Analyzing Art Answers

The painting is The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault. Its off-center, pyramidal arrangement is balanced by the large dark sail on the left against the rising cluster of figures on the right. Variety in the figures’ poses, clothing, and contrasting light and shadow makes the group visually dynamic, while diagonal lines and upward-reaching gestures create movement toward the man at the top. His elevated position and the bright cloth against the stormy sky make him the focal point.

Proportion: Refers to the relationship between parts of a whole and their relation to the whole. Emphasis: Where the artist can create focal points to catch our eye. Form: Any three dimensional geometric shape. It can also refer to the visible elements of a piece.

Answer will vary but may include the following: Symbolic proportion is the creation of an apparent, and often deliberate, disproportion of one or more forms in a piece in order to convey a specific message. The artist has made Mary into a large figure in order to convey her greatness. The baby Jesus is also large, and possesses adult proportions, considering he is suppose to be an infant. This was done to emphasize his importance and greatness.

Answer will vary but may include the following: The rendering of color and the use of bold and basic shapes help maintain harmony in this example. However, some components have very straight, angular lines, where others have curved shapes. This subtle variety helps make the image more interesting.

Balance is the arrangement of elements within a piece so that no part overpowers another. Formal balance occurs when a piece has linear symmetry, in other words, if it was divided in half, one side would mirror the other. Structural balance includes symmetry, but also involves ensuring a piece, usually a building structure, is both stable and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

The question to answer and the artwork to analyze were not included. Please provide them so I can respond.

The artist has used balance, harmony, variety, proportion, movement, and emphasis. Examples will vary, but may include the following: Balance is created by a vertical line of symmetry that divides through the eagle and the squares and the careful use of colors which flow from one to another. Harmony is created by the use of similar hues, and the similar square shapes on the top half, and the large square at the bottom that incorporates the eagle figure. Proportion is created by the relative size of each form in the painting, in which no part seems under or over sized. Movement is created by the vertical lines of the squares and the paint drips that lead down to the eagle at the bottom, who also has his wings down-cast diagonally to the bottom corners of the painting. The movement encourages the eye to move from the top of the painting, down to the eagle, and finally to dissipate along the wings.

Answer will vary but may include the following: The image is of a side profile of a woman’s head, mounted on a cubed-base. She appears to be leaning, or perhaps falling. Although the woman is obviously plastic, the apathy and surrender in her face is supported by the statement, which written vertically down the left-hand side of the picture. The eye natural goes to the woman’s eye, and then tends to drift up towards the word and the top and then down the statement, which gives the piece balance along with the use of shades and shadows creating unity.

Answer will vary but may include the following: Movement refers to the sense of motion created by the piece when observed. In Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase the figure is seen in different stages of descent. The repetition and shifting diagonal lines creates a sense of movement.