Emphasis Emphasis it is when contrast, placement, size, colors or other features are used to highlight one object, area, or other elements of the artwork. This is used to draw attention – a focal point – or accentuate a feature. Emphasis Video
Vocabulary: Towards: in direzione di, verso
That dominant part is called the “Focal Point�. The Focal Point is the first part of the work to attract the viewers attention.
Without emphasis
With emphasis
The focus of the lady brings our attention to the envelope as well as its stark white color.
Mary Cassatt (1844–1946). The Letter, 1890–91. The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
Vocabulary: Stark : netto, rigido Envelope: busta
Emphasis by Location In the Dining Room by Berthe Morisot The young woman appears to be in the center of this painting. A lot of times, we naturally look in the center of the picture first like we would with a photo or camera.
Emphasis by Contrast Rembrandt uses value contrast to create a focal point in this work. Only the head and the area immediately around it are painted in light values. The background sinks into darkness.
Rembrandt. Self-Portrait. c. 1629. Oil on canvas.
Emphasis by Convergence In this painting all the people are staring at the preacher and the girl. The viewer becomes one of the crowd and stares too. Baptism in Kansas by John Steuart Curry
Emphasizing with the Unususal Time Transfixed, 1939 Artist: Rene Magritte (1898-1967) Surrealist
By placing very unusual objects or impossible activities in a work, an artist can also create a focal point.
In Claus Oldenberg’s large public sculpture “Stonebridge” we see an everyday object blown up to massive size. The use of the large form, as well as the dark red color of the cherry focus us to look at the sculpture.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
WHATIS THE FOCAL POINT?
Vasily Kandinsky Composition 8 ( Komposition 8 ) 1923 GUGGENHEIM MUSEUMC
WHATIS THE FOCAL POINT?
Francisco Goya (Fuendetodos, 1746 – Bordeaux, 1828) Museo del Prado
Emphasis in Jewelry – Focal Point Other interesting things: psychology studies on selective attention Selective Attention Test