Trend of Modernist Art

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer looks at realism and notes that realism was also considered to be illusionism. The writer explains that this was because, in realism, the artist made every attempt to create the illusion that what was being seen was as though the viewer were looking through a window into a moment in life. The writer points out that illusionism required a strong focus on shadow and light, as well as the composition of the figure in relationship to the canvas. The writer discusses the concept of illusion in painting, focusing on paintings by Ingres, Cezanne and Matisse, small copies of which are included in the paper.

From the Paper:

"In the painting by Ingres the painter has utilized black background in order to give the illusion that the subject is close in proximity to the viewer. The line of the drapes serves to draw the viewer's eye closer to the subject, leading into the line of the woman that is the center of focus. The artist then uses shadow and light to accentuate the figure, detailing the shape of her form. Color is also used to add to the portrait, with blues in the drapes and on the bed. This serves as an additional background for the flesh tones that are used, which are mildly distorted on the legs, as the artist attempted to give the illusion of leg length and realism in relation to the woman's position on the bed. Additionally, naturalistic tones have been used in the painting that adds to the realistic affect of the work."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Matisse: The red room. (n.d.). Galilean. Retrieved May 1, 2007, from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/math5.pattern/lesson8art.html
• Relationship between pattern and modern painting. (n.d.). Dartmouth. Retrieved May 1, 2007, from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/math5.pattern/lesson8art.html
• The roots of modern art. (n.d.). Galilean. Retrieved May 1, 2007, from http://www.galilean-library.org/roots_of_modern_art_4.html

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