The Raft Of The Medusa Analysis
How the Visual Arts Communicates
Kristen Cortez
ARTS/100
September 16, 2013
Dr. Laura Ruiz
How the Visual Arts Communicates
Elements of Composition
Maya Lin’s piece Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a V-shaped wall made out of black granite that lists the names of the 60,000 men and women who died in the Vietnam War. This massive piece is located in Washington D.C. The memorial is placed so it looks as if it is descending into the ground. Lin’s piece has been the center of controversy over the dark stone that was used many people associate this ark color with death and many thought of the darkness as being disrespectful to the memories of the fallen. Lin’s stand on the issue …show more content…
This oil painting is enormous it measure 23 feet in length and 16 feet high. This oil painting is done on a canvas. The painting portrays the awful conditions on a raft occupied by shipwrecked passengers of the ship Medusa. This painting is dark and gloomy mostly by the colors that have been chosen to portray the scene appropriately. Gericault was known for making political statements in regards to the French government. Gericault used this painting to show the problems of social stratification and the discrimination during this time. According to history the crew of the Medusa along with some of the passengers were considered lower class and where mustered to the make shift raft, while all the upper class passengers were placed in lifeboats. Gericault’s painting shows racial inequality. During this time in history France was making large profits from the illegal slave trade of African people, Gericault’s made a stand with the government by placing black men in the painting and placing one in a key role, waving the flag towards the rescue ships. This was a huge statement against slavery and a reminder that a leader’s incompetence can claim victims of any skin color. Symbolic Significance
This painting did what many journalists attempt to accomplish by exposing corruption and fact find to help the public know and see the truth. This picture was painted with vindication and conviction as to what Gericault believe to be true during that time period he knew the facts of the government and he made a work of art to show the truth of the world that surrounded him.
Kristen Cortez
ARTS/100
September 16, 2013
Dr. Laura Ruiz
How the Visual Arts Communicates
Elements of Composition
Maya Lin’s piece Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a V-shaped wall made out of black granite that lists the names of the 60,000 men and women who died in the Vietnam War. This massive piece is located in Washington D.C. The memorial is placed so it looks as if it is descending into the ground. Lin’s piece has been the center of controversy over the dark stone that was used many people associate this ark color with death and many thought of the darkness as being disrespectful to the memories of the fallen. Lin’s stand on the issue …show more content…
This oil painting is enormous it measure 23 feet in length and 16 feet high. This oil painting is done on a canvas. The painting portrays the awful conditions on a raft occupied by shipwrecked passengers of the ship Medusa. This painting is dark and gloomy mostly by the colors that have been chosen to portray the scene appropriately. Gericault was known for making political statements in regards to the French government. Gericault used this painting to show the problems of social stratification and the discrimination during this time. According to history the crew of the Medusa along with some of the passengers were considered lower class and where mustered to the make shift raft, while all the upper class passengers were placed in lifeboats. Gericault’s painting shows racial inequality. During this time in history France was making large profits from the illegal slave trade of African people, Gericault’s made a stand with the government by placing black men in the painting and placing one in a key role, waving the flag towards the rescue ships. This was a huge statement against slavery and a reminder that a leader’s incompetence can claim victims of any skin color. Symbolic Significance
This painting did what many journalists attempt to accomplish by exposing corruption and fact find to help the public know and see the truth. This picture was painted with vindication and conviction as to what Gericault believe to be true during that time period he knew the facts of the government and he made a work of art to show the truth of the world that surrounded him.