Ekphrasis texts are writings that focus on analyzing art. Often these writings reveal something about the author, a time period, or a general philosophy. Similarly Charlotte Brontё’s Villette presents social commentary on the oil painting Cleopatra. The story’s narrator wanders through an art gallery she finds herself in a room with a massive painting of a portentously sized woman leisurely reclining on sofa. As the narrator crudely dissects the image, it becomes apparent that the author’s issues with the piece stems from the piece’s materialistic nature which is a vapid, unrefined, frivolous use of symbolism with the sole purpose of eluding to wealth and affluence.
Brontё’s distaste for the painting deals closely with the paintings egotism. The author first notes that the painting has a assumed, suffocating authority, saying “This picture...seemed to considered itself to be the queen of the collection,” (Brontё, Line #). This description of the painting comes before the reader is even introduced to the subject of the painting, alluding to the Brontё’s aversion to the size and placement of the painting. the painting’s size must be both …show more content…
She refers to her experience viewing the painting entitled Cleopatra as exhausting, but she finds the still lifes to be refreshing and modest (line #). The contrast in her response to the two types of paintings is clearly the product of Brontё’s preference for simplicity and poignancy. Still life paintings, although capable of strong symbolism, have to do so sparingly.
Brontё’s critique of cleopatra is an argument for prudence and refinement. She makes this claim by deconstructing a painting that appeals frivolous ideas about wealth. Although Brontё makes a compelling point, it’s important to consider the context in which the argument was
Brontё’s distaste for the painting deals closely with the paintings egotism. The author first notes that the painting has a assumed, suffocating authority, saying “This picture...seemed to considered itself to be the queen of the collection,” (Brontё, Line #). This description of the painting comes before the reader is even introduced to the subject of the painting, alluding to the Brontё’s aversion to the size and placement of the painting. the painting’s size must be both …show more content…
She refers to her experience viewing the painting entitled Cleopatra as exhausting, but she finds the still lifes to be refreshing and modest (line #). The contrast in her response to the two types of paintings is clearly the product of Brontё’s preference for simplicity and poignancy. Still life paintings, although capable of strong symbolism, have to do so sparingly.
Brontё’s critique of cleopatra is an argument for prudence and refinement. She makes this claim by deconstructing a painting that appeals frivolous ideas about wealth. Although Brontё makes a compelling point, it’s important to consider the context in which the argument was