Formal Analysis

Elements of Art

Line - We do not see any actual lines in the painting, but there are some linear elements and implied lines. The strong horizontal of the shoreline is echoed by the horizontal seats of the boat. We also see two strong diagonal thrusts in the oar and the man’s left arm (this slightly curved diagonal continues up through the woman’s right arm). These help create the deep perspective of the space. We also see an implied line formed by the woman’s glance towards the man’s face.

Shape - There is some large, bold curvilinear shapes formed by the boat and the sail. Theses curved shapes echo each other. The front brim of the woman’s hat also repeats this curve. The water forms a defined negative shape in the composition and the man’s back is so dark we perceive a large organic shape in the foreground.

Space - We see an interesting dichotomy of space in this image. It shows both deep space, with the horizon line so high up in the picture and the perspective created by the oar and the man’s arm, and shallow space formed by the large, flat shapes of the boat and man’s back, giving us an intimate, tilted-up view of the boat and people.

Color and Value - The color harmonies are mostly analogous with green and blue shades. The baby’s pink dress offers a stark contrast. There is a huge value contrast in the picture, formed by the dark values of the man’s clothes compared to the lighter tones of the rest of the picture.

Design Principles

Unity and Variety - The picture is unified by the overall color scheme and repeated curvilinear shapes of the boat, sail and hat. The picture is enlivened by the variation of space (deep and shallow) and the high-contrasting values of the man and the rest of the image. There is also strong contrast between the horizontality of the shoreline and the repeated curved shapes.

Balance - The painting is asymmetrically counter-balanced between the large dark figure of the man and the shape of the sail and diagonal of the oar leading our eye back to the left.

Emphasis - We can say the focal point of the picture is the infant. This is created by the contrasting color, the framing of the baby by the edges of the boat and the adult figures, the centralized location within the canvas, and “arrow” formed by the man’s arm and oar.

Line - An implied horizontal line is formed by the heads of the soldiers. This same line continues through the gun barrels towards the central figure with raised arms and the heads of the peasants behind him. This line creates a strong division between the top and bottom halves of the picture.

Shape - The figures in the picture can be seen to create two main opposing shapes in the image. The larger, rectangular shape is formed by the row of soldiers/ firing squad. The smaller, squared shape is formed by the huddled peasants directly across from the firing squad.

Value - The most important element in this image is value. The emotion and symbolic content of the work is heightened by the strong value contrasts of the bright (pure) central figure compared to the dark (dreary, evil) soldiers.

Design Principles

Unity and Variety - The painting is unified by the overall dark tones and by the repeated types of shapes of the soldiers’ hats, backpacks, boots, etc. Variation is evident in the high contrast created by the central figure and also the raised arms, which contrast with the other peasants’ arms that are mostly covering their faces. The position of the central figure’s arms is echoed in the dead peasant in front on the ground. Variety is also created by the contrasting arrangements of the soldiers (rigid, organized) versus the peasants (random, chaotic).

Balance - The painting is asymmetrically balanced by the opposing masses of the soldiers and peasants.

Emphasis/Dominance - A major principle at work in this piece is emphasis created by the main focal point of the central, brightly lit peasant.

Rhythm - The repetition of the forms that make up the firing squad (rifles, boots, etc.) creates visual rhythm. This accentuates the machine-like coldness of the soldiers.

Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, oil on canvas, 1889. This work is in the public domain in the United States, and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less.

Gordon Parks, American Gothic, Washington D.C. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.

Kasimir Malevich, Suprematism, oil on canvas, 1916. This work is in the public domain in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 75 years or less.