The painting Slow Down Freight Train is a very unique piece both in its style and historical background. Rose Piper, the artist, was a semi-abstract expressionist who was best known for her artwork in the 40’s. Piper was one of only four African-American abstract painters to have a solo exhibit in New York. This showcase, which led to her fame, was a series entitled Blues and Negro Folk Songs and all included pieces were directly linked to blues music or musicians. Slow Down, Freight Train was one of the 14 pieces in the exhibit and it is my belief that this work of art captures the semi-abstract style and then uses its elements to provide the feeling of blues music in a visual way. The semi-abstract school of art is one that comes with a
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While one is visual, the other is audible. The linearity and line structure captures two different ideas. The first idea is built around the physical, written form of music. When looking at sheet music, there are 5 lines on the staff which are very linear and provide a necessary backing for the notes. These notes are all round with linear parts that run perpendicular to the lines of the staff. This is mimicked by the painting as the background is made up of flat lines generally intersecting at right angles with the “notes” represented by the man. He is the subject of the piece as the notes create the melody of the music. The other musical idea captured by the lines is the actual melody. In music, there is always a background and a melody. The background, especially in Jazz and Blues music, is very straightforward and rhythmic while the melody lays over the tops and creates shape and form through note changes, crescendos, decrescendos, and changes in instrument or theme. In the same way, the painting has a very steady base with a moving, flowing form over the …show more content…
In much abstract art, the colors tend to create lots of space and value. These terms refer to the depth created by light vs dark and positive vs negative. With drastic contrast in color, the artist can create focal points and distinguish the subject of the piece. In Slow down, Freight Train, Piper draws the eye to the subject mostly due to the color of the man’s shirt. The piece mostly uses green, yellow, and black except for this random interjection of red. This color interjection is a major aspect of abstract expression due to high
While one is visual, the other is audible. The linearity and line structure captures two different ideas. The first idea is built around the physical, written form of music. When looking at sheet music, there are 5 lines on the staff which are very linear and provide a necessary backing for the notes. These notes are all round with linear parts that run perpendicular to the lines of the staff. This is mimicked by the painting as the background is made up of flat lines generally intersecting at right angles with the “notes” represented by the man. He is the subject of the piece as the notes create the melody of the music. The other musical idea captured by the lines is the actual melody. In music, there is always a background and a melody. The background, especially in Jazz and Blues music, is very straightforward and rhythmic while the melody lays over the tops and creates shape and form through note changes, crescendos, decrescendos, and changes in instrument or theme. In the same way, the painting has a very steady base with a moving, flowing form over the …show more content…
In much abstract art, the colors tend to create lots of space and value. These terms refer to the depth created by light vs dark and positive vs negative. With drastic contrast in color, the artist can create focal points and distinguish the subject of the piece. In Slow down, Freight Train, Piper draws the eye to the subject mostly due to the color of the man’s shirt. The piece mostly uses green, yellow, and black except for this random interjection of red. This color interjection is a major aspect of abstract expression due to high