Introduction
Art has always been the source of inspiration and the means of empowerment, and it has served as the reason for lively discussions and interpretations. Throughout history, artists have worked in different genres, used various mediums, and were prompted by specific ideas and ideals when creating their pieces. Emil Carlsen’s Still Life with Yellow Roses is a painting from the late 1880s, whereas Dawoud Bey’s Marcia & Waynette is a photograph art created in the late 1990s (Bey; Carlsen). While the two creations’ medium, date, and style are peculiar, some common features in contrast and composition can still be traced.
Authors and Media
Both pieces under analysis were created by American artists, the disparity in whose age was precisely a century. The medium used by Carlsen to create his 68.9×102.9-centimeter painting is oil on canvas. Meanwhile, Bey made his piece by resorting to the medium of dye diffusion transfer prints, which resulted in a 75×56-centimeter image. Carlsen belonged to the impressionists, whereas Bey represents contemporary art. Nothing extraordinary has affected Carlsen’s work, which cannot be said about Bey. The latter focuses his art pieces on African-American culture and identity, representing this ethnicity. This fact, along with depicting people as opposed to still life, makes Bey’s work more pronounced and effective than Carlsen’s.
Visual Elements
The visual elements in both pieces are instead engaging to observe. In Carlsen’s painting, the brilliant interplay of light and darkness is pronounced. The painter reflected transparent glasses and flowers in a profoundly naturalistic way. One can break these fragile objects even by merely looking at them. Bey’s work is undoubtedly naturalistic as well since, at its core, there is a photograph. However, since the image is divided into six pieces by a thick grid, it acquires some abstract and stylized features. Both art pieces are impressive and memorable in their visual representation, even in entirely divergent ways.
Composition And Balance
Moving to composition and balance, one cannot but notice some likeness and distinction. Bey’s work looks relatively symmetrical due to the grid, the latter dividing both girls’ faces into two pieces. Meanwhile, Carlsen’s painting has more freedom in balance since it portrays quite dissimilar shapes of glasses. However, the painting still has some symmetry since Carlsen placed the two sets of glasses on equal lengths from the painting’s edges.
Contrast
Finally, although the materials and mediums preferred by the two artists are not identical, they both presented a deep and meaningful contrast in their works. Bey’s models wear white clothes, which mismatches their complexion and the background. Meanwhile, Carlsen painted light roses against the pitch-black wall. While distinct in their methods, both artists portrayed a conspicuous play of light, composition, and balance.
Conclusion
Irrespective of the time and medium of art creation, there is always something to dwell upon when carefully considering each element. An analysis of Emil Carlsen’s Still Life with Yellow Roses, created in the late 1880s, which contrasts with Dawoud Bey’s Marcia & Waynette, suggests that even works within quite disparate genres and topics can have something in common. Above all, it is crucial to note that art is a perfect means of contemplating and learning, which can result in an engaging discussion.
Works Cited
Bey, Dawoud. Marcia & Waynette. 1996. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Web.
Carlsen, Emil. Still Life with Yellow Roses. 1885. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Web.