IB#: 000186-0074
Comparative Study A focus on the portrayal of everyday objects and surrealism My comparative study focuses on surrealism and the portrayal of everyday objects. I really like artists and art that portrays everyday objects such as food and furniture. Because of this, the artists I chose for my comparative study are Wayne Thiebaud, Rene Magritte and Claes Oldenburg. The reason I chose these three artists is because I not only love their skill and choice in subject matter but also their stylistic choices such as color palette and composition.
Introduction to the Artists René Magritte (1898-1967) Belgian Surrealist Painter Became well known for thought provoking images Often depicted everyday objects in unique ways (ex/ cigarettes, doors, green apples, figures etc.) Challenged views of reality through surrealism Gained popularity in his fifties Wayne Thiebaud (1920-present day) American painter Widely known for his whimsical depictions of everyday objects such as lipstick, ice cream and paint cans. Distinctive stylistic choices such as his tinted blue shadows and pastel color scheme Works inspired by mass culture Claes Oldenburg (1929- present day) Swedish pop art sculptor One of the leaders of the pop art movement Artworks consist of mostly large replicas of everyday objects public installations
Texture Magritte utilizes a smooth texture in his oil paintings to convey a sense of ease in the viewer. However, he incorporates rougher textures for the trees in the foreground of the silhouette.
Mood
Color
Magritte utilized mostly cold colors such as varying shades of blues and purples to convey a sense of mystery in his artworks. His choice in color was also drastically influenced by the impact brought on both by his mother's suicide and the outbreak of war. however, he uses spots of bright orange to depict the windows in order to suggest warmth even amongst the cold background.
"The Happy Donor" evokes a sense of mystery and madness which draws the viewers into the painting. Through depicting a scene of night time in a silhouette and utilizing juxtaposition, Magritte challenges human assumption and our rigid perception of the world..
Proportion
The silhouette takes up the majority of the painting. There is also a high amount of contrast between the subject and background which draws attention to the main subject matter.
Angle The spectator is viewing the painting from eye level which is the most common point of view that Magritte uses in his artwork. This creates a clear perspective and allows the complex subject matter to be viewed at a relatively clear angle.
Rene Magritte The Happy Donor, 1966, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
Formal Response to Rene Magritte’s “The Happy Donor”
Personal Background/ Upbringing Rene Magritte was a Belgian Surrealist painter who became well known for his illustrative and bizarre depictions of everyday objects in unique positions and locations. His paintings and works still continue to have a profound impact on modern art.
Intellectual Context The Idea/concept behind Magritte's work is that people can’t portray the essence of reality no matter how hard we try. Because of this, Magritte was more drawn to a mix of reality and illusion that was relatable to viewers yet retained a sense of mystery.
Historical Context Influenced heavily by Futurism, Impressionism and Figurative Cubism, Magritte often included dreamlike elements in his painting to replicate the stylistic elements of the genres mentioned above. Due to the breakout of WWII and German occupation of Belgium, Magritte began to question the purpose of existence and conflict.
Rene Magritte The Happy Donor, 1966, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
Stylistically, his paintings everyday objects such as furniture in unusual and unique settings. He continually toyed with the idea of illusion and reality to reflect his inner conflicts.
Rene Magritte, Personal Values, 1952, Oil on Canvas, 80 x 100cm
Social Context Through art, Magritte wanted to help people detach themselves from the cruelty of reality and explore a new aspect of the things we are familiar with.
Rene Magritte, The Enchanted Domain, 1953, Oil on Canvas, Size Unknown
Context of Rene Magritte's Work
Texture Through the piece, Oldenburg replicated the smooth texture of the cone and the rough uneven texture of the actual ice cream.
Formal Response to Claes Oldenburg ’s “Dropped Cone” Composition The motif of the ice cream cone is a reference to the plastic cones that are frequently placed in front of ice cream stores in Europe. The ice cream sculpture is also tipped forwards, with excess ice cream melting off the sides, and onto the windows to create the effect of irrisistubility for viewers.
Color Claes Oldenburg, Dropped Cone, 1966, Steel, plastic, wood, (39ft) 12.1m x (19ft) 5.8m
Oldenburg utilizes a warm and “realistic” color scheme to portray his subject matter .
Mood Scale/ Size
"Dropped Cone" is 12.1m high and 5.8m in width. It is extremely large in comparison to most of Oldeburg's other artworks/ 3D works in general.
Scale/ Size
Evokes a feeling of happiness but also confusion as to why the ice cream is tilted, The installation also draws attention to the building which is situated on top of a shopping mall in Chalogne, Germany.
"Dropped Cone" is 12.1m high and 5.8m in width. It is extremely large in comparison to most of Oldeburg's other artworks/ 3D works in general.
Personal Background/ Upbringing Claes Oldenburg is an American sculptor (1929- present) best known for his large scale installations and soft sculptures of everyday objects.
Historical Context Oldenburg was heavily inspired by consumerism in the united states and the Pop art movemen that emerged in the 1950s. His work included imagery from popular culture such as advertising, comics and cultural objects.
Intellectual Context
Claes Oldenburg, Free Stamp, 1991, Steel and aluminum; painted with polyurethane enamel28 ft. 10 in. x 26 ft. x 49 ft. (8.8 x 7.9 x 14.9 m)
Oldenburg was highly interested in the meaning behind everyday objects and wanted to create large scale art installations to make the viewers question the purpose and intent behind everyday objects as well. His works such as "Free Stamp", as shown on the left, are placed at a toppled or unusual angle to imply that although there are societal rules that should be followed, society should essentially be free.
"Dropped Cone" is situated on top of a shopping mall in Chalogne, germany. Claes Oldenburg, Dropped Cone, 1966, Steel, plastic, wood, (39ft) 12.1m x (19ft) 5.8m
Social Context Inspired by consumer industry and culture, Oldenburg wanted to make pieces that were large, eye catching and would draw immediate interest and attention.
Context of Claes Oldenburg's work
Function
The purpose of large scale art installations is to engage the public and allow for more visual impact.
Claes Oldenburg, Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks, 1969, weathering steel 740 cm × 760 cm × 330 cm
Formal Response to Wayne Thiebaud’s “Lollipop Tree”
I was initially really drawn to this because I loved the composition and the colors within this painting and the subject matter it depicted.
Pattern: Thiebaud depicts pattern through the repetitive circular shapes of the lollipops of the composition. Color/ Tone: Thiebaud’s colors are more complicated, the white frosting is not just white, but it is also orange, blue, and beige. The cakes cast bluish shadows that exaggerate the main subject matter. He also frequently used complimentary colors to make his subjects stand out more.
Composition/ Use of Space: The entire piece has a vertical line of symmetry with the subject matter placed directly in the middle.
Texture: As seen from this portion of the piece, the texture is smooth, and creates an atmosphere of ease for the viewers.
Harmony: The painting uses simple shapes and repetition of different visual elements to make the subject stand out.
Wayne Thiebaud, Lollipop Tree, 1969, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
Perspective: The perspective of the painting is eye level to the subject of the painting. This makes the subject matter more comprehendable and easy to understand for the average viewer.
Context of Wayne Thiebaud's work
Social Context Thiebaud often depicts everyday objects such as lipsticks, hot dogs and desserts which are Influenced by mass culture in addition to paintings and prints of Mickey Mouse and different streetscapes. When he initially gained interest in art, he was inspired by comic strips and cartoons such as George Herrman's Krazy Kat.
Personal Background/ Upbringing Wayne Thiebaud was an American painter known for his colorful, illustrative images of commonplace objects such as desserts, lipsticks, paint cans and hot dogs. One interesting fact about Thiebaud is that he worked on Walt Disney productions of Goofy and Pinocchio.
Krazy Kat Comics
Historical Context Thiebaud was born in the 1920s during the Great Depression when a lot of new art movements were on the rise. The Great Depression, a worldwide economic depression that began in the U.S, had a propound impact on consumerism culture. Because of this, genres such as Pop art, new realism, Bay area figurative movement were increasing in popularity.
Wayne Thiebaud, Lollipop Tree, 1969, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
Intellectual Context Thiebaud was Influenced by classic pop artists and trained as a commercial artist during his early career.
Thiebaud
Oldenburg Oldenburg utilizes a warm and “realistic” color scheme to portray his subject matter.
very symmetrical, centered subject matter, neat--->central line of symmetry Pastel, light colors Complicated combinations of colors Layered thick layers of paint on top of one another
Everyday subject matter
Replicated the smooth texture of the cone and the rougher uneven texture of the actual ice cream.
played with Sky is in negative space composition and juxtaposition. features the sky as
smooth texture an element compositionally and brushstrokes triangular formcolor palette is almost Similar medium and identical-->such as scale of works cream and blue
Formal qualities: compare and contrast
Sky is in positive space Incorporated natural elements such as the sky and clouds and landscape in general . cool color scheme to convey a sense of madness and mystery
Magritte
Thiebaud
Oldenburg
Utilized art and works as a Homely, sweet conveys a sense form of satire Both Thiebaud of warmth and Oldenburg use sweets to Social/ historical context: Great Social/ historical context: Great convey ideas-Depression/ Vietnam war/ Depression/ height of the >use the general Protests against the Vietnam War practice of consumerism public's love for sweets and mostly worked in 3D and desserts as an sculpture-->wanted his art to attention grabber Worked in mostly oil painting and make an immediate and large illustration
impact on viewers
All three artists created work as a response to unclear as to Response to war historical events. when and where and doubt about the scenes conflict they're depicted are occurring
Magritte
Created works, in part, due to conflicts which arose in Europe at the time German occupation of Belgium Many of his works convey his doubtful attitude towards warfare
Cultural Context/ Thematic Comparison
I was inspired by the way Thiebaud’s subject matter is “suspended”, like it could exist in any space. My art also uses this technique to give the painting a more whimsical feeling.
Similarity in Subject Matter Selection Like Thiebaud, I also frequently depict everyday objects such as lipsticks, hot dogs and desserts which are influenced by social culture.
Stylistic Similarity Both me and Thiebaud utilize subject matter which is easy to comprehend for the average viewer. As previously mentioned, Thiebaud is extremely well known for his oil paintings of desserts and other everyday subjects such as lipstick or paint buckets. I really like Thiebaud’s whimsical art style and the colors he chooses in his paintings and I decided to incorporate a lot of his visual elements into my own work. I really like Thiebaud’s whimsical art style and the pastel colors he chooses to depict subjects in his paintings.
Similarity in Intent
Wayne Thiebaud, Lollipop
Both of our paintings are intended to bring viewers happiness and convey a feeling of overall ease and curiosity surrounding where the subject matter of the piece is physically located. I also used the art element of "balance" like Thiebaud to make the piece visually comprehensive and neat.
Tree, 1969, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
Relating to my work pt. I
Relating to my work pt. II
Similarity in Subject Matter Selection Like Oldenburg, I frequently depict everyday objects in unique and unusual compositions. I arranged my piece "Pocky" by buying over 10 packs of "Pocky" cookies. While I was creating this piece, I had to be conscious of how the Pocky had to be laid out in order to create a more visually appealing effect. I ended up stacking many layers of Pocky together to create a new typeface. Through this artwork, I hope to remind viewers of the joys of childhood and how easy it was to attain happiness as a child.
Similarity in Intent
Both me and Oldenburg tried to evoke a sense of familiarity AND confusion through our pieces.
Rene Magritte The Happy Donor, 1966, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
Stylistic Similarity
Relating to my work pt. III
Magritte and I Incorporated similar elements by combining realistic elements with more surrealist ones. In the context of my painting. the elements such as the sky and clouds and combined them with man made elements. In mine, the stars are hung from the sky and in Magritte's painting, the subject and background are both placed in a very deliberate manner.
Both my oil painting “Dreamscape� and Magritte's "The Happy Donor" incorporate elements of surrealism and challenge human perceptions of reality. i was really inspired by Magritte's use of cold colors with a dash of warmth and how it contributes to the mood of the painting. Thus, I also tried to use a similar color scheme in my own work.
Rene Magritte The Happy Donor, 1966, Oil on Canvas, 32.01 in x 10.2 in
'What does that mean?' It does not mean anything, because mystery means nothing, it is unknowable."
Both of me and Magritte's paintings convey a sense of mystery regarding the location of the subject matter. It is not immediately apparent the location the painting is depicting.
Similarity in Medium Both "Dreamscape" and "The Happy Donor" use oil paint as its main medium. Oil is more smooth and can convey a smoother texture.
Thiebaud "An Eye for Art - Observing Everyday Life - Wayne Thiebaud." https://www.nga.gov/. Last modified January 2008. Accessed March 6, 2020. https://www.nga.gov/content/dam/ngaweb/Education/learning-resources/ an-eye-for-art/AnEyeforArt-WayneThiebaud.pdf. "Wayne Thiebaud." http://www.artnet.com/. Accessed March 6, 2020. http://www.artnet.com/artists/wayne-thiebaud/. https://www.moma.org. Accessed March 10, 2020. https://www.moma.org/artists/3692https://simplicable.com/new/types-of-commercial-art.
Magritte "What You Need to Know about René Magritte." https://www.artsy.net/. Accessed March 6, 2020. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-rene-magritte. "René Magritte." http://galeriamayoral.com. Accessed February 16, 2020. http://galeriamayoral.com/en/artist/magritte/. Mignon, Taylor. "Evoking the mystery of the world." https://www.japantimes.co.jp/. Last modified July 24, 2002. Accessed March 4, 2020. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2002/07/24/arts/evoking-the-mystery-of-the-world/#.Xmg_lagzaUk. "René-François-Ghislain Magritte." https://www.britannica.com/. Accessed March 3, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rene-Magritte. "Magritte." http://www.schirn.de/. Last modified February 25, 2020. Accessed March 2, 2020. http://www.schirn.de/magritte/digitorial/en. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/a-history-of-belgian-surrealism-more-than-magritte/
Oldenburg "Claes Thure Oldenburg." https://www.britannica.com/. Accessed February 27, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claes-Oldenburg. "Claes Oldenburg." http://www.omertiroche.com. Accessed February 19, 2020. http://www.omertiroche.com/artists/claes-oldenburg/.
Citations