Image analysis
Images in art and architecture are important in that they carry message. Interpretation of images is an important skill to posses in the field of art and architecture. Image interpretation therefore is a fundamental component of decoding the meaning of images. Artists in the creating of their works employ various features in their work of art to create the desired effect on the person interacting with the image. These features give the image its interpretive value. In interpretive analysis, a determination is made on the elements of the drawing more represented than the others are. Such aspects include the use of colors, use of lines and geometric shapes, contrast, balance in the picture and the like. This paper seeks to provide a formal analysis of the images ‘statue of liberty by Andy Warhol’ and ‘the last supper’ by Leonardo Da Vinci.
‘The last supper’ is undoubtedly one of the most famous paintings in the world. The painting is located on a wall in a church in Milan. The historical significance of this painting is that it depicts a religious scene, specifically, the last supper Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion. The image is of religious significance to people of Christian faith therefore, as this is one of the monumental moments defining Jesus as a son of God and savior.
Andy Warhol’s statue of liberty is a reproduction of the statue of liberty by the artist, to produce a different feel to an already existing art form. The statue of liberty represents the American dream. Initial meaning of the statue was to represent friendship between nations, and as an inspiration for liberty to spread from America to the rest of the world. In the past, Americans have associated it with a land of opportunity where any man would survive on their effort, and would not have to stay stuck in the social class they were born. Andy Warhol’s version therefore, seeks to lend the statue of liberty more meaning by presenting it in a different media.
The last supper
The image of the last supper by Da Vinci has utilizes a variety of techniques to give the image it its current form. Perspective, the skill of creating depth in a flat surface applies in the drawing. The lines that form the walls, windows and the ceiling taper. The focal point of the image is Jesus. Da Vinci acquires this effect by aligning him perfectly both horizontally and vertically. This alignment, accentuated by the perspective created make the head of Jesus the focal point of the image. Additionally, the lines tapering behind Jesus, to create perspective, seem to converge somewhere behind him. This use of perspective helps in positioning Jesus at the center of the room, while making him the focal point of the image. The use of shapes is evident in the image. All the objects placed on the table assume a round shape. The room contains many rectangular objects such as windows. The windows are used to imply continuity of the image behind the walls, and to create the impression that this event was going on within a larger scheme of activities.
Da Vinci uses light brilliantly to enhance the quality of the image. The right hand side of the image is much brighter in comparison to the left side. This implies that the source of the light is from the left, probably indicating what time of the day it was. The use of color scheme is evident in the painting. The use of brighter colors towards the middle of the image, where Jesus is indicates the intent of the artist at drawing further attention to the head of Jesus.
The statue of liberty
The image created by Andy Warhol is a repetitive sequence twelve of images of the statue of liberty. The multiple images probably refer to the various interpretations of the image. Over time, the image has represented different things to different people, this aspect exhibits in the versions created by Andy Warhol. The use of color in this drawing is very playful. The artist uses different hues of color over different replica of the statue. The colors represent the varying degree of obscurity each individual has to the American dream. The use of alignment in the image applies. The image has a definite vertical height. The horizontal definition of the image however remains a mystery. The image appears to continue on the right hand side from which side an extension of the image is seen.
The use of the incomplete images helps in creating a sense of continuity in the work outside of the confines of the canvas it is painted on. This continuity might imply the indefinite representations of the image to every American.
The original sculpture is a three dimensional piece of art. However, the Andy Warhol representation is rigidly two-dimensional. The use of two dimensions shows a rigidity and absence of depth in what the statue represents. Two-dimension representation of the image suits the theme applied in the image, in line with the playful use of color, signifying obscured perceptions.
Works Cited
As, Imdat, and Daniel L. Schodek. Dynamic Digital Representations in Architecture: Visions in Motion. Abingdon [England: Taylor & Francis, 2008. Print.
Willats, John. Art and Representation: New Principles in the Analysis of Pictures. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press, 1997. Print.
