Art Analysis free essay sample

Is it the creation itself or is it a combination of elements that make a piece a good piece of art. Artist use elements to add depth and meaning to the pieces they create. Artist such as Vincent Van Gogh, Sol LeWitt, Diego Velazquez, and Edward Hopper all had pieces that they used different forms to help capture the attention of the viewer and express their true meaning with the techniques they used in their portraits. Van Gogh and LeWitt both used lines and shapes to express themselves in their works The Starry Night and Wall Drawing No. 81. Van Gogh’s portrait shows many circular motions, which indicate the lines he was using were revealing how erratic he must have felt at this time. This seems to be just the opposite of LeWitt’s piece Wall Drawing No. 681. LeWitt used lines that were precise, controlled, mathematically rigorous, logical and rationally organized (Sayre, 2009). We will write a custom essay sample on Art Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These lines reveal that LeWitt was striving for perfection. This was not what Van Gogh was striving for. Unlike Van Gogh, LeWitt was trying to capture an idea where as, Van Gogh seems to have been expressing himself, his inner feelings. LeWitts piece is more architecturally geared. In Wall Drawing No. 681 LeWitt shows structure.The lines are not broken the lines come together, perhaps a representation of the LeWitts way of living. Even though all artist use lines in their pieces some artist, such as Diego Velazquez, use space they have to tell a story. In Diego Velazquez piece he organized his space within the painting to make it seem as though the characters were looking back at the viewer. Even within his vanishing point Velazquez uses the space to represent distance between the focal point of the portrait and the viewer.The reflection of the mirror also indicates that someone is looking from the outside into the portrait. Interesting how the placements of the person leaving the room and the mirror reflection can capture depth. Also the fact, that the artist paints the back of a canvas reveals that the images are looking out as we are looking in. By capturing the concept of the images looking out as the viewer is looking in the Velazquez was able to show the linear perspectives.Velazquez used the two dimensional technique to place the figures within his portrait which allowed the viewer to see the difference in space and placement of the figures which allow the viewer to feel as though he/she is looking in while the artist is lo oking out. Just as these artists were using lines, shapes, and dimensions, some artist will use color and light to capture and give meaning to their works. Edward Hopper did just this in his piece Nighthawks. With the use of light and color Hopper captures the focal point of his painting.When he changes the lighting technique we begin to see shadows within the drawing which indicate that less light was applied and the colors begin to darken in these areas as well. Because of the shadowing the viewer may interpret that this time of day could be early morning or early evening. It is not apparent to the viewer whether the shadowing is caused by natural light or from street lights, but the viewer is aware that lighting is causing the shadows and differences in color appearance.All three artists were trying to make different impressions for the viewers and did so using different techniques. Using color, shapes, lines and lighting are an integral part of any portrait. This artist just focused on one particular technique to produce portraits that have captured viewers for years. Some could say it was the talent of the artist, but it’s the way the artist used his talent in connection with these techniques that make the pieces a work of art.