Time is the definite continuation of Events and existence. It never does stop. Time has been an important aspect to life, in religion as well as philosophy and science. As well as being important in aspects of life such as religion, time is a diverse field within business, sport and the performing arts. Its irreversible advance and continuation between past, present and future. Time measures the length of a day, month and year and so on. Time itself gives human kind direction but is a literally illusion and is elusive. It gives sense and often measures the changes in human life such an environment changes. Time is measured using a detailed numerical sequence. Time is often represented as the fourth dimension. Time moves people; objects and places to help shape human life of today and the future. Time is subjective, it is not ‘felt’ or ‘experienced’, it simply just passes by as we all go about our own lives.
Art and time are linked. Many art eras such as Pop art were created within a time period. As well as links to Time shown literally in paintings, such as imagery of clocks. Art of all senses can be created over time. Films often take longer to make compared to a painting for instance. Our view on art in the modern day is often viewed for time. Every different art style or movement were created around a time and often created at times here an event happens in real life time. Propaganda art works were created at the time of the holocaust and when the Nazis were in power.
Looking further in art styles and their links into time, many art works have hidden meanings…..
Artist ‘Antonio De Perinda’ often looked at the metaphorical sense of time within his art work. Often focusing on linking Time and subjects such as Death. Antonio De Perinda created this this painting in 1632 to 1636. He named it ‘Allegory of Vanity’. He linked time to vanity. Antonio was a painter from Madrid. Perinda was a Spanish Baroque painter and was best known for his still life artwork. The painting itself was creating using oil paints. The detailed blending and uses of light and tone create an almost realistic still life. All the smaller details within the painting all emphasis the idea of vanity. The painting is so realistic it’s almost perfect. Every different component of this painting is so highly detailed and thought out. Antonio represented more than just vanity within this painting. He shows death and represents time. Time being prominent throughout this painting both literally and metaphorically. Antonio De Perinda created this painting to show Vanity. However this painting also has links to time and death.
Antonio’s painting was named ‘Allegory of Vanity’. He represents vanity within this painting. The time this painting was created was a time where many people were poor. However the composition of this painting has many different components that show vanity and wealth. The gold chains and coins as well as the red silk table cover show wealth. The way these objects have been laid out on the table also shows the ideas of vanity as they are visible to see. The figure within this painting is shown to point at a Globe. Possibly suggesting places the figure has been. Again this has been presented in the painting as if the figure is showing off. Emphasising vanity. The painting also shows armour. This armour is gold coloured and shiny. Showing the wealth. Armour isn’t often gold, nor is it pristine clean and shining.
The figure within the painting is unknown. However her pale colour shows beauty. Her flowing hair also emphasises beauty and vanity. She is wearing heavy silk clothing. An expensive style that very few would have worn unless they were of a higher status. Again her facial expression is elegant, her cheeks have colour and she is smiling. Almost as if she is smiling about all her possessions as she points and shows them off within the painting. The structure of her face is elegant. Her thin nose, large eyes and small petite mouth show beauty. She doesn’t looked aged, unlike the different objects surrounding her. Time could be stopped for her, as she is young and youthful.
Links to death are obvious within this painting. Skulls are placed throughout this painting. Giving the painting a very morbid feel. The figure is almost showing off the skulls. Some skulls looked however more aged compared to others. Possibly showing how much time they have aged. Further emphasising time. The figure herself also has wings. Wings throughout all religious literature represent Angels. Antonio may have painted these wings to show vanity and how Angelic like the figure is. However Wings could also represent death. The figure could possibly be dead. The wings are brown unlike the religious representation of angels who are white; beautiful and gracious. The figure herself is very angelic looking, looking very different from everything else placed within the painting. Every component is dark and cold. The wings are very contradictory to the figure herself. The brown could show and represent death. However, they could also could represent the wings being aged over time. Antonio also painted a large gun hidden with the skulls. This could possibly suggest that the gun was used to kill. The skulls could be those who died because of the gun. This gives the painting a very morbid feel. The dark twisted idea of showing off the killing that could of happened.
Antonio also painted two different representations of time. One being a clock and one being a sand timer. The clock is golden, further emphasising the idea of vanity. The shape is similar to a grand farther clock. Often owned by the wealthy. The clock also shows to smaller clocks at the bottom. Antonio may have painted this to further emphasis the vain ideas portrayed within this painting. Having more than just one clock. Having many. This painting already has components that link to death and the end. Antonio could have painted these clocks in to show how time passes. Having three clocks further showing how time pressures us and goes by fast. Antonio also painted a sand timer. The sand timer has finished. The time it gives you is finished. Possibly suggesting death or the lack of time we have as it goes by fast. Our time is limited on this earth. Along with all the other components within this painting suggesting death it further hints that the figure is dead. Or lost within time, the sand timer has stopped.
The painting background is black. There is no tone or light. All the light and tones within the painting are shown in the objects and figure. The pitch black could represent the end. Time has ended or death has caused the end. The figure herself could of passed her time and is now unaged showing off her only possessions. Further showing her wealth however this could show that wealth isn’t everything. Wealth can often destroy the links and communication of people. Antonio may of painted this black background to highlight the issue that if we waste our time with wealth we will be left with nothing in the end. Antonio seemingly painted this painting to show three ideas, Time; death and vanity. He has highlighted all the issues that come when we waste our time and the good/bad ideals of vanity and wealth. Similar to Antonio and his artwork, an artist called Bronzino created an artwork with symbolism to represent time.. but in this instance for different reasons..
Jacopo Pontormo was a popular Mannerism artist. His work shows contorted figures in a manic, cluttered composition. The figures within the figure have all their limbs contorted and twisted. His work was influenced by artists such as Rafale, the use of colours are bold and bright. This use of colours was unseen before the art movement of Mannerism. The figures could have been influenced by the artist Michal Angelo. Similar to many of Bronzino art works Pontormo uses colours, figures and nudity. Bronzino was a Mannerism artist, unlike Antonio. Antonio specialised in still life. Still life is focused on looking realistic unlike Mannerism. Mannerism is more about the art itself rather than the realistic ideals of still life. Mannerism was an extension on from the renaissance art movement. The depiction of the human form is exaggerated further. Often showing unlikely views on people, painting them as youthful unlike the literally age the figures could possibly be in mythological and religious literature and arts. Mannerism often shows the human form in distorted and elegant forms.
The painting itself is manic, cluttered and not symmetrical. The painting itself is confused. Every figure is doing something different. Every facial expression is also different.
The main figure within this painting is Venus. She is spread out and her arms are elongated which is typical of mannerism. She is also nude. The contortions of her body highlight the art style mannerism is. Venus has been re-created through several different art movements and paintings. Venus herself is viewed as a goddess. She is the idealisation of beauty. Although she is depicted as this beautiful figure of love and beauty, most depictions of her show her with long flowing hair. Commonly she is also depicted not nude. In Botticelli's painting ‘The Birth Of Venus’ where she is displayed to have her breasts and genitalia covered up as she was the goddess of beauty. However, Bronzino has painted her full nude and kissing Cupid. She seems to be being held by Cupid in a loving manner. He is holding her breast and hair. Her arms are stretched out as if they are almost awkward or as if she is an unwanted position.
Bronzino painted this painting in 1545. They named it “Allegory of Venus and Cupid. Just like Antonio did, they used the word “Allegory” with the title. Allegory means artwork with a hidden meaning.
Cupid has been painted very contorted, a very common thing with mannerism. Cupid, like Venus has also been painted nude. His body spread out as he leans into Venus. Cupid is stood next to Doves within this painting. Doves signify love throughout time. The nature of his embrace to Venus also emphasises this. Bronzino may have painted this to highlight the Love a mother and son may have over the time of their lives. Although cupid is touching Venus in ways that could show that he loves Venus as in a relationship. This painting is a transgression on a large scale. The way Cupid and Venus are embracing does break one of Jesus’s 10 Commandments. This is also matched to the asymmetrical challenging compositions of the painting as a whole. Cupid is painted next to Venus. Cupid in mythological writings is the son of Venus. He is painted much smaller than Venus, showing his time and youth. Cupid is the god of love throughout mythology. He spreads love using his arrow. However Venus is depicted holding his bow. The art movement mannerism often created artworks which don’t follow literature. Cupid is kissing and holding his mother’s breast. Seemingly making love to his mother, a very dark and twisted idea. This would never be seen as appropriate in modern day times however this could highlight the change in time. Emphasising the Allegory this painting has Time.
The figure which is behind the love making of Cupid and Venus is unknown. However he seems very distressed about the events taking place within the painting. Unlike Cupid or Venus is skin is very dark, he seems cold. His facial expression could show his pain. Bronzino may have painted him like this show jealousy or sadness. Weather this is because of Venus and cupid is unknown. Bronzino may have also painted this figure in such distress because of the new sexually transmitted disease of Syphilis. This began to spread in the early 16 th century. Syphilis being one of the worst sexually transmitted disease of its time the figure could be distressed and holding himself as he is breaking down. Bronzino has painted him in such a powerful way his emotions show through. You can see the pain and distress he is in. Bronzino painted a young boy throwing rose petals over Venus and Cupid as they embrace. The identity of the boy is unknown. He is seeming running towards Cupid and Venus. He is seemingly excited and happy, his facial expressions show him smiling; further emphasising the happiness he could possibly feel. However, the boy is stood upon thorns. His face shows no pain so it’s possibly he may also have Syphilis. One of the side effects of untreated syphilis is Tabes Dorsalis. Tabes Dorsalis is a condition where your limbs go numb. The nerves degenerate. Bronzino may have also painted the figure to represent the early symptoms of syphilis. The figure may have been painted to also highlight the toxic and illicit love affair of Cupid and Venus. Seemingly happy and excited however over time the disease will eventually kill him.
Bronzino painted a figure behind the boy. Unlike the other figures in this composition the girl only has a human head not body. She has been represented very young and youthful. Although she has the legs of a lion and a tail with scales. She may have been painted like this to show syphilis symptoms is a more metaphorical sense. The lion legs may represent the harsh and brutal symptoms of the disease. However they may also present the idea that one of the symptoms Tabes Dorsalis can numb your limbs. Her tail may represent how the events of the painting may change you. The tail looks as if it could sting. The ideas of pain is highlighted by the figure. Time can cause pain.
Although Bronzino painted a happy composition with Venus and Cupid, the other figures in the background are unhappy and unsettled.
In the corner of the painting is a man. His facial expressions show worry and he almost looks scared. Although he may also be disgraced by the events within the composition. He is seemingly trying to pull away the painting. The figure also has wings. Similar to Antonio the wings could represent death and the end of time. Just behind his is a Sand timer. The allegory of this painting was Time. If you take the pleasures of life then over time these pleasures will turn into anger; sadness and anguish. Time can change us. The sand timer itself is almost running out. Emphasising how time passes by quickly.
An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life. Otherwise known as The “Vanitas�. This painting was created by the Dutch artist Harmen Steenwyck, in the Netherlands during the 17th century. An Allegory of the Vanities of Human life was painted to represent Time and how death is inventible. Emphasising that we may have many expensive possessions and have lots of wealth but it truly means nothing once we die.
Steenwyck created this painting during the 17th century. During that time the Bible was followed religiously. It was commonly followed as a way to shape our lives. The bible itself speaks the word that helping others is all we need. We don’t need all these possessions and wealth in life, all we need is to help others and live simply. Along with the bible, the 17th century was the time of progression in science, art and Dutch trade becoming the most advanced in the world. Unlike others using the Bible, the Dutch started using scientific discovery’s throughout their art. This made the subject matter become more fresh and new compared to other artist work around the world. Furthermore, unlike other artist Dutch artists started to create smaller artworks. Many being used for homes rather than churches. Many Dutch churches were plain. Never having bold art work or glazed windows. During the 17th century the Dutch art trade boomed. More than 5 million pieces were commissioned by the emerging wealthy classes. Churches were not commissioning artists. Many did this because they did believe the Bibles word that possessions are nothing once we die and we don’t need these lavish accessories. An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life was a still life painting. Still life is the painting of ordinary objects without a human presence. It’s a low genre of art as it uses artist’s techniques and skill rather than their imagination. Still life is often linked to theme of death, transience and the vanity of things we use in everyday life. Still life was progressed and born in the 16 th century however in the 17th century especially in the Netherlands. Often having no religious links with highly detailed realism with links to symbolism.
The painting itself displays someone’s possessions. All laid across a table for display. This emphasises the idea that what we own are just items. They mean nothing after death. Harmen’s idea for this painting was to create the idea of vanity. Displaying links to death, war and wealth. This painting has a light source situated at the top going down towards the items laid across the table. The painting has several dramatic tonal values. This is called a chiaroscuro. A technique often used within still life.
Vanitas” is Latin for Vanity. In the sense of emptiness and worthlessness within our culture of today. Emphasising that pleasure and the ambition of humans is transient. Death is leveller that puts into perspective that all achievements show nothing in the end. As we all simply die. Vanitas urges us to reflect of death and how we can’t avoid it. Especially the futility of ambition in the world, acuminating riches and knowledge.
Harmen painted a shell on the table of his painting. This could be to show wealth. Many wealthy people in the 17th century collected expensive items. They often did this to show off their wealth. The shell could also represent traveling, the wealthy people often travelled. The painting has the allegory of death. The shell could represent how we are only a shell. We are just people. When we pass away our bodies are left. None of our knowledge or possessions are with us. Just simply a shell of skin and bones. The shell itself has been painted hanging off the edge of the table. Commonly if an item is hanging in art, it could show that it’s about to fall and break. Shattering. This could emphasis that in the end we shatter.
The painting also shows a timer. This could have been painted to show that our time on this earth is limited. We don’t have lots of time. It emphasises that time passes by quickly. Everything we do can take time off and that we should make every worthwhile. Instead of wasting it on pointless activities. We should spend our time the best we can. The timer is also set to 12 o’clock. This could represent that most of us have lived half of our lives. The book that has been painted has been opened. In the 17th century books were sealed, once that seal has been broken they are often worthless. The book could have been painted to show that the words written other than the bible are pointless, although the name of the book is unknown. It could show that words that have been written are useless to follow. We can follow them all we want to but are they really worth it. The book just behind the one at the front is very tattered and bent. This could represent the idea that everything we do in vanity could bend and warp us. Vanity could warp our personalities. Changing us from the state we started in.
Many instruments have been painted. The lute, Cornet and Flute could represent pleasure. Music is viewed throughout history even to the 21st century as a pleasure, weather you are making it or listening. They all show knowledge, you have to have knowledge to play an instrument. Although the painting itself has the allegory that knowledge is pointless after death
The wine casket that has been painted is seemingly painted over a silhouette. The identity of this silhouette is unknown. However it’s believed that the figure was painted over as it didn’t fit with the Allegory theme. The idea of a figure could show that death doesn’t come around as quickly as we think, as the figure is very much alive. The way this painting has been created by layering thin layers of oil paint could be the reason why you can still trace the outline, however its unknown for sure weather this painting over could have been deliberate. It could have been painted to emphasise that people pass and whatever they leave behind is moved away. Something new starts again. An extinguished lamp has been painted with smoke floating away from it. This could have been painted to show that we burn out. We don’t last forever and ever. We simply glow and then burn out. Our lives don’t last forever. As wax could burn, we only last so long. The smoke showing that even everything we leave after we are going floats away and disappears just like we do after we die. The allegory of this painting is displayed throughout. After death everything we create and collect throughout our lives are meaningless.
Similar to Harmen Steenwyck an American artist called Audrey Flack created still life’s representing Vanity. She displayed several items out linking to different subject matters such as war as well as her own vanity. Audrey Flack was an American artist who pioneered photo realism art and often worked within sculptures. Her work mixed techniques and styles from the Pop art movement with symbolic realism. Aubrey’s most common works were her photorealism works often having hidden meanings. Her painting “Wheel of Fortune” had many links to death and time. Similar to An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life.
Within the wheel of fortune painting it had links to time. She painted a sand timer which is still running, emphasising the idea that time is running out. Although it may be slow or fast it is still running. Possibly linking to the idea of ‘fortune’. She also painted a calander. Showing a full month. As there are only 28 days the month could possibly be febuary. This could empahsises the idea of a countdown, with everyday that passes is one day less than what we had. A very dark and twisted reminder that Death can creep up on us at any time.
Audrey also painted a dice and playing card, possibly emphasising the idea of fate. How we never know what’s about to happen. Everything we do in our lives plays with fate. Fate controls everything. In the end our fate is also Death. We can never get away from that fate. We can simply play with our fate when we are alive.imilar to An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life painting with the burnt our lamp Audrey painted a burning candle. The candle itself is almost burnt out, the wax dripping down the side. This could show that no matter how much we put in, we still burn out. The candle itself is coloured, the colour could show wealth. Bright colours where often worn and shown within wealthy people’s homes. The candle is about to finish. The idea that we only get so much time in our lives is emphasised here.
Food has been painted. This food however is fruit. Fruit is seen as a wealthy food. Many people can afford fruit. This emphasises vanity and how displaying fruit is vanity. Fruit bowls are often displayed through people’s home as decoration. An item of vanity
Audrey painted mirrors within her painting. The mirrors themselves are gold, making them look expensive. Wealthy people would often own these. The mirror themselves could of also emphasises the idea of vanity. How we care too much about how we look, what our appearance is compared to what we really should be worrying about. We should really be worrying about how we act and what we do to help others. The mirrors could also showing aging. Over time we age as people. Our appearance changes. Time controls everything, it can change us physically and mentally. Makeup has been painted within the painting to. Makeup is seen as an item of vanity. We don’t need makeup however throughput history it has been worn. Emphasising the idea of vanity throughout life and our society.
A portrait is on display also. Many people only show photos to show off their families. Photos also can emphasise time. Photos are a snapshot of a time in our lives. They can show how we grow over time and how we change. Both painting have an Allegory of time throughout them. Time and Vanity are linked throughout our life.
After studying images of death and the passing of time I have been inspired by the use of symbolism. I will now focus my development in considering paintings from the 19th century. I will look at how images portrayed death and the consequences of life decisions on the symbols in the work.
Many paintings and artworks linking to time also link to symbolism. I will look at artworks that link to these themes. Henry Wallis was an English Pre Raphaelite Painter and writer. He was also a collector. His most popular work was the death of Chatterton. Henry often created works showing deep social problems. Such as deaths within young people and poverty. Henry often used symbolic details and bold colours to show and emphasises these issues. An 18th century painting by Henry Wallis called ‘Chatterton’ is an interesting representation of a Memento Mori. The painting features a figure that is seemingly dead surrounded by objects linking to his death, although some can be linked to life.
The figure within the painting has committed suicide. The reason why is unknown. However the figure is dressed smartly. This could suggest that he was a part of a hierarchy and was very wealthy. The shirt he is wearing white and has details such as the sleeves to suggest the wealth. More commonly lower classes wore rags and shirts with no details to them. The colours are often very bleak, many lower classes wearing dirty clothes. Unlike this figure. However the shirt itself is very creased and dirty. This could suggest that the figure has been on the bed dead for a long time. As well as suggesting that the figure wasn’t looking after himself before he died. The figure also is wearing purple silk trousers. Again this particular type of garment is commonly worn by higher classes. These trousers are also very creased and dirty, further suggesting that the figure had not looked after himself before his death. The figure is also wearing under garments, unlike lower classes these were worn by higher classes because of the cost of the under garments. Poorer people could not afford this kind of expensive garments
The figure is also only wearing one shoe, further emphasising that the figure stopped looking after himself. It could also symbolise that the figures life was erratic, he is seemingly unable to care for himself. The missing shoe could also symbolise that the figure was missing someone or something. This could be the cause of his death. On the floor next to the figure is a bottle of poison. The figure looks as if he was just home undressing himself when he died. So there is a chance that his death was nit caused by himself. The poison could have been used on him by someone else. In higher classes many people fought, over money and land. The figure could of died because of these reasons. However the figure himself may of drank the poison. The true reason behind his death is unknown. The bottle of poison could also symbolise that death can happen anytime. Time is just a number and death can be instant.
Next to the figure is a box full of letters with some ripped up letters. These letters could be love letters to someone or letters between the figure and someone else. Although the true writings on what these letters are on are unknown they link to death and time. There are many letters within the box that could have been written over letters and ripping them up as he goes so there's chance that this could be the reason he could of died. They signify the figures humans commination's over time before his death. They could also symbolise that our lives are very simplistic and we don’t need many luxuries. The letters are also ripped which could show that when we die everything we worked on is destroyed and don’t have any links to us any more.
The painting has many symbols of death however it also has links to life. The plant placed just behind the figure is blooming. This could symbolise that even after death life still goes on for us in spirt or our families. The plant is the opposite to what the painting itself is trying to present. The contrast between the two can show how fast our lives are. One minute we are alive the next we are dead. The plants could also be there to show appreciation of the figure, seemingly we give flowers as a gesture after death. The window above the figure is also open. Seemingly shedding light onto the figure. The light could also represent life and how death is darkness. The light could be a symbol of life similar to the plant. The light could also show how long the figures been dead for. Possibly showing that the figure may of killed himself overnight. The window being open also could show the idea of a fresh start. Fresh air is leaking into the room. Suggesting the symbolises that once a life is gone the world still carries on.
The tapestries to the side of the bed further emphasis how wealthy the figure could have been. The rich colours and silk material show that the figure was from a higher class.
Similar to Henry Wallis an artist called Augustus Leopold Egg created an artwork called ‘Past and Present 3’ It is part of a series that Augustus created to depict a life of an unfaithful women. Within the first two paintings she is seen to run away from her ‘master’. She was a working girl so no man will take her as she has lost her virginity before marriage. The paintings also show her trying to support herself. Sadly with this painting the girl is homeless under a bridge. In those days women could not work and had to be fully supported by their man. So this painting symbolises women’s life and the struggle women faced and the dangers of being unfaithful. The painting show the progression of our life choices and the result. All choices and results lead to death.
The painting itself is very dark. The colours are cold and monochromatic. The colours Augustus used create a dark sad feel. The mood of the painting is emotional. There is no happiness within the painting. Augustus could have done this to provoke the audience of the painting to feel the emotions the figure was feeling.
The figure within the painting spread out across the floor, with a child in her lap. She is dark, all her clothes are dark and worn. It’s clear that the figure is poor and has nothing to her name. She isn’t living a lavish lifestyle, she almost looks as if she is at the end. Her time of enjoyment of life and the time she had wealth is gone. She is alone with her child. Her child is wrapped up in her blanket, its dark within the painting so she may be cold. The figure looks very lonely and worn out The figure is laying within a cave. She doesn’t have a home or anywhere to go. She is homeless and has lost everything. The cave on looks the ocean. This could represent the end of her time. The ocean is a large area without any form of civilisation. Every travels across the ocean. Away from their normal home lives. The ocean horizon has building you can see, these could represent the figures past life. She had a home however now she has nothing and is just looking over her past life. The ocean is isolating her from everything else around her. The figure is isolated and alone.
The painting features the moon. This shows that it night time, although many people are sleeping. The figure is awake, alone at such a dark cold time.
Augustus painted some posters next to the figure. These posters are old, but however may hold an allegory for the painting. One poster in particular says the words ‘Victim’ and ‘Love’. The figure within the past series of paintings was loved and had everything but she has fallen victim to love. Her lover has now left her alone. Her child is also a victim of love. The figure is still holding him despite where they are and how little they have.
The figure is alone. Waiting for her death. Each object within the painting symbolises something about the figure and symbolises death, time and sadness. On the floor next to the figure is an empty basket. Augustus may have painted this to show how little the figure owns. The basket is empty and tipped over. The figure has nothing and nothing to show of her life. She simply has what she wearing and what her child is wearing. She is alone, has no possessions and nowhere to live. This emphasises the paintings feel of emotions and sadness. The figure was once happy but as soon as she left her lover she has nothing. Her life has come to nothing. All she has now is death.
The painting has a small light within it. Similar to the Henry Chatterton painting which featured the plant to show life. Augustus may have painted the light to show life. That although the figure is at the end has nothing she is still alive. The figure may have a chance to live her normal life again. The light may have been used to guide boats in too. The light could guide the figure back to her normally life.
William Holman Hunt. The Awakening Conscience. 1853. Oil on canvas
Similar to Augustus Leopold Eggs “Past and present 3” an artist called William Holman Hunt called “the Awakening Conscience” which was painted within the Pre Raphaelite Era. It also shows a women who was trapped and had nothing to her name. She is committing adultery on her other half. The man has several women in his house. Several things around the room also show that the women is trapped. The women herself has the facial expression in which she is ‘awakening’ from the mind-set she was in to think that what she was doing is okay. There are unfinished tapestry's on the floor, discarded. Which the women will now be because she is tarnished for being apart of this adultery. There is also a single glove thrown on the floor, also discarded. She is simply wearing a gown sat on this mans lap, you can see other women also in the background. She isn’t special to this particular man. The clock on the piano could also represent the time she has wasted being with this man. The man is well dressed and possibly apart of a heir arch, this means that he wouldn’t be discarded or tarnished for his actions.
This painting is dominated by a central figure, the female subject. Which she almost sits on the central axis of the painting. In the pre Raphaelite era women were often portrayed to be the central part of the painting, it often showed the being in rooms or enclosed spaces rather than in a more natural environment. Possibly hinting to how women were treated in that particular time. Showing their physiology and moral conditions The Pre-Raphaelites were an English group of artists who formed within 1848, they challenged the empty style of high art. They created artworks with moral seriousness and observation of nature compared to the style of old master, Raphael in particular.
The painting itself contains many different features that symbolise the possible message of redemption the painting may be trying to show. The cat catching a bird could symbolise how the women is trapped by the man and how she has no control over her life. The cat symbolises the man and how he has authority over the bird.
Ruskin said, "The very hem of the poor girl's dress, at which the painter has laboured so closely, thread by thread, has story in it, if we think how soon its pure whiteness may be soiled with dust and rain, her outcast feet failing in the street” this could symbolise that although she worked hard she has been soiled because of the choices she has made.
The discarded glove could symbolise how the women has been ‘discarded’ and is alone. She doesn’t have a partner and is not a part of a pair. She is simply just discarded. The unfinished tapestry's on the side could also show how wasted her life is. She is now unfinished and in perfect because of her choices to be with this man. She is symbolically nothing and unfinished.
“Tears, Idle Tears” Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean, Tears from the depth of some divine despair Rise in the heart, and gather in the eyes, In looking on the happy autumn-fields, And thinking of the days that are no more. Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail, That brings our friends up from the underworld, Sad as the last which reddens over one That sinks with all we love below the verge; So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more. Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds To dying ears, when unto dying eyes The casement slowly grows a glimmering square; So sad, so strange, the days that are no more. Dear as remembered kisses after death, And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feigned On lips that are for others; deep as love, Deep as first love, and wild with all regret; O Death in Life, the days that are no more! Frederick, Alfred, Lord Tennyson
•Oft in the Stilly Night •Words by Thomas Moore; musical arrangement by Sir John Stevenson •Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Fond Memory brings the light Of other days around me; The smiles, the tears, Of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone, Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain hath bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. •When I remember all The friends, so link'd together, I've seen around me fall Like leaves in wintry weather; I feel like one, Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garlands dead, And all but he departed! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain hath bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me.
In the frame in which the painting is displayed in, there are several appropriate emblems, such as marigolds symbolizing sorrow, and bells representing danger. All of which are linking back to the poems.
A painter John William Waterhouse created this art work called the Lady of Shallot 1894. The painter John William Waterhouse was a Pre Raphaelite painter. This groups of painters strived to create fresh compositions based on the artwork produced before Raphael. They also advocated painting realistically as it is, and went to great lengths to paint the objects in great detail. This went against the standards in the Royal Academy. realistic artworks. The poem Waterhouse based the painting of was often used as a theme within the Pre Raphaelite era. The painting shows Lady Shallot wrapped up within her sewing room looking and lusting over Sir Lancelot. Lancelot can be seen within the background. The painting itself was based on a poem. The poem depicted Lady Shallot being under a mysterious curse. She lived by the river Camelot. The local farmers around the area she lived we also described to knowing very little about her. The curse she was under made her weave into her loom constantly. She is trapped within this room working on her loom looking out onto the people of Camelot. Sir Lancelot is outside her window. So she stops her weaving further bring forward the curse, she is wrapped up within the thread of the loom because she stopped working. It was believed that Lady Shallot left her room and travelled down the river of Camelot. Possibly to find Sir Lancelot. She was believed to have died before she reached her destination. This is believed to be because of the curse.
Although the painting was based off a poem and the thread Lady Shallot was wrapped in was because of the curse she has broken. It could also possibly symbolise the fact that she trapped because she is lusting over Sir Lancelot. The thread is wrapped around her, stopping her movement. This could also be frustrating Lady Shallot.
The facial expression Lady Shallot is making shows her frustration. She is very pale and looks very frail. This could be because she is cursed and unable to do anything other than weave into her loom. She is listing after Sir Lancelot as well which could also show why she is so frustrated. Her eyes are much narrowed and are looking forward straight out of the window.
There is a broken mirror behind Lady Shallot shows Sir Lancelot in his armour outside her window. The mirror is broken and cracked, this could symbolise how Lady Shallot is feeling. She trapped and she may feel very broken emotionally. Her illusion and lust over Sir Lancelot could also be broken. He may not like her back or even know she is there because she is trapped under the curse.
On the floor by Lady Shallots feet are unravelled balls of wool or thread. These could symbolise the mess Lady Shallot is in. She is trapped under a curse, lusting over someone whom may not even know she is there. They are unorganised and confused. Possibly symbolising what Lady Shallot feels like. Lady Shallot is holding her tools that she uses for her weaving within her hand. This could symbolise how torn she between her life of weaving and running after Sir Lancelot. She seemingly doesn’t know what she wants. This idea of being torn also further emphasises how she is feeling because she is trapped because of this curse.