AS Historical Art Niamh Parkes 230652
RIGUAD
This idea of wealth is backed up by a number of things in the background and setting, like the giant pilaster means the structure of the building must be large in order for it to be there. As well as this the vase in the corner of the painting. As vase of this scale would only be purchased by someone with lots of money.
The background in this painting is darker then the foreground this is because of the lighting and colours the artist had chosen but can also give another meaning to the viewer as to how powerful the model was.
In this painting the background and setting helps the viewer understanding towards the model. In the background there are columns and rows of books meaning the location of this painting is in a library. This also suggests that the model likes to study and is very well educated, the fact he has these books points out the viewer that he is wealthy.
The chair and desk in the painting have very defined detail and can also be associated with the models wealth as they are golden colour structured with red velvet drapes/cushioning.
The lighting in the painting is coming from an unseen point somewhere from the left. From this angle the light highlights the model and other things in the foreground . This gives the painting tone within it and allows the viewer to see the main features of the model clearly.
Another feature demonstrating he is relaxed is his left hand which is led open over the desk.
The details in the clothes, furniture are now lighter then the background as it is the main focus of the painting and are more recognisable to the viewer.
The models positioning in the painting is centre of the image h is not looking directly at the viewer either but looking off to the right. He has a slight smile o his face meaning that he is comfortable and relaxed. The model himself has quite a full face suggesting that he is well fed and has the money to do so. The clothes that the model is wearing gives the viewer information as to how powerful or rich he is. In the painting he is wearing a wig this means that he often had to dress up for important occasions and the wig would show his wealth/power. The model is also dressed in very detailed/well made clothes. The laced ruffles around his neck and wrist are very dressy as is the knee eth coat he is wearing. But the fact his collar around his neck is open suggest he is relaxed. This along with the fact he is wrapped in dark blue drapery is another symbol and way of showing the viewer his wealth and power.
About the artist Rigaud:
Some of his work:
Rigaud's works today is found in many of the world's major museums. The exact number of paintings he produced remains is unknown as it differs between experts. He’s produced a highly detailed catalogue full of a large number of paintings he also used more than a thousand different models. Many of copies in are found in Rigaud's book of accounts which was published in 1919. Rigaud painted many important figures in the world of art, he also painted portraits of poets. Rigaud's paintings captured very exact likenesses along with the subject's costumes and background details, his paintings are considered precise records of contemporary fashions, which is why he became popular very quickly.
DAVID
In this painting there is a man sat in a bath tub full of blood, he seems to have a stab wound in his chest which would explain to the viewer why his eyes are closed and why there is blood in the bath.
The positioning of the light in this painting is from above the man. There is nothing added to the dark background of the painting meaning that the artist intended for the viewer to only focus on the man.
On the floor next to the tub there is a knife, this would suggest to the viewer that this was the weapon used to kill this man.
In his hands there is a letter and quill this means that before his death the man was writing and reading something.
White headscarf at first sight could symbolise purity but is later clear its use is for medical reasons.
Placement of arm could have symbolic meaning to rebirth.
The impression that he is not very wealthy comes from the fact he is using a wooden box as a desk and the look of his bath tub.
The man looks young and healthy. He was made to look like this by the artist when actually he was 50 years of age.
Writing on the box is the signed by the artist David.
Research on the painting: After researching the painting I found out that it was produced in 1973 during the French revolution after the man in the painting called Marat was murdered in is bath tub. Marat had a skin condition that meant he needed to keep his skin in constant contact with water to dampen and calm the skin down. This also explains the head scarf as this was a damp cloth that he kept on him. The letter in his hand is written in French but translates as a letter from an admirer saying that they would like to meet him. The quill in his right hand was being used to write a check to a mother who lost his son during the revolution and wanted to help her. Before Marat could finish the check however he was stabbed in the chest and died in the bath. His name is written along with the name of the artist David who was actually a friend of Marats.
Plot twist/intention of the painting: This painting produced by David was a piece of propaganda that he created to persuade people to fight against the royalty during the revolution. The artist David was a leader of a group called Jacobins or National Convention which were a rebel group. Marat was involved in this group, is job was to find out the names of people who didn’t want to fight with them and have them executed. The artist wanted to use Marat's death as a way of getting people to join their fight in the rebellion. He did this by adding in this to make him look innocent or a hero. The bright light from above symbolises that Marat would be going to heaven, also the whit head scarf symbolises purity this would give the viewer the impression that he is a good hearted man. But he was actually hated by many people and was wanted dead. The letter that he is reading before his death was written by Charlotte Corday. She tricked him in to thinking that he was liked and someone wanted to meet him but actually she came to his house to kill him. Charlotte was later executed for killing Marat and the artist David wanted to use this to change the peoples mind about Marat. David has included a famous religious symbol in the painting. This symbol is the drooping arm over the tub. This arm is similar to a painting of Jesus the arm of Jesus suggested that he will live on and this is what the viewers of this painting relate it to. This painting became very scary to the people in France during this time and was later banned from the country and was illegal.
About the artist David:
Some of his work:
Jacques-Louis David was a French painter during the French revolution he produced is work in the Neoclassical style, which is a rebirth of the classical style of painting. David was considered to be the finest painter of the era. And in the 1780s his painting marked a change in strictness towards the classical way of painting and in return neoclassical became more popular. David later became an active supporter of the French Revolution and alongside his friend Robespierre was a dictator of the arts under the French Republic. After the death of his friend Marat who was in charge of producing a list of names of people who conspired against the revolution and would have them executed. He was imprisoned for a short length of time after his release aligned himself with another political regime alongside Napoleon (The First Consul of France). At this time he developed his Empire style of painting this is known for its use of warm colours. After Napoleon's fall from Imperial power, David went to Brussels and later the United Kingdom of the Netherlands where he stayed. David soon had a great number of pupils, this made him the main influence in French art of the early 19th century known as Salon painting.
GERICAULT
Gericault: The raft of the Medusa In this painting there are a large number of people on a hand made raft in the middle of the sea.
Some figures are stood up waving rags, this helps us to see that they are trying to locate another ship in the distance and attract they're attention to the rescue. Some figures are led slumped on the raft, this would suggest that they have drowned but have been dragged back on the raft for some The figures are hardly wearing any clothes and in some reason. cases they are completely naked. This would be very cold for them as they are in the middle of the sea. This would also help us to under stand the status of the people on board. They were left behind because they weren't seen as important enough to save by the higher classes.
The colours in the painting are very dark and dull because of the greens in the sea and the browns in the wood and sky but also the reds give a sense if danger. The tones are also very dramatic, this helps create the scene. The figures on the raft are all mangled and intertwined with each other, this helps us to see the how they are panicking trying to stay on the raft.
This raft was actually hand built by these people after their ship had sank and there was no more room on the life boats.
The lighting in the painting seems to be coming from the top left corner. From this angle the light highlights the people and other things in the foreground. This gives the painting tone and allows the viewer to see the main features of the people clearly and the detail of the artists work.
The placement and position of the bodies link to where the artist got inspiration from and how he practised the proportion of the bodies. This type
The background is darker then the foreground this is because the artist had chosen to make our attention be drawn to the main part in the painting but can also give another meaning to us as to how dark and dangerous their surrounding were.
Gericault also included a French officers uniform as the survivors he interviewed blam ed the event on an old captain who caused the Medusa ship to sink.
Gericault interviewed the survivors and found out that they ate each other‌so he included a bloodied axe in the painting which is led on the raft next to the edge of the raft. This allows us to understand the severity of the painting.
About the artist Gericault:
Some of his work:
Gericault often used military themes in his early paintings, he took to on military subjects after his return from Italy they are considered some of the earliest masterworks in that medium. His most famous work is The Raft of the Medusa which was based on the event of a famous French shipwreck, where the captain had left the crew and passengers to die. Gericault's version of this event was presented on an enormous scale, which he was completely dedicated to for a long time. As well as the painting's understanding of the unfair rights between classes but it also has a more natural meaning of man's struggle with nature. Gericault studied and practised to last detail for this painting he had people who posed for one of the dying figures and also went and studied amputated body parts to get the perfect colour and tone in dead flesh. The paintings style is between neo-classicism and romanticism (images that show feelings that cant be expressed in words) The painting ignited political disagreement when first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1819, he then travelled to England in 1820 where it received much praise. While he was there he saw urban poverty which inspired him to make drawings of his impressions, and published these observations.
DELACROIX
Delacroix: Liberty leading the people The two figures that are stood together represent very different social statuses. The man in the top hat, waistcoat and jacket is a member of the middle class. Whereas the second figure represents a member of the working or lower class. This suggests to us that Delacroix's message is the revolution unites these classes to fight together for their beliefs.
In the centre figure we have a personification of Liberty, a semi-nude muscular female. She wears the red Phrygian cap of liberty, which was worn during the first French Revolution. She is a symbol of struggle for freedom.
The colours in the painting are very dark and dull because of the seriousness the artist is trying to create.
In the bottom of the painting lay two dead bodies. The figure on the left is dressed in a long nightshirt this is because his body was dragged into the street from his bed and had been shot. This painting is a piece of propaganda. Delacroix is showing to us the terror that was spread by the kings followers who were murdering suspected revolutionary supporters. This was a warning to the fighters.
The lighting in the painting seems to be coming from above the women. This is to make it symbolise hope and freedom.
The background is lighter then the foreground this is because how the artist has positioned the light. He has made our attention to be drawn to the main part in the painting which is the women. suggesting that the artist wanted the meaning to be that there was a light in the fighters dark and dangerous surrounding.
The figures walk over the barricade and over dead royalist soldiers. Which are their enemies.
About the artist Delacroix:
Some of his work:
Delacroix's use of colour shaped the work of other artists, his passion inspired the artists who used symbolism in their work. He also illustrated various works of William Shakespeare. Unlike the neoclassical style which focuses on clearness of outline and carefully modelled art. Delacroix took inspiration from the art of painters from the Renaissance, with an added emphasis on colour and movement. Dramatic and romantic content characterized the central themes of his artwork, and led him far from the classical models of Greek and Roman art. Delacroix's best known painting is the Liberty Leading the People. It is an image of Parisians, taking action against the king and marching forward with a women who is representing liberty and equality. It shows the warriors lying dead in the foreground of the painting in front of the symbolic female figure, who is lighter then the rest, as if in a spotlight. Although Delacroix was inspired by contemporary events to inspire this romantic image of the spirit of liberty, he seems to be trying to convey the will and character of the people during the revolution. Rather than focusing on the actual event The warriors lying dead in the foreground offer poignant counterpoint to the symbolic female figure, who is illuminated triumphantly, as if in a spotlight.
DELAROCHE
Delarohe: The execution of Lady Jane Grey
In this painting there is are 5 people including Lady Jane Grey.
The positioning of the light in this painting focuses on lady jane grey more then anyone else in the painting and the background is a dark interior. The artist intended for the viewer to only focus on her, the fact she is dressed in white helps the viewers eye to be drawn to her but also it symbolises her innocence. Another technique that helps shoe her innocence is how the artist has painted the image. The paint has been applied very smoothly, this makes it look realistic and also allows us to see the tone of her skin in comparison to the people around her.
The two grief stricken ladies in waiting, with one sat slumped on the floor and one standing with her back to the us. Would have been close to Lady Grey and would have had to look after her.
An executer who is standing in an almost classical contrapposto manor. Contrapposto is usually seen in sculptures of heroic figures from ancient classical art, he is holding an axe this was the weapon used to kill Lady Jane Grey.
Lieutenant of the Tower of London, Sir John Brydges who seems to be guiding the blindfolded lady Jane grey to kneel next to a chopping block. Led next to the block is straw, this would suggest to the viewer that it would have been placed with the intention to absorb the blood.
Research on the painting:
After researching the painting I found out that it was produced in 1833. The execution of Lady Jane Grey happened on the 12th February 1554. Lady Jane Grey was an English noblewoman also known as the Nine Day Queen, as that was the length of time she was in rain before being executed. The great-granddaughter of Henry VII and after his son whom would have been air to the thrown died Jane was proclaimed queen on 10 July. Shortly after most of Jane's supporters abandoned her and the Privy Council decided to change sides and proclaimed Mary (Henry VII`s half sister) as queen on 19 July. Jane was held as a prisoner at the Tower and was viewed as a threat to the crown which meant she was convicted of high treason, both Jane and her husband were executed on 12 February 1554. Jane was only 16 at the time. This helps us to see why the artist Delarohe made her gave her a sense of innocence in the painting.
About the artist Delaroche: Delaroche was a French painter who became famous in Europe for his dramatic scenes that often focused manly of historic events from English and French history. The emotions emphasised in Delaroche's paintings are in the style of Romanticism but the detail of his work follow the trends of Neoclassicism. Delaroche aimed to depict his subjects and history with realism. He did not consider popular ideals and norms in his creations, but rather painted all his subjects in the same light whether they were historical figures, founders of Christianity, or real people of his time. He kept his style the same in every piece of work he produced. Some of his work:
Inspiration for my animation: Koons & Louis Vuitton
For my inspiration for my animation I found an advert for a Louis Vuitton Bag that had moving paintings in it. It showed 5 different famous paintings which where animated to move. The movements made the paintings look alive and this is what I would like to achieve in my own animation. At the end of the advert it showed the product, this was a Louis Vuitton bag which had the painting of the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci.
Animating features in the painting:
Making my animation using Photoshop:
https://youtu.be/plUuJC0T8q4
Using Photoshop I am able to animate the death of Marat paining and make some of his features move. Fist I opened an image of the painting in photo shop and rescaled the image to A4. Then using the quick selection tool I traced the hand holding the letter, I used the layer via cut option to separate the hand on a different layer to the background. I was then able to remove the hand from the background and use the clone stamp tool to fill in the area behind the hand to match the background. This means when I later get the feature to move there will be no white areas behind it. I then added the layer back on top where it was originally and then made it into a smart object, this allows me to then select the timeline toll in windows and this made a time line appear with my layer and background on. By selecting my layer I then could transform the feature by moving it however I wanted. When I was happy with it I could then replay it and watch the feature move. I redone this process with two other features in the panting. My idea was to make it look like he was dying in the animation by all of the features were dropping at once.