John Constable Edge Of A Wood Analysis

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John Constable created the Edge of a Wood in 1816, an Oil on canvas presented in the Art Gallery of Ontario. The work, in which its dimensions are 92.1 x 72.1, presents a painting of the forest in the fall season. The trees, seemingly depicts density through its amalgamation of leaves and darker tones of shadows. The shadows, encapsulate any tones the vibrant fall season may bring forth, and helps usher the density Constable wishes to create. It is not until modalities shift to the foremost tree on the left, where it is contrary in tones to its proceeding trees. The tones show intensive ardour, with its leaves being shaded green, red, and orange; creating a voiced sense of realism. It is not until the viewer realizes the vibrant left tree is used in a technique known as atmospheric perspective, a method to create the illusion of depth. By analyzing the atmospheric perspective elements, this paper will demonstrate how Constable uses the left tree in its modulation of colour to contrast with the …show more content…

The red-cloaked man’s disposition highlights the focal tree, allowing the tree to seem prominent in position and shows the relativity of Constable’s atmospheric perspective. Additionally, the man and the two donkeys give the painting a narrative by suggesting winter is near, and that the use of donkeys is for assisting in collecting sticks for firewood in the forthcoming winter season. The positioning of the blackish-brown donkey shows the animal on a hill higher than the brown donkey, leading the modalities to the orange coloured hill dictating fall season, of which stands to the tree to the left, and balances the weight of the sky. This, in turn, pushes the viewers gaze downwards, of which the bright strokes of yellow at the foot of the trunk lead the viewer to the focal

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