The Oxbow and View of Toledo paintings - Essay Example

Lecturer: Comparison and contrast of two (2) paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Comparison and contrast “The Oxbow” is a landscape painting that was done by Thomas Cole back in the 18th century – specifically in1801–1848. It was then executed at the National Academy of Design in 1836 and it was going under the name of “View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm”. The stylistic period of this artistic landscape painting can be traced to realism. This is due to the reason that realism styles of art always seek to capture the real world and/ or aspects and attributes of the real world. In this case, the landscape painting captured the essence of nature in its most beautiful form. In addition to that, it gave an individual the impression that they were actually viewing the landscape and the wilderness from the summit. The medium that was used in this painting was Oil on canvas. In addition to that, the techniques that were used included the use of the golden sunlight on the right part of the painting – this was a technique that was majorly used by Claude Lorrain who was a baroque painter in France. Moreover, the other technique was the use of twisted trees on the left portion of the painting – this was similar to the technique that Salvator Rosa a baroque painter from Italy used. The size of the landscape painting was 51 1/2 inches high by 76 inches wide. The painting was presented through the use of large canvas as Cole was not in a position to make its frame in time (Oswaldo Rodriguez, 1984). Lastly, it can be concluded that the title of the painting “View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm” is indeed useful while interpreting the theme of the projected art. On the other hand, the “View of Toledo” is a landscape painting that was done by El Greco back in the late 15th to early 16th century – specifically around 1540/41 to 1614. When compared to the one by Cole “The Oxbow”, both can be concluded to be landscape paintings. The painting was then executed in 1570 together with other paintings that he had done. When compared to “The Oxbow” landscape painting by Cole, it can be revealed that they had different dates of execution as “The Oxbow” was executed in 1830 a few centuries later on. The artistic style that was used by El Greco in his painting was majorly baroque which represents the use of motion, tension, enthusiasm and clarity. When compared to “The Oxbow” there was a difference since it was a renaissance realism painting while the one by El Greco was a baroque painting. When it comes to the medium of usage, both paintings used oil on canvas. The sizes of both paintings differed since “The Oxbow” was slightly bigger than the “View of Toledo” which was 47 3/4 by 42 3/4 inches. The artistic techniques in both paintings were the same – that is baroque which was common in France and Spain. The presentation work of both paintings was done on canvas material and lastly the title of the painting - “View of Toledo” adequately helps an audience interpret what they are viewing. Visual Analysis The subject matter that has been projected by both paintings is landscaping. In addition to that, when an individual views both paintings, they can be in a position to feel as if they are part of the image and/ or illustration that the painter projected. As such, both paintings bring a feel of realism. It should also be noted that the subject matter in both painting is more of the same ideology. This means that both painting have a naturalistic feel that has been visually expressed by the painter. For example, the “View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm” was actually a real representation of the city of Northampton, Massachusetts from Mount Holyoke after a thunderstorm had occurred. Based on the amount of subject matter, it can be determined that both paintings had the same amount of subject matter. That is, they were detailed, defined and engraved with objects such as clouds, rivers, trees and some form of human existence such as cultivated lands in the case of “The Oxbow” by Cole and houses in the case of “View of Toledo” by El Greco. However, the painting by El Greco was more engraved with dark colours as compared to the one by Cole. Cole Thomas selected his subject matter as he was trying to reveal that human cultivation would in the end affect the wilderness. That is why a larger portion of the painting was projecting cultivated lands while the smaller portion was projecting the wilderness. On the other hand El Greco was projecting that the existence of a mystic spirit in Toledo, Spain. The composition (the arrangement of visual designs) of both paintings can be determined as being of medium complexity. With regard to colour, Cole’s painting used more of bright colours such as a golden sunlight colour with white and green for the trees. On the other hand, El Greco’s painting utilized dark colours such as black, dark blue, dark brown and slight shades of white to project the mystic theme. In addition, the colour intensity in Cole’s painting is mild while the one in El Greco’s painting is extremely deep and dull. The aspect of space has not been prioritized in both paintings – as such the objects are not distant and neither have they been given a deep illusion into the painting. With regard to shapes, it should be noted that in both paintings, the shapes that have been used do overlap one another. For example, in Cole’s painting the trees in the wilderness overlap each other while in El Greco’s painting, the landscape of the hills and the houses overlap one another. Lines and texture have also been used in separating the landscapes as well as the surface qualities respectively. In Cole’s painting lines have been used to separate the cultivated land from the wilderness. In addition, the texture is also mild so that is does not create illusions. In El Greco’s painting, lines have also been used to define the small path ways in the forest as well as the landscape. Moreover, the texture (surface) is also mild and it does not create illusions. The balance attribute in both paintings is symmetrical – the objects that have been used are evenly placed in the paintings. With balance comes scale and proportion which can be described to be even. As such, the space that has been utilized by the objects in both paintings can be termed as being even and proportionate. Works cited Cole, T. View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm - The Oxbow”. 1801–1848. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Web. 26 April 2014. Greco, E. View of Toledo. 1541–1614. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Web. 26 April 2014. Oswaldo Rodriguez, R. The Oxbow by Thomas Cole: Iconography of an American Landscape Painting. The Metropolitan Museum of Art . 17 (1984): 63 – 73 . Web. 26 April 2014. Read More