Ashes by Edvard Munch and Abstractoin by Juan Gris - Essay Example

Modern Art-Comparison Between Two Paintings Introduction Munch and Juan Gris art works have for quite a long time remained impressive to the art lovers. Their works have continued to shape and influence several artworks that are surfacing and those that have already surfaced. In fact, Munch’s works were very influential to the extent that an art museum called Munch museum has been established. Juan too reshaped the artwork especially in reference to cubist movement. The majority of Juan’s drawings appeared to illuminate technical aspects while Munch’s revolved around daily life activities in the society. Therefore, this paper seeks to provide insights into Ashes-1925 by Edvard Munch and Abstractoin-1915 by Juan Gris (the Phillips collection) by making comparison and contrast between the two images. Description of Ashes-1925 by Edvard Munch or the Munch Museum The mural print is a depiction of a man and a woman in a forest that is dusky. The atmosphere in the picture is relatively gloomy filled with both hopelessness and despair. The trees and the existence of a man and a woman can be interpreted to be a form of a romantic adventure. However, the adventure may have been crippled by a misfortune. The woman has her hands on her red, long hair while standing at the center of the picture. The frowned face is filled with desolation and despair while the direction of her eyes is towards the audience (viewer). Apparently, she is regretting something. On the other hand, the man has his hand on his head while sitting on the left corner of the picture. The tone of his face is apparently not only sickly but also green. In fact, the man appears to be so hopeless that his pace can’t face the viewer. The dress that the woman has on her is white and it is half unbuttoned. Inside the white dress, one can glimpse at the red undergarment1. The colors depicted in Munch’s work can be interpreted in several ways. According to my interpretation, white is used to represent innocence of the woman in question while the red one can be a symbol of either love or passion or even romance. As for black, which is normally associated with negativity, symbolizes either death or sorrow. The green painting on the man’s face expresses a disturbed state of the mind and a sad mood. Interestingly, a clear look at the picture using high definition quality glasses indicates that there is lack of communication or interaction between the man and the woman. None of them is looking at the other 2. This phenomenon, therefore nullifies the existence of love between the two or if any then apparently it has stall or something tragic has surfaced. In addition, their posture and body language attempts to provide an image of these people having a feeling of guilt that has apparently burdened and drained life out of them. In addition, the environment and atmosphere depicted in the picture is also relatively dark and unpleasant for adventure. In other words, the environment commensurate with the situation Munch is attempting to illuminate to the viewers of the mural print3. Description of Abstractoin-1915 by Juan Gris/ the Phillips collection The picture is that of oil inclusive of oil with sand and on a cardboard. The dominant color in this particular picture is light blue. In most cases, artists use this color to represent depth inclusive of stability. In my opinion, besides the information that Juan Gris is attempting to disseminate or rather communicate, the blue color often symbolizes wisdom, trust, intelligence, confidence, and faith. Therefore, my interpretation is that regardless of the coded information in the picture, the artist, Juan Gris is not only confident but also intelligent in her drawing. The blue color is however dominant of the top and right side of the motif. The other colors present in the picture are brown, black, and white. Moreover, there is a calligraphic form of writing in the cardboard. The white substances that appear bluish in color apparently indicate oil with sand. The artwork is a depiction of a kind of a technical aspect of work and is a form of cubism4. Comparison and contrast between the two images There is little similarity between the two images described above ranging from the colors used to the kind of images represented, as well as the context of information the artists are attempting to reveal. For an instant, Munch’s work is related to a gloomy atmosphere characterized with disappointment in form of love, interaction and communication while in Juan’s work the use of oil, oil with sand on a cardboard represent some technical aspects of work the artist might have been involved with. The use of colors also differ in that those in the Munch’s mural commensurate with the atmosphere created while those in Juan’s also commensurate with the technicality aspects of work entailed. In addition, the brush work on the Much’s entire picture is relatively fluffy and wavy while in Juan’s, they are slightly bold. As for the physical dimension of the two images or drawing, Munch’s picture appears to be larger than that of Juan Gris. The other distinction between the two images is that Ashes 1925 is in form of expressionist form of artwork while Abstraction 1915 is in form of cubism form of painting or artwork. The majority of Juan’s murals are in the form of cubism. Cubism has emerged as one of the most influential styles of visual arts. The principle behind cubism is that arts should either emulate/copy nature or adopt perspectives, foreshortening, and modeling that are of traditional techniques. In 1910, in reference to cubism, the pictures subject was always discernable5. On the other hand, the objects and figures were analyzed and dissected by dividing them into multiple facets. These facets were then reassembled for the purpose of evoking similar objects or figures. Juan Gris became involved in the movement of cubists after meeting Pablo Picasso though she took an approach that was deemed mathematical to paintings that were cubists. As a result, images she drew were precisely of discrete form with the resemblance of drawings that were technical6. As for Munch, the majority of his works were in form of expressionist movement as highlighted earlier. Munch is regarded as a pioneer of the movement of expressionist artist in the modern painting. Moreover, his last works continue to gather and attract greater attention besides inspiring the current artists as well. The predicaments of this artist defined his life into artwork and enabled him to transverse across Europe while expressing his ideals in paintings7. Conclusion Munch and Juan are some of the renowned artists that have significantly shaped the field of art. In particular, one of Munch’s artwork (Ashes-1925) that has been dissected in this essay is that which consist of a couple in a forest characterized by a gloomy atmosphere. In addition, the couple appears to be in guilt or regretting concerning something that is burdening their thoughts. The brushes employed in the painting, as well as the colors clearly communicate the atmosphere and the theme that Munch is attempting to portray. Moreover, the posture of the persons and their attires speak volume concerning the theme being illuminated. This shows the ability of the artist to express himself thus asserting the perception that he is an expressionist artist. On the other hand, Juan’s (Abstraction-1915) is a cubist’s kind of painting that attempts to indicate technical aspects of artwork. Work Cited: Munch, E et al. Edvard Munch: 1863-1944 : Liljevalchs & Kulturhuset 25 Mars-15 Maj 1977. Stockholm: Liljevalchs konsthall, 1977. Print. Munch, E. Edvard Munch. London, Eng: Sirrocco, 2005. Internet resource. Galligan, G et al. The Cube in the Kaleidoscope: the American Reception of French Cubism, 1918-1938. , 2007. Print. Schmidt, K. Peinture Américaine 1920-1940 =: Amerikaanse Schilderkunst 1920-1940 : Société Des Expositions, Palais Des Beaux-Arts, Bruxelles ... 10.11.-30.12.1979. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1979. Print. Read More