Ingres' painting Jupiter and Thetis interests me because i do have an interest in Greek Myth. First of all i like the way that Jupiter is at the very center of the painting. he looks so real that i couldn't find myself focusing as much on any other part of the picture. His face is so serious and powerful his arms so strong yet he also seems laid back and comfortable as if he won't help Achilles by intervening in the war (which is true. In greek myth, Achilles dies). There are lines above the head of Jupiter that help draw your attention to him. Also, the size of the subject easily makes him the focal point. The half naked woman Thetis is there begging for him to help out while Jupiter's wife spies jealously. Everything of this painting focuses around jupiter which i find to be pretty cool. The different feeling conveyed by each subjects plays around jupiter as well. Thetis is concerned for her son and therefore conveys her emotions to jupiter. Juno spies as Thetis is speaking to jupiter. Her jealousy is formed around jupiter because she is jealous that he has another woman in his midst. I also found the random eagle or falcon in the picture rather random yet meaningful. That bird has always been a symbol of power, as i recall, and that bird is there to kind of symbolize that Jupiter is the ruler of the gods and that he has all the power. I find it cool that jupiter is just there chillin on the clouds while ignoring everyone in his vicinity. It's almost as if he is so important that he can't get away. the attention is constantly on him and it happens so often that he doesn't even pay it any attention. Such a high authority and it doesn't even phase him. The colors are beautifully displayed the darkness in contrast to the light. The light shines mostly on Jupiter to put him in the spotlight. The shades symbolize the treachery of the war going on. This is just a really powerful painting in my opinion.
Renoir's painting Le Moulin de la Galette is another awesome painting. In the painting there's a party going on and as you look throughout the painting it appears that nobody is looking back at you except for a single couple on the dance floor. The thought that came to my head was that amidst all the noise and commotion there is a couple who seem to only care about each other. I find that really romantic. Everyone seems to be having a great time. This painting just gives an overall ambiance of happiness and peace. I find that the way the painting was painted plays a big roll as well. The painting is painted in a way where it is realistic (you can tell that they are real people, they have realistic qualities, their bodies are proportionate) yet it is painted as if this scene were a dream. It's almost as if the artist were trying to say that times of peace and happiness are but a dream in our world. It's really up in the air and, as far as dreams go, they either come true or they don't. However, in that moment we truly feel happy and at peace. It could also mean that happiness and peace, like a dream, are not meant to last. We feel all the positive emotions in the moment and then before you know it the moment is over. I love this piece because i feel i understand what that happiness feels like all to well. The part where you know everything is great and then it ends. What i really want, however, is to be able to wake up everyday for the rest of my life and know that happiness and peace are there.
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