Painting Critique

For my Cyber Arts class we were asked to write a critique of an image in Imitationalism, Emotionalism, and formalism perspectives. I chose the Sleep Nassau by Winslow Homer for my assignment because It is an eye-catching piece and I think the blue in the painting looks beautiful.

If I were to look at this painting in an imitational perspective, I would somewhat like this painting because it doesn't look very lifelike, yet it looks somewhat real. The Ocean looks a bit rough and the clouds look a little flat. The boat and people however look realistic and 3D as if you were on the shore or perhaps the ocean looking at the boat and the people on it.

If I would look at this painting in a Emotionalism perspective I would find this painting very calming to the eye because of the dull grayish-blue colours used in the right upper corner in the sky. It gives you the feeling that rain is coming. When it rains you feel calm so the calmness is reflected in this painting.

If I were to look at this painting in the formalism perspective I would really like this painting. The light and dark colours balance each other so nothing seems out of place. The artist used both soft and rough strokes in different tones of blue and green to make waves creating movement in the ocean. The grayish blue sky then balances the movement. The boat and people in the middle then completes the painting.

In my opinion this painting is beautiful with it's details and colour choices. Remember, everyone has their own perspectives and points of view but I would like to thank you for taking the time to read mine.