Task 2: Visual Analysis

23/2/2024 - 8/3/2024 | Week 3 - Week 5
Johanna Leong Hui Ninn 0359221
Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours)



Task 2 Brief Recap

This second assignment involves observing the visual elements of our chosen artwork in the first assignment. Furthermore, it is required to analyze and explain in detail about the design principles found in the said artwork. It is also required to observe the many other artworks of the artist that we have chosen from the previous assignment and examine their similarities. 


Visual Analysis


Phase 1: Observation

The painting captures it's scene in a portrait format. At the center features a young bride in a white gown with a sad expression as she gazes down. Next to her is her groom, an elderly man who wears a stern and serious expression. The difference between their ages is striking, emphasizing the unequal marriage. Moreover the setting seems to take place in some sort of cathedral as suggested by the background. The priest who is positioned at the side is solemn, highlighting the ceremony's formality and ritualistic nature. The people surrounding them are portrayed with indifferent expressions, perhaps reflecting the acceptance of such unions in society. In terms of color, the painting features a low saturated palette, which gives off a somber mood. 

(124 words)

Phase 2: Analysis 

The painting features a strong contrast between youth and age, innocence and experience, highlighting marital inequality.  It is further shown by the color and detail in portraying the characters. The artist highlights the young bride, creating emphasis on her vulnerability and the societal injustices. Despite the static nature of the scene, there is a sense of movement conveyed through the figures' gestures and expressions, especially the bride's posture and gaze, suggesting resignation. The composition achieves harmony, with surrounding elements contributing to overall unity of the scene. Rich in symbolism, the painting uses the bride's white dress to symbolize innocence and purity, while the groom's attire symbolizes age and experience, adding depth and highlighting the societal issues of the painting. 

(119 words)

Phase 3: Interpretation 

Vasily Pukirev's works align with the Realism movement in art history, which emerged in the mid-19th century and is characterised by subjects painted from everyday life in a naturalistic manner (Tate, n.d.). He is renowned for emotionally charged and socially relevant works often imbued with religious themes. His paintings focus on human emotions and societal injustices, focusing on historical plots with emotional depth and social commentary. Pukirev arranges his compositions to convey narratives, emphasizing storytelling and character development. A notable technique, is his use of light and shadow which adds depth and drama to his paintings. His attention to detail, especially in facial expressions and gestures, conveys intense emotions. 

(107 words)

Reference: Tate. (n.d.). Realism | Tate. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/r/realism#:~:text=In%20its%20specific%20sense%20realism,a%20realistic%20almost%20photographic%20way

(Phase 1,2,3 Overall word count: 350 words)

Weekly Feedback

Week 4: My lecturer said the content of my task 2 post is in the correct direction. Just that the picture of the selected design from task 1 and addition information of the two painting's movement in phase 3 need to be added, as well as shortening the writeups to fit the 300-350 word quota.

Week 5: Edits to the phase 3 description need to be made which are the movement of the artist's art need to be moved to the start of the paragraph instead of at the end and a citation about the movement of the artist's art must be included as well. The overall alignment of the blog needs to be change so that it is all in a consistent format.


Reflection

In this assignment, I had the opportunity to explore the visual elements and design principles of the artwork I selected for the first assignment in further depth. Through careful observation and analysis, I was able to identify and explain in detail about the design principles in the chosen artwork. This process allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how these design principles contribute to the overall impact and meaning of the artwork.

Additionally, I explored other artworks by the same artist, comparing them to my chosen artwork to identify similarities in style and theme. This comparative analysis helped me to appreciate the artist's unique style and thematic concerns, providing insights into their artistic vision and creative process.

Overall, this assignment has deepened my appreciation of each chosen artworks and has enhanced my understanding of the artist's art style and motives in their works as a whole.


Further Reading

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