Analytical Comparison and Contrast - Coursework Example

 Essay 2: Analytical Comparison and Contrast The process of analyzing similarities and differences between two similar items unearth some hidden or unnoticed facts on the same. Besides, the foretold process between two similar items (say two Artworks) is difficult because it is a tiresome task. Here, the artworks, ‘The Blue Boy’, an oil painting by Thomas Gainsborough, and ‘Pinkie’, a portrait by Thomas Lawrence, are made use to compare, under the subject: Two artists’ conceptions of a single theme. Thesis statement: Analysis of similarities and differences between two Artworks to attain an inference on the same by considering the artists, the viewers, and related facts in history or society (special references to the artworks: ‘The Blue Boy’ (portrait), by Thomas Gainsborough, and ‘Pinkie’ (portrait), by Thomas Lawrence). Analysis The analysis of the artworks ‘The Blue Boy’( See appendix -1) by Thomas Gainsborough, and ‘Pinkie’( See appendix -2) , by Thomas Lawrence is based on the following factors like the artists, assessment as a viewer, and other related facts in history or society, and strictly based on similarities and differences. I. Artists A. Similarities One can easily identify a number of similarities between Thomas Gainsborough and Thomas Lawrence. The following are some important similarities. First of all, the first names of the artists (Thomas Gainsborough and Thomas Lawrence) are similar. Besides, both the artists made use of the same medium to express their creativity (say, oil and canvas). Both the artists were British citizens, who primarily focused in portrait painting. Within their lifetime, they were considered as noteworthy portrait painters in Europe. As pointed out, they made use of oil and canvas as their medium, which was most suitable for portrait painting. Both the artists transformed their personal interest (say, drawing/painting) into their career as painters. B. Differences There exist a number of differences between Thomas Gainsborough and Thomas Lawrence. The following are some important differences. Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury. On the other side, Thomas Lawrence was born in Bristol. Thomas Gainsborough’s father was a weaver by profession, but Thomas Lawrence’s father was an inn keeper. Before becoming a landscape painter, Thomas Gainsborough was a landscape painter. James Ernest Thorpe states that “The Blue Boy was often thought of as Gainsborough’s greatest painting” (435). Later, he turned to portrait painting. But Thomas Lawrence was genuinely interested in portrait painting. Thomas Gainsborough completed the painting ‘The Blue Boy’ in the year 1770, but the portrait ‘Pinkie’ by Thomas Lawrence was completed in the year 1794. Thomas Gainsborough married Margarett Burr and had children. On the other side, Thomas Lawrence was forced to be a lifelong bachelor. Besides, he was forced to lead an unhappy personal life. Thomas Gainsborough’s portrait painting helped him to keep himself away from economic problems. On the other side, Thomas Lawrence was forced to face economic problems in his life. II. Assessment as a viewer A. Similarities When one tries to assess the artworks ‘The Blue Boy’ and ‘Pinkie’, one can easily identify a number of similarities. Some of the most important similarities are pointed out below. First of all, both the works are portraits of youngsters booming with energy. The medium made use by the painters is similar, i.e. oil and canvas. Both the paintings are presently owned by The Huntington (museum/ art gallery) in California. Both the paintings are from England and are considered as best examples for portrait painting in Europe. Besides, both the artworks are considered as showpieces at The Huntington. As these portraits are exhibited in the same gallery, most of the viewers consider that these works are completed by the same painter. The position of the youngsters (models) in the portraits is helpful for the viewers to have clearer look on their faces. Both the works give importance to color combination and lighting. In ‘The Blue Boy’, blue, pink and brown are dominant colors. On the other side, in ‘Pinkie’, blue, white and pink are dominant colors. Meryle Secrest opines that “Pinkie, a vision in white and pink, is silhouetted against a bright blue sky studded with clouds” (203). Besides, both the painters gave ample importance to the fashion in 18th Century England. B. Differences When one tries to assess the artworks ‘The Blue Boy’ and ‘Pinkie’, one can easily identify a number of differences. The following are some of the important differences. The model in the portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ is a male. On the other side, the model in the portrait ‘Pinkie’ is a female. Sarah Goodin Barrett Moulton is the model in the portrait ‘Pinkie’. But one cannot prove that the model in the portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ is Jonathan Buttall because it is a controversial matter. The portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ represents the male fashion of 18th Century in England. On the other side, the portrait ‘Pinkie’ represents the female fashion of 18th Century in England. Harold Bloom points out ‘Pinkie’ as “which depicts “Miss Barrett” in a bonnet and ethereally flowing gown” (212). As pointed out earlier, Thomas Gainsborough was a landscape painter. So, he gave ample importance to the background. For instance, the background of the portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ is a hilly area with full of vegetation. On the other side, Thomas Lawrence was a genuine portrait painter and he gave less importance to the background. For instance, the background of the portrait ‘Pinkie’ consists of sky and horizon. Thomas Gainsborough gave importance to dark colors like blue and brown. William V. Dunning opines that “Gainsborough was as interested in color as in value” (110). On the other side, Thomas Lawrence gave importance to the colors like blue, white and pink. III. Other related facts in history or society A. Similarities One can easily identify that both the portraits are interconnected with history and social setting of 18th century England. Some of the most important similarities between the portraits, related to history and social settings are pointed out here. First of all, both the models in the portraits are wealthy youngsters. This proves that portrait painting was considered as a fashion in 18th Century England. Cornelius P. Darcy states that “Collecting English art became fashionable as the Eighteenth century ended” (15). In addition, both the paintings represent the fashion prevailed in 18th Century England. Both the portraits can be considered as historically important because the viewers can have deeper understanding of the lifestyle in 18th Century England. Both the portraits are created in England, but now exhibited in America. This proves the economic and historical value of portrait painting. B. Differences Some of the most important differences between the portraits, related to history and social settings are pointed out here. First of all, most of the viewers misinterpret that both the portraits represent the fashion of the same period in England. As pointed out earlier, the portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ was completed in 1770 and ‘Pinkie’ in 1794. This difference in time is helpful to know more about the change in fashion. For instance, the model in the portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ carries his hat in his right hand. But the model in the portrait ‘Pinkie’ is wearing her bonnet. This is the most important difference related to the history of fashion. Besides, the model in the portrait ‘The Blue Boy’ is a male and the model in the portrait ‘Pinkie’ is a female. This fact provides ample evidence to the social change in the end of 18th Century England. Summing, analytical comparison and contrast between two similar items is a complicated task, especially between two portrait paintings. Still, the analysis of similarities and differences between the portrait paintings, ‘The Blue Boy’ (portrait), by Thomas Gainsborough, and ‘Pinkie’ (portrait), by Thomas Lawrence put forth some interesting but important facts. The analysis on the artists, based on similarities and differences unveil some personal facts. The assessment as a viewer based on similarities and differences unveils the difference between portrait painting and landscape painting. Besides, both the artworks are interconnected with the history of portrait painting, fashion and social settings in 18th Century England. In short, the analysis unearths the importance of portrait painting in the scenario of Art industry. References Bloom, Harold. Derek Walcott. Broomall, PA: Infobase Publishing, 2003. Print. Darcy, Cornelius P. The encouragement of the fine arts in Lancashire, 1760-1860. Oxford Road, Manchester: Manchester University Press ND, 1976. Print. Dunning, William V. Changing images of pictorial space: a history of spatial illusion in painting. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 1991. Print. Secrest, Meryle. Duveen: a life in art. New York, USA: University of Chicago Press, 2004. Print. Thorpe, James Ernest. Henry Edwards Huntington: a biography. California, USA: University of California Press, 1994. Print. Appendices Appendix -1 The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough Available at: - http://www.oilpaintingsgallery.com/gallery/oil-painting/item-CM-1080-KA--Gainsborough__Thomas__England_1727_to_1788-Figure_Classic-The_Blue_Boy.asp Appendix -2 Pinkie by Thomas Lawrence Available at: - http://www.oceansbridge.com/oil-paintings/product/531/pinkie Read More