Art Analysis: Gentle Breeze And Surf

Art can be found almost everywhere. It comes in a variety of different types, shapes, and sizes. People create art from their thoughts and feelings, the things they see and experience, and even things they just imagine. Though some artists construct their artworks to serve a purpose or portray an idea, many just do so because they enjoy it. Regardless of how or why it is made, art affects people worldwide. Two unforgettable artworks that have affected me are Gentle Breeze and Surf. Located at Fayette Art Museum in Fayette, Alabama, are two peaceful works of art called Gentle Breeze and Surf. Gentle Breeze, created by Maurice Meyer, is a tranquil portrait of the ocean made from oil on canvas. Surf, created by Robert Wood, is a seascape also made from oil on canvas. These are large paintings in a frame of about 36 by 48 inches. Though the era these works were created is unknown, they each offer a scene of timeless magnificence. Gentle Breeze by Maurice Meyer is a naturalistic depiction of a colorful sunset made of warm colors that stretches across the sandy shore covered by an array of ocean foams. The focal point of vigorous waves extending into the smooth, distant horizon captures the beauty, spirit, and rhythmic power of the …show more content…
It has two focal points, a large wave enhanced by implied thick horizontal lines to give it motion, and a bulky rock made stand out by its dark value and the way it contrasts with the white foam of the waves. The clear, cool colors of the sky and distant calmness of the ocean in the background gives balance and depth. The patterns the ocean waves create gives the artwork a rhythm. Organic shapes within the artwork make it appear three-dimensional. Surf seems to be a unified piece, showing a part of an environment and the way it works. This painting evokes a feeling of power and makes one think about something bigger than