Figure 6 The Madonna of Chancellor Rolin, 1435, by Jan van Eyck, 66 × 62 cm, Musée du Louvre, Paris. Atmospheric perspective (or aerial perspective) is highly characteristic of Flemish painting of the 15th century. The device of a landscape seen through a series of arches – a kind of picture within a picture, was used again and again, but Jan van Eyck’s painting is the first example. It creates a contrast between the soft light of the interior and the stronger sunlight outside. It also gives the picture a very real sense of depth, heightened by the brilliant light on the horizon, along the line of blue-coloured mountains.
Media and Area of Practice
l Is the work, for example, a painting, drawing, sculpture, photograph, video, sound work or installation, digital image or graphic design?
l What medium is used?
l Is it painted with oils or acrylic, printed, filmed, constructed with plaster, carved in marble or cast in bronze?
Process
l How do think the artist prepared – did she/he sketch or construct?
l Was this a collaborative work or a work of participatory art? (Were others involved or did others take part in its making?)
l How is it displayed? If it is in a frame, what is the frame like?
The Art Elements
The elements of art are the visual components or ‘building blocks’ for creating a work of art. Not every work contains every element, but at least two will always be present. Examine the work:
l How many art elements can you find? INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL STUDIES
Figure 7 Parachute, 2005, by Dorothy Cross, parachute and gannet, dimensions variable, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin. Parachute is a good example of bricolage – an artwork composed of different and unusual materials that happen to be immediately available.
l How has the artist manipulated these? l Have they been mixed with design principles?
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