"Color, rather than shape, is more closely related to emotion."
-David Katz
-David Katz
Expressionism
In this painting by German Expressionist Franz Marc, the yellow cow is a major symbol. Marc believed in his theory that yellow was feminine because it is happy, calm, mellow, gentle, and cheerful. He also believed that blue was masculine. In this painting, the cow could be a representation of his wife, while the blue hills are an abstract self portrait.
Franz Marc, The Yellow Cow, 1911
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
Franz Marc, The Yellow Cow, 1911
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
Cubism
Cubism is the style that gives the effect of shattered glass. There is synthetic cubism and analytic cubism. Synthetic cubism is when the painting or object is broken apart and then put back together. Analytic cubism is when something is broken apart and then spread over a space or canvas. The Weeping Woman, in synthetic cubism. There are many shapes; triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, and many more. The colors are unrealistic, for the face and hands of teh woman are yellow and green. The colors give a more chaotic effect to the painting.
Pablo Picasso, The Weeping Woman, 1937
Tate Modern, London
Pablo Picasso, The Weeping Woman, 1937
Tate Modern, London
Fauvism
In this painting, the color blue is really the subject. There are many different shades of blue blending together to make the forms and shapes of blue objects. For example, the hills and the sky are both blue, but they are both different shades, creating the form of the hills. However, there is not only blue, but small patches of yellow, green, black, white, and red. These add highlights and punctuation to the painting. This painting creates a mood. This painting make the viewer feel calm and sometimes sad. In Fauvism, colors are related to emotions. For this particular painting, the expression, I'm feeling blue, works perfectly.
Henry Matisse, The Blue WIndow, 1912
Museum of Modern Art, New York
Henry Matisse, The Blue WIndow, 1912
Museum of Modern Art, New York
Pop Art
In Pop Art, the colors are bright, vivid, and strong. The colors are used to show emotion and create everyday objects. The subjects of Pop Art are everyday simple objects. The paintings sometimes do not involve much detail, but are considered great works. This was a revolution, painting everyday objects, for before, subjects had been religious or political. In Marilyn Monroe, Warhol uses unnatural colors for her skin. This was common in Pop Art. “Art is what you can get away with.” - Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, 1962-67
Museum of Modern Art, New York
Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, 1962-67
Museum of Modern Art, New York