Comparison Of Self Portrait With Bandaged Ear By Van Gogh

The three works that I have studied are all works of portraiture, not just portraiture but all the works are self-portraits. These artists use color to emphasize the tone and mood of the art. Van Gogh uses various cool blue tones in “Self portrait with Bandaged Ear” to set the visual path and give rise to rhythm. Frida uses repeated golds and warm browns to harmonize the “Self Portrait Dedicated to Dr. Eloesser”. She also uses vivid colors to emphasize the flowers and “beautiful” things. As far of methods of application, Van Gogh uses a thick application of paint on canvas, called impasto. Looking at the painting you can tell that the paint is laid on thickly because the texture of brush strokes are visible. This gives the painting a greater sense of physical energy and a palpable surface texture. (Stockstad) In Frida’s pieces her application is much smoother.
They both use self portraits to depict their states of sadness during different times in their lives. In “Self portrait with Bandaged Ear” Van Gogh displays a very melancholy facial expression and his clothing is very dreary. In both “Self Portrait dedicated to Dr. Eloesser” and “Self-Portrait with Thorn necklace and Hummingbird” Frida displays a a very serious facial expression. Almost as if she has no emotion. Both Van Gogh and Kahlo use emphasis to highlight their emotions at this time in their life. They use line to emphasize their expressions of