Old Street Painting Analysis

City on Fire In art, there are many unique styles that attract many unique people. This painting, Old Street, by Leonid Afremov -Palette knife on canvas; captured my attention very quickly. Its bright reds and warm orange colors brought intensity to my eyes, yet at the same time the cold blues of the sky and floor brought the feeling of a cold time in a dim- lit city. This painting is meant to give each viewer their own special feelings and memories of a rainy night on the way home, good or bad. Personally I love this style because it leaves room for interpretation. The red and orange strokes coming from the rooftops can simply mean nothing but the artist style. However, to me, I see houses on fire in a calm night. The floor of this painting …show more content…
Overall here is where you will see the clearest details of the painting with smaller more precise strokes of the artist’s brush. You will also begin so see the reflection in the floor of the townhouses and street lamps. The street lamps are also the reason why the houses surface scream red and orange brightest where the lamps are the closest just as u would see in real life. Again showing precise realism while still being abstract with his style of strokes. I cannot imagine how difficult this balance of detail and style must have been to control. At the bottom of the townhouses near the sidewalk are more cold areas not touched by light shown with different blues tints. Again showing that it is in fact dark outside. The street itself is not a flat asphalt color, it is the most reflective part of the piece. The only reason most people can think of a reflective street at night is due to rain settling on the ground reflecting the life above it. It is only after passing through the painting a few times that you find a small person walking with a dark red umbrella on the sidewalk. Then confirming the idea of a rainy night. However, focusing on the person you can tell she is walking very calm, not bothered by the rain. Giving the lower half of the painting a still peace. There are no cars passing, or found nearby and no other activity but a peaceful person walking by. The person’s umbrella is also reflecting the light of the tall lamp posts that are spread evenly down the street. Lastly, focusing on the street towards the very bottom of the painting you again see the gorgeous bright reds and oranges light up the street. However, it makes me wonder is that again not just a reflection of the flames in the face of something so