like the
asymmetrical balance of the painting. The vaulted ceiling of the station almost
make the painting symmetrical; however, the content within the station offers a
stark contrast. This artwork reminds me of many paintings during the industrial
era. Train stations represented a place for many different types of people to
meet. I think Monet chose this piece, because industrialization changed many
societies, and how people interacted.
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Artist: Claude Monet
Title of work: – Bathers at La
Grenouillère
Media: Oil on Canvas
Date:1869
Size: 73x92 cm
Source of picture (URL) http://www.oil-painting-techniques.com/pics/monet2.jpg
What I enjoyed about this painting is how different the
color scheme is from his previous works. Many of Monet’s artwork has prominent
blues; however, in this painting, green is the most prevalent color used. In
this painting, there are canoes docked in the bottom left corner. In the top
left corner, it is covered in foliage and people walking across a dock. The
right side of the picture is more reminiscent of Monet’s work with the addition
of blues; however, it doesn’t capture the typical idea of Monet that I’m used
to seeing. The first element that I noticed in the painting was the use of
movement and direction in the center of the painting. The Dock, which has many
people walking across it, serves as a guide to experience this particular
artwork. Secondly, I noticed the use of complementary color harmonies in the
shading of the water, which is white and black. I believe Monet uses a perfect
balance of Unity and Variety in this painting, as the left half of the painting
is united in all of the greens ( analogous color harmonies); and the right half
of the image uses more complementary color harmonies: this brings balance to
the painting. I believe painting
symbolizes the relationship of humans and nature. The color schemes used in all
of the manmade subjects are in perfect harmony with nature. I believe Monet was
trying to describe how harmonious the relationship between these two can be.
Step 5: Document Your Visit
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtualtour/#/room-43/
4. Answer this question:What did you think of visiting
the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different
perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?
Looking at the art from a different perspective in a different setting really helped me understand the context and historical significance of these artworks. By arranging these artworks in a exhibit, it becomes easier to understand how artists affect and influence other artists. The physical space also played a large role in changing my perception of these artworks. Everything from the decor to the framing helps to recreate an atmosphere which helps to emphasis the importance and role of understanding art.
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