Beauty Captured in a Painting - Essay Example

Peter Holbrook’s “Under Isis” is a painting wherein oil was used on canvas. It measures 30x48 and reflects a photographic picture reflecting the beauty of mountains. It is said that this painting is one of Holbrook’s favorite subjects. Canyons lands, sierras, and coastlines are among his favorite subjects which often take his viewer’s breath away (Carsten’s). In this particular painting, Holbrook shows his expertise in bringing to life his fantasies of natural resources especially his favorite subject, making his work look more like a photograph from afar rather than a hand-painted masterpiece.

According to the artist, he is an admirer of realists saying that there is a “basic visual magic in the ability of pigments to credibly translate our 3-dimensional world to the flat 2- the dimensional world of paper and canvas” (scottsdalefinearts.com). Indeed, his work presents this feature, having those realistic traits one sees when looking at real subjects. As a viewer, when I look at the artwork, I seem to be looking at a photograph especially when I stand from a distance. The three-dimensional concept of real images is perfectly captured in the painting and one can only notice that it is a painting when he gets near the artwork. There is a sense of distance when one looks at the painting. This is achieved by presenting images as they would be naturally seen. For instance, the nearer images are made bigger than the other parts of the subject while the ones farther from the viewer are made smaller.

Moreover, the parts which are presented to be near the viewer are more detailed while the ones farther are not. The parts of the subject which are supposed to be near the beholder show the color of whatever little number of grasses there are in the canyon. It also shows the fine details of what could be observed in real canyons, the different shapes only nature could create with the lands. The marks left by water and other natural circumstances are clearly represented in the painting and I think these are what make the painting very real. On the other hand, the figures which are presented to be farther away from the observer look smaller. Furthermore, as in a natural setting, the scope of the view is also wider. The details are also lesser rather just as one would observe in real-life situations.

Another element used in the painting that perhaps helps enhance to make the work's magnificent is the painter’s use of colors. They are very natural and this perhaps shows what a keen observer the artist is. The use of the basic color blue brings a soothing effect on the eyes while the secondary color, green emphasizes this reaction. The natural colors of the canyons make the painting very real as well. Moreover, the artist made use of colors to suggest parts of the subject to be lighted while some are not. Lighter shades or hues were used to portray brighter sides while dull or dark colors either show that the parts are not lit or some shadows fall on them. As a general observation, the painting has been meticulously made, with the painting considering not only how the artwork would look but also considering what could be seen in real-life situations.