Description of pictures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Description of pictures - Essay Example Moreover, with regards to the colors which were used, these are almost invariably either bright earth tones or dark browns/black. This has the added affects of portraying a scene that is indicative of fire and the consumption of nature by such a force. Objects in the background are obscured by the vociferous action and drama that the flame-like brush strokes portend. Rather than seeking to understand the painting as a single undifferentiated unit, the viewer would perhaps do better to understand the painting as a result of its component pieces. Due to the fact that the painter has presented the viewer with several punctuated levels of energy/passion/drama upon the canvas, each of these can and should be integrated with upon a different level. To this author’s understanding, there are 4 such punctuated scenes that are exhibited within the artwork. Although it is beyond the skill-set of this author to define what each of these specifically mean, understanding that there exist 4 punctuated scenes within the broader scene is in and of itself a start to seeking to define and understand the intention of the artist to a more full and complete degree. The second picture represents a stark contrast to the first due to the fact that it has strong overtones of cultural understanding within its themes. Firstly, the viewer can and should realize that the pyramids are pictured beside the skyscrapers that exist within the background. This juxtaposition of old and modern helps to give a broader understanding to the tribal individual that is featured and represented in the foreground. With respect to this individual, there are several further thematic elements that serve to contrast and confuse the viewer. Firstly, although he shape of the pyramid along with the mountains in the background lead one to assume the painting is indicative of the Aztecs of Mayans, the tribal individual in the foreground represents much the same dynamic except for the fact that he has protrudi ng from his mask a set of elephant tusks; this of course helps the viewer to understand that the scope of the painting may very well be integrating with a more complex dynamic than merely showing the means by which a tribal Mayan/Aztec would understand and relate to the way in which the modern representation of life is so drastically different from his own. In such a way, the artist may be trying to convey the understanding that all ancient cultures are dramatically and irrevocably removed from the current society. In keeping with the theme of analyzing artwork that speaks to the experience of native peoples, the preceding piece of course shows a male and female Native American staring wistfully at an imaginative representation of a full moon. Two dynamics strike the viewer upon a closer examination of this particular piece. The first of these is the festive banner that spans the painting along the lower 1/3 of the artwork. This leads one to believe that some type of festive celebra tion or tribal activity may be ongoing; further reinforced due to the presence of a full moon in the sky. Accordingly, the second dynamic that strikes the viewer is with regards to the strange representation of imagery that is within the right hand of the man within the painting. As such, he appears to be holding a torch that is flaming both behind the head of the female and upon the heart of the male. Additionally, upon his hand there is a white star that is highly reminiscent of the star