Peanut Butter seeking Jelly

A romance film centers its plot on love, emotions, passions, and relationships. Most of the time, romantic movies are about courtship or marriage, and the ups and downs of each. They also often feature milestones, such as love in coming-of-age stories, passionate love, obsessive love, strange love, and many more.  The types of romance films that usually garner the most critical acclaim are the ones that end in the proverbial kiss, where the characters wind up together and “live happily ever after.”

There are various genres under the “umbrella” genre of romance films.  An example of this would be romantic comedy, and a movie like When Harry Met Sally.  It has an open sense of humor, but the plot is about love.

Romance films started as early as the 1890s.  They began showing romantic actions like love, lust, and desire though expression when the film was first invented because there was no sound to aid the emotion.  Romantic cinema evolved throughout time, showing different tie periods characterized by the type of romance.  For example, one period would be the harsh and painful qualities of love in the 1920s.

Romance Film: When Harry met Sally (1989):

Clip on You-tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRhCTnkd3vM

1.)In the clip our eye is first attracted to Meg Ryan’s character Sally. Probably because she is in the center in the film. 

2.)We believe there is a combination of low key and high key the scene is lit up everywhere. There is a medium amount of contrast or a normal amount of contrast in the film. Along with the lighting there is a disco ball that provides lighting as well as Christmas lights in the background that provide some lighting.

The Artist, Jim Brandenburg

photographs. Brandenburg’s photographs have been featured in The New York Times, Life, Times, Audubon, Smithsonian, Natural History, Geo, Modern Maturity, BBC Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife, and Outside, just to name a few. Jim’s most acclaimed works, however, were featured in National Geographic, where he worked for over 30 years. He worked for the National Geographic Society where he captured 23 magazine stories, television features and National Geographic books. Brandenburg has been awarded many prestigious honors both nationally and internationally. One of his most prestigious awards was the World Achievement Award given to him by the United Nations Environmental Program. Most of his photographs are to promote awareness for the environment and the people of the environment.

Evening Primrose

This picture is visually appealing due to the soft light placed upon the top of the flower. The flower appears to be very soft and almost heavenly. The contrast between the darkness of the background and the lightness of the flower draws the viewers eyes to this photograph. The way that the colors of the flower interacts together also create a visual appeal that draws the viewers attention. All of the colors in the flower are very soft and delicate yet the movement of the colors is bright and vibrant.

Pasque

This photograph draws the viewers attention with its bright and warm colors. The flowers in the foreground have soft contours and appear very graceful. The shadow effect that the sun in the background is creating on the flowers shows the setting time of day. The photograph shows the contrast between the warm background colors and the gray neutral colors in the foreground.

Badlands Deer

This photograph pulls the viewer in just by the magnitude of the picture. The viewer can see how far the photograph reaches with the increase of color as the mountain become closer. The difference of the colors from the far mountains to the closer mountains is remarkable and makes the viewer think. The deer in the foreground also show the magnitude of the mountains in comparison to the size of the deer. It’s beautiful because it appears that the photographer has gotten the deers attention and that they are looking at the camera.

Critique  - Throughout European history a plethora of talented and famous artists have emerged.  The greats like Michelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, Alessandro Botticelli, have and will be immortalized through their works, which are now world renowned and attract travels from across the world.  As stated in the text, “European art, traditional, pre-modern modes are often expressions of religious values.”  This is obviously true in such works as Michelangelo’s “Sistine Chapel” and “Pieta”, as well as Leonardo Di Vinci’s “The Last Supper”.  Much of European art, especially during the Italian Renaissance, portrays the bare or partially clothed human body, usually through paintings or sculptures.  One of the most famous of these is Michelangelo’s “David” which, on a it’s pedestal, stand 25′ tall depicts the naked body of David, holding his bullwhip over his shoulder after freshly slaying the mighty Goliath.  Again we can see how much of European on is inspired my biblical stories but at the same time it prominently displays the human body in it’s natural form, something the Catholic Church would not approve of.  Although just about every example of the Elements and Principles of Design of could found in European art we found the most defined to be:

Elements Of Design Most Commonly Used:

Form – This is best seen in Leonardo Di Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”  The way it is painted makes it appear almost 3 dimensional because of the shading and change in color that creates a vast depth between the subject and the background.  Also to be noted is the form of the subjects eyes, deep and realistic, they seem to follow you where ever you go.

Movement – Throughout the “Trevi Fountain” a vast range of movement is portrayed through the actions of each figure.  It seems as though anyone of them could come to life at any moment and spring from the very rock that holds them.  Even further increasing the allusion of movement is the water spouting from the fountain.  As it pours through the air and creates ripples in the fountain the reflection and refraction of light off of the water bring the forms to life, especially at night!

Movement is also shown in Alessandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.”  Through the use of the ripples in the water, not only does it appear that the angel, in the left of the frame, is flying in, but, thought the lines formed by the wind, it is clear that this angel is blowing Venus’s long hair in front of her bare body.

Color – This element was vastly used by European artists during the Renaissance to draw the eye to a specific figure or to divide different forms that are closed together.  ”The Birth of Venus,” “The School of Athens,” and “The Sisten Chapel” are all brought to live by the artists use of color.  Since most the grounds of European art are of stone and the people in these paintings are light skinned the artists liven up the paintings by adding drastically different colors to other features of the picture, like the teacher’s togas or Venus’s golden hair.

Texture – European sculptures are the perfect depiction of texture.  Once a single piece of marble and now chizzed down to form a masterpiece, works like the “David” or “The Trevi Fountain” are living pieces of art.  The David, standing 25′ tall, miraculously stands on its own; And although the public is forbidden to touch it one can see how smooth and detailed the form is.  On the contrary “The Trevi Fountain, which is outside and exposed to the elements has undergone decades of rain, wind, and human hands, leaving some areas coarser than others, yet, at the same time, never loosing an once of its beauty.

Principles Of Design Most Commonly Used:

Balance – Michelangelo’s “Sistine Chapel” is perfect in its dimensions of balance.  When starring directly up at it front the ground its clear its broken up into a grid of rectangularly framed images surrounded by triangularly framed images, all evenly distributed around the depiction of God Giving Life To Adam.  Similar to “The Sistine Chapel” is the “Trevi Fountain” in the sense that there is a main focus in the middle of the work that is encompassed by other forms in such a way that no side draws more attention than the other.  One piece that is often overlooked as perfectly symmetrically balanced is Leonardo Di Vinci’s, “The Last Supper.”  It is commonly mistake that Jesus Christ, in the exact middle of the paint, is surrounded my the 12 apostles, 6 on His right and 6 on His left.  However, unnoticed by most is the figure immediately to His right!  This figure is dresses in exactly opposing colors as Christ, and most interesting of all, this figure appears to be a women!

Proportion – One of my most personal favorite works of all time, Michelangelo’s “David” is designed to depict the perfect male form.  When studied the David is perfect, chizzed from a single piece of white marble, Michelangelo craved his feet, legs, abs, chest, back, arms, head, nose, chin, ears, eyes, etc.. to exact specifications.  However David’s most detailed and prominent feature is his massive hands.  When focused on one can see that his hands are huge, yet not overwhelming, to the rest of his figure.  Michelangelo did this to portray the unbelievable strength and importance of a young man’s hard worked hands.  It is also rumored that Michelangelo purposely made David’s hands so big to depict the massive power of Church and Government.

Emphasis – Similarly, in the “Sistine Chapel” as well as “The Last Supper” there is emphasis on the central activity of the paintings.  Around them there is a balance of other images and colors but this only draws more attention to the central frame.  For example this is a noticeable space between Jesus Christ and the “Apostles” that surround him.  Just as in the “Sistine Chapel” the depiction of God Giving The Touch Of Life To Adam there is no background colors to blend with this image as in the other paintings atop the ceiling.

Unity – An incredible display of unity can be witnessed in Michelangelo’s “Pieta.”  As the Virgin Mary holds her son, Jesus Christ, this sculpture seems to form a perfect unity with its self.  The look on the Virgin Mary’s face sets the mournful mood of the entire sculpture as the aged, gray stone flows downward, forming almost a pyramid look.  As Christ’s body lay motionless in her arms it beings to merge perfectly with her long cloth.  The color of the stone, so bland, so empty, creates such deep, dark shadows in her clothes that awake similarly deep thoughts in ones mind.   Perhaps the best example of unity in the “Pieta” is the flow of emotions that could only be portrayed through the bond of love between a mother and her son.  
 

Michelangelo – David 
 

Sculpture:

“David” by Michelangelo 

“David” is an example of Renaissance period artwork in Europe.  It is the ideal representation of what the period’s sculptures should appear like.  Depicting King David in the nude, it is one of the only works that show the King before the battle with Goliath, as opposed to after.  Michelangelo used the technique of  “Contrraposto,” the Italian term for a visual work with a relaxed appearance or the act of switching from stationary to being in motion.  Another example of Contrapposto would be “Leda and the Swan” by Leonardo DaVinci. 
 
 
 

Trevi Fountain 

Architecture:

“Trevi Fountain” 

The Trevi fountain by Nicola Salvi is a classical example of Middle European architecture.  Pope Clement XII, who held a contest for the design that Salvi ultimately won, commissioned the fountain.  The fountain illustrates the European affection for intricate designs with many powerful men valiantly posing, as well as horses with wings rearing.  The columns shown in the fountain also are a major part of European visual design culture, usually done in marble.  This element carried through to American society in the White House, with the large, white columns. 
 
 
 

Raffaello Sanzio – School Of Athens 

Clothing:

“School of Athens” by Raffaello Sanzio 

Showing the European fashion of the middle ages, the “School of Athens” is a prime example of the dress worn by Renaissance era Europeans.  Cloths are drapes strategically across the chest and arms, which women all over the world emulate today in pashminas and shoulder shawls.  The clothing appears to be very asymmetrical, and the style of dress for men usually includes dresses like togas, or loose fitting pants. 
 

Leonardo Di Vinci – The Last Supper 

Religious Art:

“The Last Supper” by Leonardo DaVinci 

“The Last Supper” is one of the most famous works of religious art known today.  Shown is the last supper of Jesus in his last days, when it is announced that an apostle is to betray him.  The work has been emulated various times since its completion, including on various other mediums. 
 

Alessandro Botticelli – Birth Of Venus 

Body Image Portrayal:

“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli 

“The Birth of Venus” depicts how European body images were portrayed in the Renaissance era of European culture through artwork.  Venus is shown to have flowing curves, not the rail thin ideals of modern society.  The other figures in the picture are rounded as well, with fleshy limbs and trunks.  The faces in the portrait are also seen to have round and soft features, a common feature in artwork of the period.

The Third Tree, Airmail Painting No. 174 by Eugenio Dittborn

Line: The lines in this piece are very easily recognized. the top line and base line give the piece form while the inside lines separate colors. The lines also form an illusion that the photographer might have taken the picture at an angle compared to head on.

Red Yellow Blue V by Ellsworth Kelly

Form, Shape, and Space: This piece shows three dimensional form. The change of the lines and the cut out section make the piece seem as though the image is three dimensional when it is actually not.

Wall Drawing #356 BB: Cube without a cube by Sol LeWitt

Movement: The main movement in this piece is the gray drape that is floating in the air from the woman’s hands. There is also movement in the background coming from the soldiers. This piece looks like it was a picture taken right as the troops were moving and the woman flinging the drape. 

The Gray Drape by Martha Rosler

Color: This piece shows the difference between color, yellow in this case, and white. It was also interesting to see the contrast of the gray carpet to the yellow base and the white top. It’s also interesting to imagine what would happen if the white sank into the yellow, creating a visually different yellow base color.

Two Volumes in the Virtual by Jesus Rafael Soto

Pattern: The same pattern was used throughout this piece. However, the colors were changed. The pattern consisted of small boxes with a series of circles in them. the circles would be in different colors and in the end, the small patterns ended up creating a picture of a man’s profile when they were all put together.

Roy II by Chuck Close

Texture: It is hard to see in this picture but this is a oil painting on velvet. The velvet creates a soft look to the paints however, the artist used loads of paint on parts he wanted to stand out. The mix of the oil and the velvet create a very appealing sight to the eye.

Portrait of Andy Warhol by Julian Schnabel

Balance: In this piece, the characters in the painting are all in motion but balancing on a wave and/or on a boat. The main focus of the painting is in the center with a man who looks to be carrying a large ball and struggling to keep it away from the others. He is poised and balanced while holding his ground. The others in the piece are also poised and centered, creating a very balanced piece of art.

People of Chilmark (Figure Composition) by Thomas Hart Benton

Proportion: At first glance this piece appears to be a mess of paint with no thought or plan. However, when the viewer truly looks at the piece, they can see small characters throughout the whole. The proportion of the little characters to the whole is dramatic because the viewer can barely see the characters unless they truly look at the piece.

The Geometers by Jean Dubuffet

Rhythm: The colors, lines, and shapes in this piece create the rhythm of the whole. The same colors are used but in varying shades, creating a loud or soft look. The shapes either pop out or sink into the whole piece creating a rhythm of value. The lines separate certain sections but do not separate the whole from itself. The rhythm of this piece is loud and flashy yet soft and serene. 

Morning Light (Dover Hills, October) by Oscar Bluemner

Oscar Bluemner: Oscar was originally well known for his architecture. His first accomplishment came when he designed the Bronx County Courthouse. 

Emphasis: The emphasis in this piece is in the foreground. The background of this piece is very bland and blase. However, the foreground has thick black lines, areas of bright red, green, and yellow, and shapes and forms that draw the viewers eyes to those areas. The artist creates areas of emphasis to draw the viewers eyes in and see what these shapes and forms are.

Naked Water by Yves Tanguy

Unity: This piece is only one of a series of mistakes. When the artist was creating these pieces, he wasn’t originally looking for “art”. However, he came up with a series of beautiful mistakes. This one shows a sense of unity with the colors fading into another but also the harshness of contrasting colors and lines. It is a union of the forms and the colors create a feel of unity even though they are sometimes contrasting each other.

Six Color Curl by Walead Beshty