Hello, Humanities Kids,
If you missed class, we started by having a practice session for your test, which is scheduled for Friday, September 21st.
We looked at the following piece by Mary Cassatt called The Bath and then discussed the composition, color, balance/harmony, movement and mood established by the piece. Remember that part of your exam on Friday pertains to doing the same evaluation. Make sure you refer to the five images I posted last time. Review and research them in order to make sure that you have a strong understanding of the composition, color, balance/harmony, movement and mood for each. I HAVE INCLUDED A FORMER STUDENT'S RESPONSE BELOW THE IMAGE.
Elisa Wilson Wilson, 1
Mrs. Crampton
Mythology
September 22, 2001
The Bath by Mary Cassatt
The Bath
by Mary Cassatt embraces the natural love between a mother and a
child. Through the design elements of composition, color, balance, mood
and movement one greatly appreciates Cassatt’s intent, and the viewer
develops a deeper understanding for Cassatt's depiction of the mother
and child.
The composition of The Bath
focuses the audience’s attention on the child. The eye is immediately
drawn to the child, and then to the mother. This draws attention to the
emotion of the moment. Cassatt has also used circles in the piece to
indicate unity and peace between the mother and child. One
can see the circle in the basin, the shape of the heads, and in the
circular form of the pitcher. The background of the painting appears
muted or slightly fussy, which helps bring the attention to the mother
and child. The overall arrangement of subjects gives the viewer a sense
of peace.
The
color used indicates a moment of peace. Cassette used white for the
little girl to indicate her innocence and naivety. The mother appears in
a stripped dress using light green, pink and white. These colors let
the audience know that the moment is serene. The red colored carpet,
although subtle, lets the audience know that the relationship between
the mother and child is genuine.
Cassatt
has created a balance in the work, as the mother and child are placed
in the middle of the piece. No contention or disharmony exists here.
The balance gives the viewer an understanding of harmony and
relaxation, as these are the emotions experienced by the two subjects.
The
movement of the piece begins first with the child. The audience sees
the little girl and then the eye is drawn down toward the basin. The
mother washing the child’s foot helps the audience understand the
connection between the two of them. In addition, both subjects are
looking in the same direction towards the child’s feet as the mother
gently cleans them. This positioning helps the audience follow the gaze
to the feet of the child.
The
audience becomes captured by the peaceful and relaxed mood set by this
piece. Cassatt clearly valued relationships, especially those among
children and mothers. The mother portrays concern for the child’s
well-being by securing the child in her lap with one hand, while the
other hand gently caresses the girl’s foot. These actions appear
natural, and help the viewer recognize the significane of the
relationship.