“Two Birch Trees, One Broken” is a pen and brown wash over black chalk by Nicolas Poussin. The closest tree in the foreground was a victim continuously taking physical abuse from the constant wind. The wind’s gust grew greater in power and weakened the tree. And yet, the tree still remains intact. This tree may represent a friend of Poussin’s or the artist, himself. It is similar to a person by its physical and symbolic form. The tall trunk is the body and the limbs are just that, limbs of a human extending them high and wide as to plead “Please stop! No more!” The hole where the rotting tree is splitting is the head where one would look in its desperate eyes to see, that there are no eyes. The apparent theme is to stand up for who you are and be strong. All these traits set a heavy mood with light details.

Edgar Degas’ 1871 “Dance Class” oil on wood utilizes blissful tints of yellow that portray positive energy. This is one of Degas’ many impressionist paintings of ballerinas. The ambitious ballerinas balance their minds and bodies on tedious choreography as they prepare for class. The textures are soft, but visible. Ruffles and folds of the gowns are gentle and feathered. It is a simple, yet clean look. The painting itself seems to be an airy dream with ballerinas stretching and determined to perfect the pointed-toe. Warm browns and reds help to separate the surrounding yellows. The depth of this piece is inviting to admirers. Therefore, it suggests familiarity to their own lives, as if everyday was a dance class.

Vincent Van Gogh’s 1885 “The Potato Eaters” is oil on canvas. Van Gogh painted this piece only five years prior to his suicide in 1890 (Butterfield). The exaggerated use of darks produces a cold, damp effect. The only light source is of an oil lamp, which is hung above the wooden table. His concerned tone for this painting was obvious. There are five people in the scene and only three are sitting in chairs. The characters seem to be of close relations and of these five, only three are handling the potatoes. This may have been a time where edible resources were scarce. Three of the characters give off a grateful aura. They are grateful they have something to eat and grateful to be with each other. The image of a disgruntled woman to the far right is pouring an herbal beverage, perhaps tea for everyone. Her chair is furthest from the table, distancing herself from the others. Possibly she knew what was to come. This painting foreshadows Van Gogh’s departure.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s 1483 “Virgin (Madonna) of the Rocks” was painted with the intention of purity. The young woman is located between the children and appears to be looking after them as well. This detailed piece has a very pure tone and serene mood. Maybe it’s the heavenly glow of the characters’ skin, or their solemn expressions. The pattern of jagged stones are all throughout the background. The characters had a long walk to escape the harshness of the environment. Here are the resting waters where they find the tranquility they searched for. The apparent theme is to look out for others and they will help accomplish your goals.

Jean – Michele Basquiat 1983 “Horn Players” was painted by oils and spray paint. Basquiat was not a graffiti artist. The use of lights and darks in Horn Players is dramatic. There are three separate sections. The first column has a distorted face. There is some sort of horn below it and a soap box below that. “Dizzy” and “ALCHEMY” are repeated in the second and third panels which interrupt the blues, purples and black. Basquiat had fun creating this piece. It is loose, hip, and bold, much like Basquiat himself.

Kay Morgan’s 2002 watercolor “Past Time” shows a worn croquet set on a weathering wooden porch. Morgan painted this piece only a year after her divorce was settled. It seems to produce a sense of nostalgia and yearning for the past. The irony of a fun, family activity that symbolizes such deep emotions with a complex painting of such a simple subject. The artist used bright reds, blues, greens and yellows for the abandoned croquet balls. Then there’s black. In contrast of the bliss that its viewers should feel. The joy that was once present in these old playing tools was fading. Morgan captured an abundant collection of details and the memory itself would no longer fade. Imagine the balls and mallets as a family and their progress. This painting freezes the moment. They remain on this single step. Stuck. It was not easier. It was not harder. It was still.

Works Cited

http://www.metmuseum.org/special/poussin_nature/view_1.asp?item=13

http://www.abcgallery.com/D/degas/degas32.html

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/painting/453/potato-eaters-the.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_of_the_Rocks

http://johnseed.com/basquiat.html

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=179079382&albumID=38563&imageID=144386

http://pdc.csusb.edu/VincentVanGogh.htm