Swing Low Sweet Chariot Analysis
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, John McCrady,oil on canvas,1937.The piece’s subject is clearly stated not only in the title; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But, the illustration is a clear depiction of the famous hymns message; when death is upon a good soul the angels will come to take them home. The scenery offers many focal points. Such as a small wooden shack filled with a three person family and doctor watching an older man on his death bed. Above the shack are a group of angels with horns rejoicing in anticipation of a righteous soul coming home(heaven).Up in the rolling clouds is an opening leading to the heavens; where a parade of angels followed by a chariot are exiting . To the viewer’s right of the shack a battle ensues between a devilish figure and an angel. At first glance the devil vs. angel is the first thing I noticed. After studying the piece longer I noticed a group of domestic dogs outside the small shack focused on the angels hovering above it. I personally enjoyed the rolling clouds in the night sky the most due to the artist use of value and texture. …show more content…
The strongest element of art showcased in this piece is McCrady’s use of color.
Most of the portrait is cast in different shades of brown and black except for the focus areas. The viewer’s attention is immediately drawn to the devilish figure and what looks to be an angel fighting. The devils bright red coloring gives the viewer no choice but to explore the battle ensuing right before their eyes. The mixtures of black and white coloring to create the rolling sky add to the array of color already displayed. Also the parade of angels moving towards the shacks rooftop is an attention grabber. Golden halos decorate every angels head as white robes compliment their melado skin. There are many focus areas in this piece and I believe the artist uses color to direct the viewer’s attention to each of
them.
The strongest principle of organization displayed in McCrady’s piece is his use of dominance.McCrady purposely depicts some figures larger than others in regards to their overall importance to the piece and its’ message.He also uses contrast in color to direct the viewers attention around the work. The artist almost strategically places angelic figures around the shack of the dying man in a protective manner giving way to the overall meaning and content of this piece. There are two opposing sides; The Heavens and Hell.McCrady plays off of this age old battle all the while discreetly choosing a side and displaying the angel’s dominance throughout the painting using porportion, placement of figures, and contrasts in color.
In my opinion the artist uses this painting to promote death as a celebration of life; and the eternal after-life in the heavenly kingdom based on the old negro-spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and interpretations of the Holy Bible. Although the family looks on to their ailing relative in sadness the angels above are rejoicing. God and his angels are rejoicing because another righteous soul is preparing to enter the heavenly kingdom. McCrady’s use of color clearly displays the importance of certain figures, as well as his use of dominance. The way the artist placed certain figures and proportioned them gave way to a clear overall meaning. The righteous will always prevail and evil will succumb to God’s will. ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot ‘by John McCrady was placed in the first floor west wing gallery of the St.louis Art Museum. In this particular gallery were a host of other American art pieces ranging from years 1889-1975.Such as ‘The Mississippi’, 1935, John Steuart Curry and ‘Cradling Wheat’, 1938, Thomas Hart Benton. Both of these pieces focus on family and the everyday Americans’ struggle in my opinion. Viewing this piece in a museum rather than a text book or internet article forced a new appreciation for art upon me. The museum atmosphere is totally different from a relaxed classroom setting. The Silence in the gallery almost forces one to truly engage themselves in the artwork; which in turn brings about a new appreciation for the art.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, John McCrady,oil on canvas,1937.The piece’s subject is clearly stated not only in the title; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But, the illustration is a clear depiction of the famous hymns message; when death is upon a good soul the angels will come to take them home. The scenery offers many focal points. Such as a small wooden shack filled with a three person family and doctor watching an older man on his death bed. Above the shack are a group of angels with horns rejoicing in anticipation of a righteous soul coming home(heaven).Up in the rolling clouds is an opening leading to the heavens; where a parade of angels followed by a chariot are exiting . To the viewer’s right of the shack a battle ensues between a devilish figure and an angel. At first glance the devil vs. angel is the first thing I noticed. After studying the piece longer I noticed a group of domestic dogs outside the small shack focused on the angels hovering above it. I personally enjoyed the rolling clouds in the night sky the most due to the artist use of value and texture. …show more content…
The strongest element of art showcased in this piece is McCrady’s use of color.
Most of the portrait is cast in different shades of brown and black except for the focus areas. The viewer’s attention is immediately drawn to the devilish figure and what looks to be an angel fighting. The devils bright red coloring gives the viewer no choice but to explore the battle ensuing right before their eyes. The mixtures of black and white coloring to create the rolling sky add to the array of color already displayed. Also the parade of angels moving towards the shacks rooftop is an attention grabber. Golden halos decorate every angels head as white robes compliment their melado skin. There are many focus areas in this piece and I believe the artist uses color to direct the viewer’s attention to each of
them.
The strongest principle of organization displayed in McCrady’s piece is his use of dominance.McCrady purposely depicts some figures larger than others in regards to their overall importance to the piece and its’ message.He also uses contrast in color to direct the viewers attention around the work. The artist almost strategically places angelic figures around the shack of the dying man in a protective manner giving way to the overall meaning and content of this piece. There are two opposing sides; The Heavens and Hell.McCrady plays off of this age old battle all the while discreetly choosing a side and displaying the angel’s dominance throughout the painting using porportion, placement of figures, and contrasts in color.
In my opinion the artist uses this painting to promote death as a celebration of life; and the eternal after-life in the heavenly kingdom based on the old negro-spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and interpretations of the Holy Bible. Although the family looks on to their ailing relative in sadness the angels above are rejoicing. God and his angels are rejoicing because another righteous soul is preparing to enter the heavenly kingdom. McCrady’s use of color clearly displays the importance of certain figures, as well as his use of dominance. The way the artist placed certain figures and proportioned them gave way to a clear overall meaning. The righteous will always prevail and evil will succumb to God’s will. ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot ‘by John McCrady was placed in the first floor west wing gallery of the St.louis Art Museum. In this particular gallery were a host of other American art pieces ranging from years 1889-1975.Such as ‘The Mississippi’, 1935, John Steuart Curry and ‘Cradling Wheat’, 1938, Thomas Hart Benton. Both of these pieces focus on family and the everyday Americans’ struggle in my opinion. Viewing this piece in a museum rather than a text book or internet article forced a new appreciation for art upon me. The museum atmosphere is totally different from a relaxed classroom setting. The Silence in the gallery almost forces one to truly engage themselves in the artwork; which in turn brings about a new appreciation for the art.