Visual Analysis

Introduction

Greater realism characterizes the development of artwork throughout history.  The emergence of individual figures and linear perspectives has helped explain why particular arts are considered to be special.  There are various forms of arts in Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami campus. These pieces of work date back to the Renaissance to Rococo periods. The gallery has a collection of drawings and other artworks. The availability of a wide range of artwork has helped focus easily on themes that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance era. Ceramic art artworks form part of the visual arts in the Museum. The word "ceramics" is derived from a Greek word meaning pottery.  The ceramic artwork has a long history in all developed cultures.  Cultures particularly noted for ceramics include modern Western cultures as well as Cretan, Chinese, Greek, Mayan, Persian, Korean and Japanese cultures. Different artists have placed different degrees on different elements at different times. Elements of ceramic art include the decoration by painting, shape of the objects, carving and other techniques and the glazing found on most ceramics. The paper discusses a ceramic jar painting that is instantly recognizable for its subdued and unsophisticated subject matter, muted color palette and quiet simplicity. The paper provides an overview and analysis of the artwork, its main features and traits of the ceramic jar painting by taking a view on the use of color and tone, perspective, sense of composition and other aspects of the artwork. The stylistic factors that have been examined reflect an artwork that is emanates a timeless sense of hushed contemplation.

Discussion

The most outstanding artwork was a drawing of a ceramic jar. It is an old artwork painted on canvas medium. The artwork is characterized by the use of vibrant colors and a layering of figures.  It portrays the artist's aspect of culture. The artist virtually excavates the dimensions of Cray art. The artist seemed versatile in his aesthetic style and was particularly committed to Ceramic artwork. From my observation, the artwork has been drawn uniquely and sharply by the artist giving the artwork a standing in the Harlem Renaissance themed art.

            In the artwork, the predominant color scheme is beige, light brown, dark brown and gray. The subject of the artwork is a single ceramic jar represented against a gray background. The piece of work presents a ceramic jar that has a pottery glaze. The color of the front varies from the color on the ground, from dark blue to gray. On one side, the painting has accents of brighter colors, possibly suggesting light falling on the object.  There are shafts of strong white light that form part of the composition. The light source seems to be a window. The light source appears to come from predominantly one direction on the foreground. The artist has imitated the effects of light in a realistic fashion.

The piece of work depicts an elegant, ceramic vase-shaped jar standing in front of a vertical rectangle, set into a grey-dark blue background. The grey-blue rectangle could be read as a screen or doorway.  The suggestion of interior space has been further emphasized by shadow and shafts of light which falls on the floor near the top of the ceramic jar.  The piece of work has been carefully modeled not to lose the spontaneity implied by the brush marks. The simple piece of works shows that more details may not necessarily enhance a painting. In fact, careful editing may have a significant impact compared to excessive elaboration. The choice of palette is limited. This helps in establishing color harmony. The canvas has been toned with a light wash of dark colors.

The piece of artwork portrays a piece of ceramic. The art uniquely stands in the foreground due to the artificial lighting effects and jarring spatial distortion. This has provided a visual rhythm to the artwork.  The artwork is complete with the ceramic. The white space far in the background soaks the drawing in bright light. The drawing is filled with energy from color, composition, and painting allowing the artist to push everything through an expressionist filter.

The artist’s subject matter, Ceramic jar gravitated towards everyday objects that could be found in the kitchen.  The object is familiar yet intentionally stripped of various forms identifying marks such marks and labels. This lends the ceramic jar a sense of universality as the object could easily come from any kitchen or shelves as well as a sense of anonymity.

The ceramic jar has been placed on a flat surface such as a nondescript tabletop. The key factor is that this type of domestic object is utterly unremarkable. A ceramic jar is not ostentatious or loud and rarely demands people’s attention. It was not an object for the rich or famous rather a silently humble object. It is drawn to bring out a reality that is not dressed to impress. The artist focuses on an object that is commonplace in order to shine a light on the functional objects utilized everyday that were often taken for granted or overlooked.

The ceramic jar has been painted as a still life object with weighty, chunky appearance. It seems sturdy and solid. It appears almost architectural in form. The style resonates with the functionality of the ceramic jar. The object was designed to be used often, but not to be admired. The ceramic jar has a matte, slightly dull surface appearance. The force of the composition matches the theatrical effects of light, architectural setting and dramatic technique. The work of art is surprising too for the bold of its foreshortened perspective, for the cool, for the effects of light and clear colors that push the heart of the picture towards the viewer. The painting is characterized by features a diagonal that are highlighted by the flames.  There are small drawings that have been scripted in the ceramic drawing crossing from bottom right to top left. Its colors progressively change from a deep brown to a pearly brown against which the small drawings are scribbled and accentuated.

It lacks a bright reflection or any shine compared to other paintings. It has an absolute minimal amount of highlights and shading. The artist takes subtle gradations of brown to new levels. There is a hint of three-dimensionality while still retaining an artistic presence. This can be seen b observing the painting on the right.  The artist uses a muted color palette for this form of still paintings, balancing the drawing with whites and brown colors, irregularly foraying into other equally solemn colors. The artist deliberately uses pale color creating an inward-looking painting that is sensitive to the object portrayed.

The artist employs a careful balance of subtle tones and subdued colors. The art is built at form using limited stylistically tonal range. Tone determines the lightness or darkness of a color. A light tone has been used to indicate a highlight while a dark tone indicates a shadow. In this particular painting, the ceramic jar appears flat due to the artist’s balance of the wide tone range. The object only carries a slight hint of gray concentrated on one side, demarking three-dimensionality.

On the left, the painting has a clear light source that results in heavy shadows on the right. The apparent solidity of the ceramic jar is undeniable. The perspective of the ceramic jar paintings is looking straight on at it, or looking down at it. By looking at the painting, there is a certain mysterious ambiguity to the location of the ceramic jar set-up. Because it is difficult to pinpoint a particular location of the ceramic jar, the painting has an anonymous, silent quality.

The lighting in this artwork has a unique component that has enabled the artist to establish either vivid or dull shading, coloring, highlighting and flat tones on the subject. It is a crucial decision in creating the desired atmosphere around the subject. Lighting has been used as the main theme. For example, the object has been set in a way that the lower part is illuminated by a strong light while the others part is illuminated by a dim light. This creates a great depth and drama in the ceramic jar painting.

The artist has worked in a painterly style, in which the brushstrokes are slightly visible. This is an important part of the work of art. The brushstroke enables the artist to create a semi-smooth surface appearance. The ceramic jar has been painted in such a way that the handling of the paint has a contemplative importance as the artwork he is painting.

This artwork is an influential one in the Harlem Renaissance. The artist was an American modernist who had the ability to bring together drawings, paintings, prints, and illustrations. The abstract art style seems to have been influenced by many factors.  The artwork is unique as it combines traditional African American imagery, deco style, and cubist rhythms.  These types of painting opened doors for artists in Harlem period and had a significant impact on American modernism. Attention to detail and greater realism has been reflected in the creation of linear perspective and the increasing realism of the drawing.

Conclusion

Different factors formed the inspiration behind a long range of artistic styles developed during the period. During different periods, artworks changed dramatically causing a huge shift in style. Many artworks created new exciting forms and styles in reaction to trends. Essentially, pieces of arts were significantly influenced by various factors which took place during different periods. The piece of work depicts an elegant, ceramic vase-shaped jar standing in front of a vertical rectangle, set into a grey-dark blue background. Lighting has been used as the main theme. The lighting in this artwork has a unique component that has enabled the artist to establish either vivid or dull shading, coloring, highlighting and flat tones on the subject. The perspective of the ceramic jar paintings is looking straight on at it, or looking down at it. By looking at the painting, there is a certain mysterious ambiguity to the location of the ceramic jar set-up.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in college research paper services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for best essay services online.