Critic

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Critic

Introduction

The paintings by Robert Salmon are presented as traditional landscapes and genre ensembles. The represented paintings show scenes or seascapes through his consideration as an American Luminist and as a maritime artist. The Horseman is a painting, which shows an ancient image of a man on a horse back arriving at a cottage. The surrounding shows large rock boulders and approach of a seascape with approaching forest cover. The cottage is in the midst of the thicket. Two dogs place the horse rider amidst them, while at the cottage; a female figure is seen to air her laundry. Land’s End is circumspect with the view of a landscape of seaside. On top of an extended boulders approaching the sea are three separate people while the fourth is in a different rock ensemble nearby. The three people depicted point to a family representation where the child is resting on a spread mat, whereas the two adult are close by. The paintings by Robert Salmon are ideal representations of traditional art.

Discussion

One of the main similarities between the two paintings is through the represented mood. In the Horseman painting, the mood engulfed is that of calmness and projected serenity, especially with the natural landscape. As the rider is approaching the seafront, the author presents the calmness especially with the angular placement and view of the cottage on the other side. In addition, the female figure represented with laundry by the clothes line ensures a home presence is felt. On the other hand, Land’s Endpainting also enables a calm mood through its representation. The artist uses the family composition and picnic setting to show the mood from the characters and ideas behind the painting. However, in the latter’s painting, there is lack of unison with the dejected fourth person in it. The distance created does not contribute to the calm mood by the painting.

            The figurative element choice made by the author in the two paintings is responsible for the mood development. According to the traditional genres and landscape painting, the choice of mood is dependent on the colors used by the artist. The representation of warm mood is shown by the two paintings especially with the green and brown colors. In the Horseman, the green color shown by the forest cover and hue on the image of the painting is responsible for delivering serenity and calmness throughout. There is no striking feature that causes upheaval in representation since the green color takes off the effect. In the Land’s Endpainting, the brown color is distinct with the earthly nature and representation throughout. The posture and enabled calmness is shown through the characters and hue shown. Both deliver the landscapes in natural forms of origin.

            In contrast, the setting of the two paintings enables a differential mood representation. In Land’s Endpainting, the landscape setting of the surrounding water with isolated rock boulders in it does not give a clear mood depiction on the horizon. There is room for uncertainty depicted by the fog on the background and distant lands. The closest of calmness shown is only realized through the family setting in the picnic kind and the contribution by placement of the landmarks (Bomford and Leonard 17). The nearby male charact5er and dejected rock boulder enhances the uncertainty. On the other hand, Horseman painting is setting is ideal with the mood. It reassures of stability and calmness. It is shown by the peaceful approach by the rider, horse and the two dogs while the presence of the cottage is important. In addition, the homemaker hanging laundry gives safety within the occurrences of the painting.

            Robert Salmon depicts the traditional art representation through elimination of imaginative content through the two paintings. The elimination of content through imagination is typical of genres whereas the idealization is based on attention towards elements like costumes, moods, and settings. In the Horseman painting, understanding of the choice of costumes, setting and relaxed atmosphere deliver the mood. Salmon used the traditional clothing style coupled with the cottage house. It was reminiscent of the medieval period as opposed to derived kinds. It is further supported by natural elements of the landscape and color. Similarly, Land’s End painting offers little room for imaginative elimination. The striking features are through the characters represented, the setting of the involved persons and natural landscape displayed. Attention is captured by the accuracy of such an occurrence in both, especially considering the existence of the natural landscapes.

            The relevance depicted in both paintings is different through their comparison. Traditional genre painting reduces the need for imaginative delivery. Bomford and Leonard (14) argue that Robert Salmon depicted the two paintings to enable comparison especially with relevance on the mood generated by the viewer. In the Horseman painting, the relevance of having the cottage and the female character is positive, especially in the eyes of the viewer. It can be used to deduce on the return of the male rider back home after an excursion or medieval participation in events like wars. There is certainty with a homecoming of sorts to the rider. On the other hand, Land’s Endpainting offers little relevance on the representation. Despite the uncertainty shown by the distant background, the picnic held by the family is positive. It can be used to gauge the necessity of embracing the unique view.

            Through the two paintings and the comparison of their representation an understanding of landscape painting is drawn. There is the presence of natural elements in both paintings especially with the seascape and rock boulders. In addition, the use of warm colors to enhance the mood and uncertainty on the backgrounds, the landscape painting is not fully represented. The use of character in human form captures the attention instead of the nature through art. Emphasis should have been placed in showing the seascape, the forest, water bodies, and weather. For example, through the landscape painting in Europe at the time, the subject matter used was mainly nature through art. It was critical as the representation was simple without the artistic impression and generated aura. By limiting the human characteristic depiction and increasing representation of the natural forms, Robert Salmon would have additional value to the paintings. However, they remain ideal.

Conclusion

The paintings are perfect representations of traditional art. The artist uses mood creation, use of natural forms, color choice, and depiction of understanding in relevance creating to deliver the paintings. The represented paintings show scenes or seascapes through his consideration as an American Luminist and as a maritime artist. The Horseman and Land’s Endpaintings require critical comparison on the forms in order to understand genre art and traditional elements associated with them. They have limited artistic ensembles but demand closer attention in the mood represented and value.

Work Cited

Bomford, David, and Mark Leonard. Issues in the Conservation of Paintings. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute, 2007. Print.