Analysis: Going Home By Jacob Lawrence

1. Figure 4.3, Going Home by Jacob Lawrence. This piece was created in 1946, and was painted with gouache, which is an opaque type of watercolor. I personally did not like this piece, I’m not a fan of the medium used, but nevertheless I found it interesting. In my opinion, the low value and intensity of the yellows and greens are unappealing, I think they make this train or bus seem outdated and old, or just dirty. But I do enjoy the contrasting red and green, and the warm feeling that the combination of red and yellow invoke. I also appreciate the abstractedness of the people because they retain so much emotion, which makes the scene somewhat relatable as in I can see myself in the same positions, exhausted, and ready to go home after a long …show more content…
Figure 4.12, Bullfight: The Agility and Daring of Juanito Apinani plate 20 by Francisco Goya. This 1815 print is my favorite of the chapter, it was crafted by etching a metal plate with aquatint, or acid that is used to create a watercolor effect. The energy of this piece simply radiates as if the figures depicted are ready to move at any second. As the text book states, this is due to the balance of the crowd, the contrast of the black and beige color, and open and closed form masses. What interest me most about this piece was how such a scene like bullfighting, which I personally detest and consider inhumane, can be given so much life and energy. This piece is an incredible example of directional forces and how they can evoke the feeling of …show more content…
Figure 4.16, Cranes by Ogata Korin. This folding screen is one of two, and was created around the year 1700, using ink and colors over gold and silver leaf on paper. This functional work of art really stood out to me because of its simplicity. The repetition and rhythm of this piece is interesting because of the subtle variety of the cranes. No two are exactly alike if you look closely and that adds to the works grandeur. Like figure 4.12, there is a lot of energy in this piece that comes from the use of different directional forces. From the top, left, and bottom edge, directional forces draw the eyes to the empty rectangle. The shading on the edges and folds of the work of art draw the eyes to the cranes. From the bottom edge, the shapes of the crane’s feet create directional lines that go up the crane’s body to their eyes, where the bright color red and almond shape draws the viewer’s eyes to their beaks, who all flow toward the empty rectangle. The stream in the background also flows left and the mass that it evokes is like an arrow that guides the viewer to look from the right edge to the left. This painting evokes a sense of tranquility and peace that is found within nature, and is supported by the warm light gold color that reflects