Analysis of Modernist & Deconstructivist Architecture
1. Tassel House Analysis
Description
The Tassel House, designed by Victor Horta in 1892-1893 in Brussels, is a small residence constructed with classic materials like wood and stone, alongside modern iron beams and columns. Horta was a pioneer in using iron as both a structural and decorative element.
Formal Analysis
The building’s layout adapts to a long, narrow plot, featuring three floors with open plans. A harmony exists between functionality and modernist aesthetics, with rhythmic patterns in
Read MoreAnalysis of Artworks from Various Periods
The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Description
Background: The Starry Night depicts the landscape Van Gogh saw from his room at the asylum near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Notably, the church, people, and mountains are included in the background.
Formal Elements: Predominantly pictorial in its formulation, Van Gogh utilizes thick brushstrokes, distinctly marking each line with varying pressures. The contours of the mountains and houses are defined by a thick black line. He applies color directly onto
Read MoreImpressionism and Post-Impressionism: A Revolution in 19th-Century Painting
The Painting of the Late 19th Century: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
Introduction
The 1870s witnessed a significant shift in the economy, impacting all levels of artistic and social life. The failure of the Paris Commune brought a period of stability for the industrial and financial bourgeoisie, marking the peak of their power. The illustrated press expanded, and cultural events became mass phenomena. Two factors influenced artistic life: the popularization of photography and the development
Read MoreGlossary of Art and Architectural Terms
A
Compluvium
An opening in the atrium of Roman houses with a sloping roof towards the interior, allowing rainwater to collect in the impluvium or central pond. This system provided some water self-sufficiency in dwellings.
C
Canon
A rule of human figure proportions, accepted as the ideal type by Greek sculptors, whose highest aspiration was perfect proportion in an idealized natural form. Polykleitos’s famous canon is the practical form of the theoretical principles formulated in his work called “Kanon”
Read MoreSpanish Baroque Painting: Masters, Styles, and Schools
Spanish Baroque Painting: An Introduction
Introduction and Key Features
The 17th century, known as the Golden Age, represents a pinnacle of Spanish painting. Masters like Velázquez, Ribera, and Zurbarán emerged during this period. Primary patrons included the monarchy and nobility, while the struggling middle class played a lesser role in art promotion. Artists held a relatively low social status, akin to artisans, and painting was considered a manual activity. The generation of 1560 is recognized
Read MoreArt Analysis Guide: Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting
Comment Model: Works of Art
Architecture
Classification
Type of building in question.
Materials
Construction materials and their aesthetic function.
Title
Title of the work.
Formal Features
- Type of building, indicating its original function and its current role if it has changed.
- Analysis of the floor plan and its various parts.
- Description of materials and construction techniques:
- Types of coverings (vault, dome, etc.).
- Columns, pillars, brackets, etc.
- Doors, doorways, openings, and their function.
- Decorative