The Daily Painting: Dragons

Showing posts with label Dragons. Show all posts

Friday, July 15, 2011

The Lair of the Sea Serpent

(click to enlarge)

Elihu Vedder

(American, 1836-1923)

The Lair of the Sea Serpent, 1899

Oil on board

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Saint George and the Dragon

(click to enlarge)

Raphael

(Italian, 1483-1520)

Saint George and the Dragon, 1506

Oil on wood

Friday, October 29, 2010

The Child in the World

(click to enlarge)

Thomas Cooper Gotch

(English, 1854-1931)

The Child in the World, 1900

Watercolor

Gotch explained it as the child "standing alone and unafraid in the innermost, horridest home of the Dragon, called the World, who is powerless against her innocence". The model for the child was his daughter Phyllis.

From The Victorian Web

Questions to ask about a painting

What is the subject of the painting? Does the title add to your understanding of the painting?

What's the main color scheme? Why do you think the artist chose these colors? How do they make you feel?

Where do you look first? What do your eyes follow around the painting? What seems most important in this painting?

Is the painting organized, or jumbled? Chaotic or peaceful?

Consider what it all might mean: What does the painting tell you? What is the artist trying to say about the subject matter? What feeling does the painting evoke? How did the painter achieve this effect?