Comparisonof Two Paintings
Comparisonof Two Paintings
ArtPaintings
Thisformal comparison of the European Art Doña María de Los DoloresGutiérrez Del Mazo y Pérez by José Campeche and the American artClarissa Seymour (later Mrs Truman Marsh) by Ralph Earl, brings focusto two distinct ways of exhibiting different women who lived in avariety of ways. Both paintings are shown in three-quarter lengthportraits, positioned as if they are looking at the viewers. Theartist`s intentions when he painted the eyes of the women were tomake the viewers have a connection with the picture and somehowrelate to them. In essence, it is an effective strategy, and moreinterestingly, better than other strategies such as positioning thelook of the eyes elsewhere.
Inthe portrait of Clarissa Seymour (later Mrs Truman Marsh) by RalphEarl, the lady’s position is very graceful, and her hands are shownto rest on her legs. The painter used different unique colors to showthe somberness and mood of the costume. The colors of the outfit showa gentle lady, unlike the portrait of Dolores Gutiérrez del Mazo yPérez. In addition to this, her face is somewhat illuminated bylight, and this shows off her age cracks on her face, which indicatesthat she was a middle-aged lady (Brooklyn Museum, 2016).
Theoverall expression of the scenario is conservative and quiet, becauseof the manner in which the sitter is positioned. For instance, thesitter’s face seems humble, but the place seems uncomfortable forher. Additionally, the environment in which the sitter is painteddepicts humbleness, but the restless nature illustrates that theartist did not necessarily aim for the viewer`s attention to theexpression, but the costume and the environment as well.
Thesitter may not be from humble beginnings but is forced to seem likeshe is. The dull colors used by the painter, black, grey and a touchof orange with polka dots, are also used to show the mood of thepainting, which is conservative and not shouting. Despite the factthat the picture is meant to be conservative, the fashion statementsmade cannot go unnoticed. In particular, the sitter is adorned with amaterial which has white dots, and the piece of clothing tied aroundthe waist shows a conservative but fashionable sitter.
Thebackground of the painting only contains trees and an environmentwhich are silent. There is a feeling of calmness that overrides theviewers` emotions when they view the art, and this is alsofacilitated by the manner in which the artist has positioned thesitter`s eyes, to look at the viewer directly. The background andcostume tell the story of an individual who is fashionable, yetconservative in nature. Additionally, the use of the eyes and thesmile show a high level of confidence. Despite all the uncertaintiesdepicted by the artist, the sitter is charming and the costumes shehas fit her very well.
Incontrast to of Clarissa Seymour (later Mrs Truman Marsh), DoloresGutiérrez del Mazo y Pérez has several other different details.More specifically, the painting has many bright colors which set thequiet mood of the picture, which includes the use of white, flowersin various lively colors, and yellow. Notably, the portrait is liveand does not depict an environment which is quiet this is shown fromthe background, which shows an environment which is quiet but notconservative. The portrait shows the position of the sitter to berespectful and in a comfortable position. Unlike the Clarissa Seymour(later Mrs Truman Marsh) portrait, the sitter is placed in aposition, which seems comfortable.
Theuse of the flowers by the artist renders the mood of the painting tobe lively, and that of the viewers as well. Coupled with thisstrategy, the artist has made the atmosphere more live by paintingflowers all over the painting. For instance, the sitter has somebeautiful flowers on her head, and this accentuates the beauty of thesitter. Additionally, there is a flower on the table, showing themanner in which the nurse prefers a live mood, rather than the quietand sober atmosphere depicted in the portrait of Clarissa Seymour(later Mrs Truman Marsh).
Thereis a beautiful chair in the painting showing a wealthy sitter who isconscious of her surroundings. The edges of the seat are beautifullypainted and depict those that can only be afforded by the well-offand elite. The sitter`s costume is fashionable and laced with somesmall beautiful flowers which show her sense in fashion because it isout of the norm. It is also worth to note that one of her hands isrested on her hip, while the other rests on the table.
Bothpaintings show sitters who are exquisite and fashionable, whereby onesitter seems humble while the other does not. Additionally, bothartists have used the technique of positioning the eyes straight tothe viewer`s eyes, to create a connection between the portrait andthe painting. The look on Clarissa Seymour (later Mrs Truman Marsh)is intense, confident, and humble at the same time, while the look ofDolores Gutiérrez Del Mazo y Pérez is lively.
Inconclusion, both José Campeche and Ralph Earl have impeccable skillsand this is depicted in the manner which they paint the two distinctpaintings. Despite the similarly regarding the quiet mood shown inthe paintings, they both communicate the existence of differentpersonalities which are exhibited by the artists’ differentapproaches to painting.
References
BrooklynMuseum. (2016). Clarissa Seymour (later Mrs Truman Marsh). Retrievedfrom https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/965
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