Analysis of Lines in Artwork: Mandolin, Lion, Gypsy - Essay Sample

Introduction

The lines in this piece are horizontal. They also look very thin and rigid. Be that as it may, since they are simplistic in nature, they make this piece flow. For instance, lines in the lion's mane go in a different direction compared to those lines in the gypsy's garment. Moreover, the lines of colors within the garment are thicker than the rest of the lines.

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Line: Analyze

The lines on the mandolin appear to be taut to give the impression that the instrument can make musical sounds. The lines on the woman's garments contour to her womanly figure. On the lion's mane, the hairs appear to be tangled and wavy. On the horizon, smooth lines are shaded together, forming the mountains. A walking stick held in the gypsy's hand looks rigid in appearance.

Line: Interpret

The diagonal line focuses our attention towards the lion smelling the Gypsy while she sleeps. The horizon is interpreted as a boundary to the viewer's eyes, limiting the ability to see anything beyond it. The lines on the Gypsy and lion are flowing in opposite directions, thus creating a mood of different pathways. The lion appears to have broken brush strokes, while the ones on the gypsy are straighter. The curves of the gypsy's body create a relaxed feeling for the audience because we know she is in a peaceful sleep.

Line: Evaluation

The horizontal lines convey a sense of space and distance from where the lion and gypsy are. The lines are almost perfect, just like the circle of the moon, creating the impression that the gypsy is dreaming. It creates a feeling that the animal is unrealistic, looking as if he is a stuffed animal. These perfect lines create an illusion that we are inside the gypsy's head, watching the dream from the outside.

Shape: Describe

In this piece, we see both two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures. The lion and the gypsy both look rectangular. We have a moon in the far right corner that is two dimensional and flat. Even though the figures have a 3D look to them, the artist makes them look very flat.

Shape: Analyze

Organic shapes are represented by the lion and the gypsy. The foreground has positive forms, while in the background has negative forms. The landscape is "negative" because our eyes are not drawn to the background. Within the painting, Rousseau avoids a lot of shading to make its objects appear 2D.

Shape: Interpret

The objects in this piece appear to be rectangular, making this piece a closed composition. The painting is not allowing its viewers' eyes to wander off; rather, it has a specific focus on the lion and the gypsy. The sharp edges of a rectangle frame how the artist portrays the gypsy and the lion. This stiff like quality could be symbolic of the moods that the organic figures possess.

Shape: Evaluation

Both the gypsy and the lion look to be stiff and rigid. Perhaps the gypsy is sleeping and is awakened by a sense of a presence lurking over her. With fear, the gypsy grabs her walking stick as protection and makes no sudden movement with hopes that the lion wanders off, leaving her unharmed. At the same time, the lion is cautious with this unfamiliar figure, yet curious as to what this creature might be.

Color: Describe

We see a lot of primary and secondary colors with a blue brownish overcast. Our background is mainly the primary color blue, with a white moon. The midline of the painting is a white-gray mountain backdrop. In the foreground, we experience browns and sandy beige. The secondary color in the bottom right of the picture is an orange vase. The garment, however, is mixed with other vibrant colors.

Color: Analyze

The hues in this piece are mainly brown, blue, orange-yellow, and black. The dark downcast of the painting makes the appearance feel like it is nighttime. The colors create a peaceful mood. The color of the coat of the lion tends to trickle down the painting. The colors appear to be separated, allowing our eyes to adjust easily with the work.

Color: Interpret

These colors make the art seem as if it was modern, however, it dates back to 1897. The colors of this art represent life and nature. The use of these colors makes the painting seem as if the gypsy is dreaming. The centerpiece has bright primary colors that give its organic objects life. The rest of the piece is darker creating a sense of space.

Color: Evaluation

The colors are what help us visualize this piece as a dream. The picture has a sense of realism since the figures are organic. The warm uses of red and orange give us a peaceful vibe. The use of a white full moon creates strange nightfall. We get a cartoon feel for the use of colors used in this piece.

Texture: Describe

When we look at this painting, we see very smooth lines and brush strokes. The images in the artwork flow together to create an unrealistic mood. If we grazed our fingertips over the canvas, it would feel very smooth as if the paint is all connected. We can see that the painting is not overlapping or bulging out. The lines in the painting appear to be very thin as if the artist was barely applying pressure to his strokes.

Texture: Analyze

There are horizontal brushstrokes throughout the piece. Thin layers of paint are made covering the canvas; because of this, we can see the cracks of the blank canvas underneath the artwork. This piece was supposed to be drawn in a simple way to create an even flow running from end to end of the canvas.

Texture: Interpret

The artist wanted this piece to be very subtle and easy to read. Making the tactile qualities of the work smooth creates a mood of calmness to an observer. The flow of the paintbrush running from left to right of the canvas captures our eyes and helps us escape into the painting.

Texture: Evaluation

A wandering lion passes by the sleeping gypsy without devouring her creates a poetic mood. The smooth texture in the painting allows us to view this poetic sight. The brush strokes flow together to create an even mood. It is very calm and the painting speaks to us in a quiet tone. The flatness of the painting makes the painting seem like a dream.