Analysis of The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West
In 1770, artist Benjamin Wolfe completed what would become his most controversial and talked about piece of artwork, an oil on canvas painting titled The Death of General Wolfe, the purpose of which was to teach a moral lesson. The Death of General Wolfe portrays the Battle of Quebec, but more specifically it details the moment when Major General James Wolfe was on his deathbed shortly after the British had driven the French away in victory. Although this piece is considered to be historical since it details a true event, the details in it prove to be fabricated for the sake of art. Benjamin West was truly a remarkable artist who required no formal art education to learn how to
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The fact that the clouds are passing by and opening can represent two things. The first is that it can be a symbol of General Wolfe, and as the clouds pass over head, his soul will similarly pass over and die. Second is that the passing clouds can be viewed as a sign of hope that the battle is now over and people can live peacefully. One other piece of symbolism is the flag behind General Wolfe, which serves as a directional force. Since it is pointed at both General Wolfe and the sky, it signifies the fact that Wolfe’s soul will go up onto Heaven. The colors in this piece are instrumental in moving the eye across the piece and drawing attention to specific parts of the piece. For instance, for the most part, the colors that are used are dark. However, to emphasize General Wolfe, the focal point in the middle, his outfit is painted in a brighter red and yellow and the ground beneath him is light as well. Also, in order to allow the eye to glide across the painting almost all of the soldier’s uniforms are red, creating rhythm. One solider, who is apparently rushing into see Wolfe, is painted in green, which is the complimentary color to red. The use of complimentary colors brings the eyes attention to the panicked solider, emphasizing the overall sense of urgency in the piece. The piece is also well balanced and uses appropriate scales and proportions. Overall I think West was successful in his piece. I admire the
As we all know, color is the voice for the artist 's sentiment. It makes up the appearance of a picture. Color is the decisive factor in depths of the two-dimensional plane of the artwork, making the viewer feel physically and mentally attracted, or the context of things - the phenomenon the author wants to present. Colors have been around for a long time, but there is not a common definition for colors. And perhaps humans are one of the luckiest creatures that can identify colors. Often, the recipient 's eye knows a myriad of colors and colors that always change based on the relationship between light and perspective. In art, color creates a sense of
Hirsch uses bright and subdued colors to represent the rank and status of the paintings occupants. The color of the chairs in contrast to the blue-black background gives the illusion of space. He utilizes highlights and shadows throughout which gives the viewer the impression of light cast onto the scene from outside. The light bounces off the reflective surface of the king’s head as well as the silverware and gold goblets. The shades of green and yellow give the fruit on the table a real feel to it. The smoke raising becomes transparent as it swirls upward and finally vanishes. The use of color shows the importance of every element from the
Further down the gradient, the viewer is introduced to a chaotic mass of green, red, dark yellow, brown, white and black that create the image of a battlefield. The idea of fear, chaos, chemical gas, trenches, tainted snow and bloodied bodies are conveyed through the use of each colour.
The final and most important person that made history in the French and Indian war was none other than James Wolfe. James was the colonel of the British army during the war (3). During Georges Journey to the French fort, James helped George along the way. George learned many strategies and skills from James. At one of those times James even saved Georges life (4). During the war he grew tired and had planned a risk strategy to attack the western part of the city and win (4). In taking the plan in action they succeeded and won the Seven years’ war. Unfortunately he had died in the battle field when he was injured in his chest and wrist (4). He was a terrible loss for the British side but was a gain in American and British history.
The contrast between the light cream background and the maroon blouse have successfully drawn in viewers attention. The contrasting colours have made the overall artwork standout. The viewers eyes are snatched towards the vibrant red then it is directed to Kramer’s peaceful expression. Her expression is identified as the focal point of the painting. It encapsulates the meaning of stillness expressing the relaxation and tranquilness. Greensmith had chosen to use a variety of different colour tones to help sculpt and emphasis Kramer’s features. The use of darker shades towards her left side creates a shadow, indicating her angled sitting position.
In the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald the author's repeated use of colors indicate significant events and represent mood, specifically with Jay Gatsby's yellow car, Doctor T. J. Eckelburg's blue eyes, and the gray color of the Valley of Ashes. Together these three, along with other events or objects represented by color, are important in explaining the storyline to the reader **through creating moods and themes**.
The world has seen many changes, which have been depicted throughout art and architectural structures. Artist since ancient times have depicted many different subject matter often motivated through movements, beliefs, and religions. Around the 1700s still under control of the British Monarchy, America was becoming a place of growth. Towns and colonies grew tremendously, it was no surprise to see a growth in artisans, philosophers, and inventors as well. Benjamin West was an American, who soon became a well-known artist, in America and England.
Because of her variety of hues in the work, she uses muted colors to avoid a highly saturated painting. Her use of blue throughout brings the whole work together. The splash of red orange in the background helps create balance and unity in the work. Because red is complimentary to green, it makes the flowers stand out against the green bushes. This helps to balance the work without calling much attention to the background. The background in the work also seems to be slightly blurred which calls focus on the subject, thus creating less distractions for the viewer.
We can also see the use of black shades to create a hole at the bottom part of the rock. With his excellent use of colors, we can identify the good, healthy and green grass from the bad, unhealthy, brown grasses. Looking beyond the main focus of the painting, he uses colors to separate the sky from the land in the background creating a solid form of perspective on the painting. He also uses colors to create water forms as seen behind the young character. Now, for the sky, he uses shades of white to magnificently differentiate the thick clouds from the light ones. He also uses this to create a source to light to the whole area. All these put together creates a splendid, realistic and familiar atmosphere for the viewers to relate with.
Some of the colors seem out of place. The variation in color may be a result of the author emphasizing certain areas of the sculpture. Most notably, the artist selects to present the sculpture in three-dimensions, using this technique to accentuate and magnify the combatants and their physical attributes. Certain parts of these dimensions seem to stick right out at you, giving the viewer a good impression of the violence and hatred of war.
Red appears to dominate the painting and serves as an eye-catching color. The use of intensely saturated colors draws the attention to the front couple. Additionally, the red color plays with the mind of the onlooker without them thinking about it. It suggests deep passion, anger, and struggle. The artist intends to relay his feelings about the event to the viewer. His outlook consists of disgust towards the great depression that leaves many taken advantage of due to desperation.
The Death of General Wolfe demonstrates the use of a plethora of techniques to highlight an important moment in history. West uses linear perspective by blurring background activity, using primary hues such as blue, yellow and red in the direct areas of General Wolfe to form directional forces which creates a vantage point, emphasizing General Wolfe’s death in the midst of a major military battle between the British and the French. Held above him is a flag which overlaps with the darkened sky, portraying storm clouds in the upper right half of the painting. West uses a tinted blue for a heavier, warm color in the upper left sides of the painting, therefore, unifying its background. Evocative feelings create the facial expressions of the
The feel of the picture lends to emotions of unease and recognition of sexual innuendo. The colors of the painting are vibrant, but for the most part are dark. The heavy tones and shades of the colors are well balanced throughout the piece. It can be noted that the brightest shades of color are found on areas depicting the actual woman. In areas that are understood as landscape, the colors are more dreary and create a sense of instability. Even Hess observes that the
When one looks at the painting White light, an array of colors spring off the canvas and permeate one’s senses. The primary and intense color of red is softened by the primary colors of yellow and blue. While the tertiary color of green subtly takes its place among the hues to give some balance. The perceivable tones of black and white add value and seem to give some
This variation and symbolism of colors are used extensively throughout the movie, and allows for a more effective and accurate method in delivering the messages and themes intended. In a way, Anderson is not just telling a story, but he is also painting a picture for the viewers to enjoy on the screen. For instance, extensive use of soft pastels and muted undertones create a dreamlike look to the hotel and objects (the cake box, funicular, Mendl’s uniform & vehicle, etc), clearly distinguished from the other parts in the film. The poetic and impeccable pastel-toned look of the hotel, mostly pink and purple, resembles of a doll’s house: peaceful, and fairytale-like. Not only that, it is comparable in appearance with the graceful pink packages of Mendl’s Patisserie. On that note, the scene that stands out in terms of a strong color contrast is when Gustav is in prison and shares the cake with the other inmates. When he cuts the cake with the “throat slitter”, the soft rosy box of Mendl’s stand out from the gloomy color schemes of the prison. Not only that, the box is placed in the very middle, thereby emphasizing the objet using the “rule of thirds”; composition aspect of mise-en-scene. Also, the director strikes the audience with vivid colors, when in need of reinforcement of the theme or highlighting an essential scene. When Agatha and Dmitri board on the elevator when holding painting, there exists a powerful contrast: between Agatha wearing beige-toned outfit with hairs impeccably braided reminiscent of an angel, Dmitri with all black long coat and messy mustache signifying the dark and the evil (also, wearing the armband similar to that of Hitler), and the elevator guy wearing a vibrant purple uniform. The costumes, which are also a significant part of décor, therefore convey the audience in