Emotion and Character expressed through Connections

Augustus effectively uses personal relations, background composition and vibrant colours to successfully capture the essence of his subject. F.H. Varley attempted to do the same in The study of Joan but in comparison to The Marchesa Casati the subtle differences create a negative impact showing us how successful Augustus really was. Augustus John collaborates with his long time lover Marchesa Luisa Casati to create a beautiful bravura style painting with a bold provocative gaze and pose. Augustus being so close to Luisa he captured her, not as one of the outrageous acts she puts on, but Luisa when she is most herself. Dominating the canvas she's placed in front of the Italian alps which only accentuates her character and emphasizes her bold personality. Colour was used to express Luisa though her mass of brilliant red hair and dark piercing eyes. All the vivid colours suggest a woman supremely aware and confident of the impact she has on viewers (John, 1945). Fredrick Horsman Varley loved to paint family and friends, although he was often misunderstood he was good at reading character and loved to express their hidden natures and affection for living through his portraits. In Study of Joan he painted his best friends teenage daughter. He captured her calm life style by muted colours and a background open to interpretation. The relationship between artist and model is vital to the quality and depth of work. It has a huge impact on how the subject is observed and emotion it expresses. Augustus John was known to be romantically involved with Luisa Casati creating a deep understanding of each other. Although F.H. Varley was a very good reader of character, having a personal intimate relationship created such depth of emotion and character which is strongly evident in The Marchesa Casati. In The Study of Joan, F.H Varley captured his best friends teenage daughter in a very naive childish light. There isn't much emotion or story evident when observing the