The final test of a painting, theirs, mine, any other, is:
does the painter's emotions come across?
- Franz Kline
For many years, I have been fascinated by modern art. Although it is astonishing how earlier artists were able to depict humans and nature realistically and naturally, I always loved how modern artists expressed their opinion in the most abstract or unrealistic ways. Prior to my trip to the St. Louis Art Museum, I was planning on comparing Andy Warhol’s Most Wanted Men, no. 12. Frank B and Chuck Close’s Keith. However, those pieces have been removed a week before my visit due to reconstructions at the museum. Because of this, I decided on two other modern artists and their works that were unknown to me up to this point: Franz Kline’s Bethlehem from 1959-60 and Mark Rothko’s Red, Orange, Orange on Red from 1962. Although both paintings are abstract and may seem a lot alike in the first place, they are different when looking at them closer and comparing the composition and kind of work that was put into them. I will focus on the contrasting mood that is conveyed by Bethlehem and Red, Orange, Orange on Red and how this is achieved.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Franz Kline's Bethlehem
- Mark Rothko's Red, Orange, Orange on Red
- Comparing Bethlehem and Red, Orange, Orange on Red
- The Mood of the Paintings
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to compare two abstract works of art by Franz Kline and Mark Rothko, focusing on the contrasting moods they convey. The author analyzes the composition, colors, and brushwork of each painting to explore how these elements contribute to the overall mood.
- Comparison of Abstract Art
- Contrasting Moods in Art
- Impact of Color and Composition
- Influence of Brushwork
- Interpretation of Abstract Art
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section introduces the essay's topic and the author's interest in modern art, specifically the abstract works of Kline and Rothko.
- Franz Kline's Bethlehem: This chapter provides a brief biographical sketch of Franz Kline and describes his painting, focusing on its composition, colors, and brushwork. It highlights the use of black and white strokes on a creamy white ground and the prominent horizontal and vertical strokes.
- Mark Rothko's Red, Orange, Orange on Red: This chapter presents a similar analysis of Mark Rothko's work, focusing on the use of different levels of red and orange, the rectangular fields of color, and the fuzzy edges. It also mentions Rothko's desire to create an intimate and contemplative viewing experience.
- Comparing Bethlehem and Red, Orange, Orange on Red: This chapter compares the two paintings in terms of their colors, composition, and brushwork. It notes the contrasting effects of the colors used and the different ways the brushwork is evident in each painting.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on abstract art, contrasting moods, color analysis, brushwork, composition, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Bethlehem, Red, Orange, Orange on Red.
- Quote paper
- Romina Müller (Author), 2011, Two Abstract Works of Art and Their Conveying of Contrasting Mood, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/175163
