Formal Analysis : Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
Aspiration, an oil painting with dimensions of 60in by 60in, hangs in the de Young Museum of San Francisco. Originally, the modernist, Aaron Douglas, created the artwork as a four-part mural for the Texas Centennial of 1936.1 This was painted of the Harlem Renaissance, which was a major cultural art movement that aimed to showcase the talents of African Americans in order to replace the derogatory images that circulated in pop culture at the beginning of the twentieth century. Not only throughout visual art but as well as to with other mediums, such as literature, music and theatre. In the artwork, Aspiration, Aaron Douglas utilizes the visual elements of color, progressive narrative, and careful …show more content…
These colors are not typically bright and happy colors for example red and bright blue that are nowhere to be found in this painting. The colors are analogous and are showcased with ripples, Douglas often did this to reference the Egyptian nile river, especially when shown in blue. On the top left is the darkest part of the painting. There are clouds and lightning that could be a reference to the fear and hardships the slaves must have faced in their journey. In contrast on the top right of the painting is the brightest part of the painting. The lightness goes from the middle of the painting to the top. Further highlighting the promise of a new future of industry and democracy. The brightness of the star seems to radiate not only throughout the painting but leading the viewer’s eye up and away from the bottom to the top of the composition. The contrast of the complementary colors of purple and yellow with the circles around the star give off the sense of energy and strength that African Americans must always have. Representing once again the journey from struggle and slavery to freedom and prosperity. Finally, at the top is where all figures are gazing at and wishing to be. The vision of the city on the hill, which all African Americans had on their journey from the South. Further highlighting the promise of a new future of industry and democracy. It is Interesting that Douglas put these two opposite themes and color schemes so close to one another in composition. These visual representations help to reinforce the opposing emotions of fear and struggle with freedom and utter
Aspiration, an oil painting with dimensions of 60in by 60in, hangs in the de Young Museum of San Francisco. Originally, the modernist, Aaron Douglas, created the artwork as a four-part mural for the Texas Centennial of 1936.1 This was painted of the Harlem Renaissance, which was a major cultural art movement that aimed to showcase the talents of African Americans in order to replace the derogatory images that circulated in pop culture at the beginning of the twentieth century. Not only throughout visual art but as well as to with other mediums, such as literature, music and theatre. In the artwork, Aspiration, Aaron Douglas utilizes the visual elements of color, progressive narrative, and careful …show more content…
These colors are not typically bright and happy colors for example red and bright blue that are nowhere to be found in this painting. The colors are analogous and are showcased with ripples, Douglas often did this to reference the Egyptian nile river, especially when shown in blue. On the top left is the darkest part of the painting. There are clouds and lightning that could be a reference to the fear and hardships the slaves must have faced in their journey. In contrast on the top right of the painting is the brightest part of the painting. The lightness goes from the middle of the painting to the top. Further highlighting the promise of a new future of industry and democracy. The brightness of the star seems to radiate not only throughout the painting but leading the viewer’s eye up and away from the bottom to the top of the composition. The contrast of the complementary colors of purple and yellow with the circles around the star give off the sense of energy and strength that African Americans must always have. Representing once again the journey from struggle and slavery to freedom and prosperity. Finally, at the top is where all figures are gazing at and wishing to be. The vision of the city on the hill, which all African Americans had on their journey from the South. Further highlighting the promise of a new future of industry and democracy. It is Interesting that Douglas put these two opposite themes and color schemes so close to one another in composition. These visual representations help to reinforce the opposing emotions of fear and struggle with freedom and utter