The work of Art, which is discussed in this essay, is a painting of Emile Jean Horace Vernet – “The Scene from the French Campaign of 1814”, created in the 1826. Now, this masterpiece is located in the Legion of HonorGallery 16. This picture was created with oil on canvas.(Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.)) This work is truly considered to be a piece of World Art: as it may be seen, all objects, depicted on it, are quite realistic. On this point it is appropriate to go to the next section in this discussion of the painting: more detailed description built on basic artistic aspects.
First of all, it is obviously, a three-dimensional work, as objects on the painting may be seen not only from the length and depth point of view, but also, from three sides of them. As an example it is appropriate to take a house in fire on the left side. The viewer may see also the roof of it, made of dry grass, which is also in fire. If to be more specific about the artic aspects of the paper, it is important to mention that all lines are implied, though, they are evident. The artist has reached this effect through the game of light and shade between the first plan and the background. Three main figures – a woman, a child and a man are on the first plan.
But the woman can be seen more clearly, because of the light from the fire, falling on her. In most cases, lines are straight, when it goes to the buildings, or other structures. (Fine
Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814. (n.d.))Carved lines are present on the bodies and clothes. Again, they may be seen, because of the shade-light game, used by the artist.
Talking about shapes, it is important to mention that they are in both categories: geometric shapes or regular shapes and organic or freeform shapes. (Matt Fussell. The Elements- "Shape". (n. d.)) According to this, objects on the painting may be simply differentiated. The most evident geometrical shape is the window. This effect was reached by the negative shape, as the window itself may not be seen, except for the inner fire in the house and a dark wall, which creates the shape of the window. Organic shapes are present in plants around main characters of the painting and on those people. These are freeform shapes, which are helping to create more realistic image on the picture. (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.))
The light is also a big part of this work of art. It creates a sense of depth, while looking at the painting. The source of light is, of course, the fire from the soldier’s invasion, seen on the left side of the painting. The light is strong on the woman’s face, although, it is not even, on the whole painting, as the woman was depicted in the movement as she was running with her child and a husband from soldiers. (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.))Shadows, created by this effect are giving the sense of movement on this work. According to this, it is obvious that the light is contrasting, as the artist was making an emphasis on some particular objects on the picture.
Another important aspect of the painting is of course, is the color. Emile Jean used mostly secondary color scheme, to show the tragedy of the situation. Also, this effect was reached by the
help of cool colors of the sky and warm colors of the fire. As we know, the values are forming the visual structure of the painting. (Dianne Mize. Two Reasons Why Values (Lights and Darks) Are so Important in Paintings. (Dec. 9th, 2008)) Here, on The Scene from the French Campaign of 1814, values are making objects more real and volumetric.
Talking about texture and pattern, first, it is important to clarify what do these terms mean. The Pattern –is the repetition of the shape or form. It can add richness and the sense of depth to the particular image. So, it can give a dynamic and energy to areas of design, which are usually left blank. The texture – is the visual activity across a surface. The repetition of the texture creates the unity of the design of the image. (Steven Bradley. Structures As Patterns and Textures: The Elements Of Design Part IV. (July 26, 2010)) As we know that the texture can be organic or real and the pattern can be geometrical or stylized, it is easy to differentiate them on this particular painting. According to the above said, the texture is present on the plants nearby the main characters and on the sky. The repetition of the texture may be followed exactly on the sky, as it makes a visual sense of the heavy clouds and a feeling that there is about to be a thunder or a storm. Because of this, the sky looks realistic. (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.))The pattern may be found on the clothes of people, especially on woman’s and man’s hats. Such realistic effect was reached by the adding the repetition of thin lines, painted in geometrically right directions.
Of course, it is inappropriate to omit such basic artistic aspect as a space. Under this term should be understood the depth, overlapping and kinds of perspective. Starting with the depth - the artist has successfully reached this with the help of the contrast of the colors on the sky. As it may be seen, on the first plan the sky is red and grey, because of the fire, from the house. On the second plan, the sky is getting darker and darker, which creates a sense of diving inside of the picture. On the third plan, the sky is getting lighter, as may be seen the line, where the dark cloud ands and the sunshine begins. (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.)) Here is the presence of the overlapping, which has also helped to create the sense of depth, while looking at the sky. Emile Jean has reached this effect by putting a lighter tone of the cloud’s color on the darker shadow of it. This makes the viewer notice that the cloud seems to be moving towards the first plan. On this painting there is the usage of the two point’s perspective. It may be seen through the image of the building on the left side of the painting, as the viewer can see not only the front side of it, as in the one point’s perspective, but also another wall, which, again, creates the sense of the depth on this picture.(Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.))
Going back to the movement, present on this work of art it is important to mention that this sense was perfectly reached by the game of light and shadow, and by the usage of the two point’s perspective. From the Emile Jean’s picture it obvious that the time of the depicted situation is the second half of the day, though, the sky is dark, as at the night. This effect was formed, again, by the game of light and shadow: when the dark cloud ends and the sunshine starts. (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.))
As a conclusion, it is appropriate to suggest that this painting is truly considered to be as World Art’s masterpiece. The whole tragedy was depicted on it. Face expressions, gestures, poses – everything is telling the viewer the story of that tragic day. The artist managed to show not only the physical strength of the woman, as she is holding man’s hand, but also, her moral strength, as no matter what, she is hugging her son, a little child, comforting him. (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814.(n.d.))
Even in such taught time she is still a mother and she is trying not only to save herself, but also to save the man and the little boy. According to this, few key elements may be pointed out, such as: the woman, the man, the little boy, and, of course, soldiers from the both sides of the picture – the ones who are invading and the ones, who are protecting. Still, considering all the above said in the critical description, this painting is surely considered as a masterpiece on the World’s Art level.
Reference list:
- Matt Fussell. The Elements- "Shape". (n. d.) http://thevirtualinstructor.com/Shape.html Accessed on the 12 December 2014.
- Dianne Mize. Two Reasons Why Values (Lights and Darks) Are so Important in Paintings. (Dec. 9th, 2008)http://emptyeasel.com/2008/12/09/two-reasons-why-values-lights-and-darks-are-so-important-in-paintings/Accessed on the 12 December 2014.
- Steven Bradley. Structures As Patterns and Textures: The Elements Of Design Part IV. (July 26, 2010) http://www.vanseodesign.com/web-design/structures-patterns-textures/Accessed on the 12 December 2014.
- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Emile Jean Horace Vernet › Scene from the French Campaign of 1814. (n.d.) http://art.famsf.org/emile-jean-horace-vernet/scene-french-campaign-1814-200412Accessed on the 12 December 2014.
