The Power of Design
We’ve all heard this art instructor question, “Where is your center of interest or focal point?” We are encouraged to draw attention to our focal point by placing the lightest light next to the darkest dark.
Creating a personal, visual expression is much more than developing a set of instructions about where to look! All of the elements and principles of design are available to enforce our message and create mood and content.
This masterpiece by Francisco Goya (1746-1826), Executions of the Third of May 1808, demonstrates how an artist has strengthened his message with multiple supportive design choices.
There is indeed no question as to where to look; the lightest light is next to the darkest dark. But the emotional content is ‘brought home’ with the oppressive dark ’sky’ weighing down on the victim, and the muted tones drain all hope from the scene (color and value).
The action takes place in the lower part of the painting, fairly close to the audience, implying some immediacy. A strong path leading into the painting from the lower left, up toward the light, beckons you to enter, but do you dare!?
After entering the painting, our direction is pushed from right to left (line and direction) with the thrust of the soldiers. The faces of those being executed can be seen, (recognizable individuals) but the shooters have been depersonalized into a pushing, pointed mindless force. The victim is frozen in horror. The gunmen are organized with repeated gestures and hard edges. The prisoner’s vulnerability is echoed in their rounded, soft, disorganized shapes. Additionally Goya used agitated strokes applied in a course, rough fashion showing the crudeness and violence of the scene. His power of his message is far more than ‘look here’.
~Lynn~