preview

John Taylor Vs Wolf Essay

Decent Essays

Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek is the title given to two different renderings by two different artists. At first glance, it is immediately clear that the pictures are very different. The work of John Taylor is presented in a way that appears sophisticated and from a trained artist. On the other hand, Howling Wolf’s drawing is less sophisticated and the artist is apparently untrained in art. The title of the two art pieces identifies the purpose of the meeting as a treaty signing. Both artists represent Indians and white men who have gathered for a meeting. John Taylor and Howling Wolf offered their drawings ten years apart, Taylor first then Wolf. While looking at the two images of Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek, each artist …show more content…

The artist paints many onlookers around the central group. Another noticeable difference in the two pictures is that Wolf includes women in his picture which relates back to his cultural understanding of Indians. Taylor’s picture is definitely representational while Wolf’s is abstract. John Taylor’s work is more realistic when compared to the art of Howling Wolf. Visualizing reality in the two pieces, is simple. Taylor has a much more realistic piece while Wolf’s abstract art, the viewer has a more difficult time visualizing the actual event. Wolf’s work, at first glance, appears to be childlike and he uses the bright primary colors while Taylor uses the black and white. The composition of the art work describes the arrangement of the visual elements of people, landscapes, space in the pictures and the organization of the elements. In Taylor’s work one finds the use balance and contrast to emphasize his black and white picture. However, Wolf uses color and form to generate a purposefully abstract picture. Thus, composition is the placement of the visual elements in each work of art. Although the two drawings have the same subject matter, the treaty signing at Medicine Creek Lodge, they both have different appearances, meanings, and viewpoints. The point of view of two different cultures focuses contrast on the art. The only thing which can be said about the two renditions of

Get Access