Composition - examples of note

[John Reidy]

In my humble opinion the below pretty much describes Mike's comments on the placement of the subject in the painting. The "X" shows a central composition to me equalizing the sides and top.

Just an opinion.

[Mike McCarty]

John,

I think that pretty well illustrates what I was trying to say.

These are the paintings of Austrian academic classical artist, Hans Markart, 1840-1884.

I think these are interesting compositions, and this guy seemed to have a real flare for execution, which is demonstrated well in the crop of the first image. It appears that these first two images were painted when the artist was in his early thirties. I was still trying to master my times tables at that age.

1- Ms. Clothilde Beer 32x27 1874
2- crop of same
3- Karoline Gomperz 53x37 1870
4- Lady with red plumed hat 59x39

[Mike McCarty]

This is the Spaniard, Jose Gallegos y Arnosa, 1859-1917.

This is a little gem, I think. All this is such a small package.

El Rosario - Oil on panel, 7x11 1902

[Michele Rushworth]

7x11 !!!!?

[Mike McCarty]

Actually, it's listed as: 7 x 10 7/8 inches (17.8 x 27.9 cm)

I usually just round them off but maybe I shouldn't in this case.

Shakespeare's sonnet
XXIV.

Mine eye hath play'd the painter and hath stell'd
Thy beauty's form in table of my heart;
My body is the frame wherein 'tis held,
And perspective it is best painter's art.
For through the painter must you see his skill,
To find where your true image pictur'd lies,
Which in my bosom's shop is hanging still,
That hath his windows glazed with thine eyes.
Now see what good turns eyes for eyes have
done:
Mine eyes have drawn thy shape, and thine for
me
Are windows to my breast, where-through the
sun
Delights to peep, to gaze therein on thee;
Yet eyes this cunning want to grace their art,
They draw but what they see, know not the
heart.

[Jeanine Jackson]

Stunning, Mike! The second detail highlights the genius of this overall composition. One has to wonder how he captured this. My guess is that it was at least begun discretely right there in church which would explain the tiny size.

Thank you also for the sonnet. It added another dimension and sweetness to my morning.

[Carlos Ygoa]

I must agree with you Mike. That definitely is a gem. It was common for Spanish painters of the 19th century to produce small compositions like this. Then they also worked large formats (like 6 or 7 meter paintings) in compliance with conditions in their scholarship grants to Rome or Paris. Historical paintings, mostly. I

[Mike McCarty]

Carlos,

What great examples. I especially like the nun's painting. You are right, what better place to paint than a nunnery. I, being an uncloistered heathen, encounter too many distractions.

Hamlet.
If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this
plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice,
as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny,
Get thee to a nunnery, go; farewell. Or, if thou.
wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men
know well enough what monsters you make of
them. To a nunnery, go; and quickly too.
Farewell.

Ophelia.
O heavenly powers, restore him!

Hamlet.
I have heard of your paintings too,
well enough; God hath given you one face, and
you make yourselves another: you jig, you
amble, and you lisp, and nickname God's crea-
tures, and make your wantonness your ignorance.
Go to, I'll no more on't; It hath made me mad,
I say, we will have no more marriages; those
that are married already, all but one, shall live;
the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go.


Aaron Shikler's JFKennedy