Analysis Of Thomas Cole The Oxbow
The Oxbow
In the hands of an artist like Thomas Cole, the complexity of applying oil to canvas, allows a masterpiece such as The Oxbow to come into being. This 51 ½” X 76” work of art was created in 1836 (Frank 2013). Cole’s artwork is a balance between chaos and peace, as well as the untamed land and progress. Storm clouds hover over the wilderness on the left side, as bright sky’s shine above the lush farmlands and clear blue water below on the right. Thomas Cole artistically brought together imaginative techniques to create a masterpiece that shows the difference between tranquility and turmoil, as well as developed land compared to that of the wild.
The use of visual elements is important in creating a masterpiece in the art world. Cole used these elements creatively. On the right lower half of the painting, Cole …show more content…
A large circular landmass is placed in the center of the calm blue river, almost creating a (P) shape. Geometric shapes are created in the lush green farmland, which are broke up by small, leafy, trees and rolling hills. A mass of billowing, white and grey clouds are present in the upper right, pale blue skyline. The use of darker color also allows the viewer to see the mass of hills that protrude from the earth. Smaller white capped hills in the background, that look to be lost in the clouds, give the illusion of distance allowing the viewer to see depth in the painting. The slanted brush strokes used while creating the storm clouds in the upper left corner, give the impression of motion, as if the storm is moving off to the west. The use of light in the right side of
In the hands of an artist like Thomas Cole, the complexity of applying oil to canvas, allows a masterpiece such as The Oxbow to come into being. This 51 ½” X 76” work of art was created in 1836 (Frank 2013). Cole’s artwork is a balance between chaos and peace, as well as the untamed land and progress. Storm clouds hover over the wilderness on the left side, as bright sky’s shine above the lush farmlands and clear blue water below on the right. Thomas Cole artistically brought together imaginative techniques to create a masterpiece that shows the difference between tranquility and turmoil, as well as developed land compared to that of the wild.
The use of visual elements is important in creating a masterpiece in the art world. Cole used these elements creatively. On the right lower half of the painting, Cole …show more content…
A large circular landmass is placed in the center of the calm blue river, almost creating a (P) shape. Geometric shapes are created in the lush green farmland, which are broke up by small, leafy, trees and rolling hills. A mass of billowing, white and grey clouds are present in the upper right, pale blue skyline. The use of darker color also allows the viewer to see the mass of hills that protrude from the earth. Smaller white capped hills in the background, that look to be lost in the clouds, give the illusion of distance allowing the viewer to see depth in the painting. The slanted brush strokes used while creating the storm clouds in the upper left corner, give the impression of motion, as if the storm is moving off to the west. The use of light in the right side of