Red Hose, egg tempera on calfskin parchment, 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.
In Western culture we begin reading at the upper left and end at the lower right, so it follows that the lower right part of a painting is its visually heaviest area. Because of this I didn't know if the composition of this painting would work with its red curved cylinder and dark rectangle at the right. But I think that it does work, perhaps because of the angled shadow that pulls the eye leftward, or perhaps because of the shadow's contrast with the large expanse of light. The red hose was originally black, indented, and in pieces. It's also possible that the intensity of the red––although it's not a very bright red––lightens the right side of the painting. Putting a picture together is always a balancing act.
Red Hose detail
They are speaking to me, on so many levels. Wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Deborah.
DeleteI like how you balanced the color, the shapes and forms.... it's like a well written song, harmonious and lovely to see/hear!
ReplyDeleteI love the juxtaposition of Red Hose with the painting on the right column (of the blog). Both have that wonderful interplay between flatness and the suggestions of depth. Always a pleasure to see your new work, Altoon.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Annette and Tamar, for the nice comments. And you're right, Tamar, those two paintings do have a nice conversation with each other.
ReplyDelete