Art Analysis


Background
    The painting above is titled Italian Coast Scene with Ruined Tower, created in 1838 by Thomas Cole. This painting is oil on canvas, and the dimensions are 34 x 46 inches. Thomas Cole is considered America’s first important landscape painter. Cole traveled to Italy between 1831 and 1832, sketching towers like those seen above. Upon his return to America, he painted a collection featuring towers in landscapes. Though not specified in my research, it seems this artwork originated in America.

Analysis
    This artwork makes one feel like they are enjoying a peaceful morning or evening on the Italian coast. It is easy to imagine sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee or glass of wine on the greenery beside the tower. It is a peaceful depiction and provides a feeling of contentment.  This painting would look best displayed in a seaside cottage or airy beach house. 

Color
    The first element that stands out in this painting is the application of color. The colors used in this painting feel very soft. The greenery, and the tower’s stone, are bright and stand out against the pastel-blue sky and white-lavender clouds. The golden hue cast over the outcropping of land gives an overall feeling of warmth.

Space
    The horizon and shadows used in this painting effectively create a feeling of depth. The lone tower, shepherd, and sheep, contrasted with the vast sea and ship in the distance, invokes a feeling of calming tranquility. The artist guides the viewer’s eyes from the tower out across the sea towards the ship, clouds, and sun. 

Texture
    The texture achieved in this artwork provides a cozy feeling. The clouds appear fluffy and light; an appealing backdrop for the tower. The stones that make up the retaining wall seem old yet strong. The sheep, though small, look fuzzy, and the greenery they are resting on appears lush. 

Bibliography

“Italian Coast Scene with Ruined Tower.” National Gallery of Art, www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.82649.html#overview. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024. 





Comments

  1. Fin LudwigFebruary 1, 2024 at 9:01 PM

    I as well love this piece, as a landscape painter the elements here are familiar and you did a great job pointing out the use of atmospheric perspective to give depth to the piece. I like that you mentioned how the artist guides the viewer's eye out to sea because this is definitely how I first viewed the piece as well. This was accomplished because of the way the composition radiates out from the sun as though it is painted in one point perspective. This does a great job of grounding each element of the painting and making it seem more realistic. This is an awesome piece and I'm glad you shared it!

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  2. Chris Kloeber's ART F200x blogFebruary 6, 2024 at 1:38 PM

    I liked how you highlighted the softness of the colors in this painting. The sunlight coming from the left side of the painting casts golden hues on the seawall boulders, deepening the chiaroscuro effect. The human figure and livestock seem insignificant in the presence of the spectacular landscape. The human worries and sorrows dissolve in the tranquility of the calm, sun-bathed sea. It complements this artwork's pastoral, romantic mood, a beautiful example of American romanticism. I found it intriguing that Thomas Cole, born in Borton le Moors, UK, emigrated to the US in 1818 and founded the Hudson River School, which is famous for landscape painting and became prominent for his Italy-inspired landscapes. It is a perfect illustration of an ambitious and gifted globetrotter life.

    https://thomascole.org/biography-of-thomas-cole/

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  3. Jasmine BFebruary 7, 2024 at 8:07 AM

    The painting you provided is very beautiful and you did a great job analyzing the color and structure of this painting. Your detail to the lighting and golden hues was very interesting, and when I look at this painting personally I feel a relaxed vibe to it. It reminds me a lot of Rapunzel, and despite it being dark at times, it still has lighthearted themes that remind me a lot of this painting.

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    Replies
    1. JanaeFebruary 7, 2024 at 2:04 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. JanaeFebruary 7, 2024 at 2:05 PM

    This piece of art work is fantastic, you explained the elements very well. How you described the texture of this painting really stood out to me with the feeling of the stone looking old but portrayed as strong. It made the scene stand out to me

    ReplyDelete
  5. OwenFebruary 9, 2024 at 12:47 AM

    You really nailed the analysis for this piece with describing the "cozy felling" that it gives off. The warm colors and texture really do maximize that feeling. Do you think Thomas Cole also used the art element of patterns to create this landscape on top of the other elements applied?

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