River Rae S.

Ketnirattana October 5, 2021

A&D HH

The artist used a cross-hatching method to achieve contrast

through a tonal difference in lines. The darker hatches
opposed next to the lighter hatches emphasize the
“heaviness” of the shadows, creating a dramatic or serious
lighting. There is also a linear contrast in lines, for while the
lines appear to be thin and straight, they start to curve in the
lower half of the composition.

Klimt achieves unity in The Kiss through the combination

and contrast of organic shapes (ex. two figures embracing)
and geometric shapes (details on figures’ clothes). The dark,
geometric and masculine shape on the man’s clothes contrast
the woman’s round, organic flower details. Their embrace is
the artwork’s linking element. Additionally, the artwork also
uses a warm color scheme along with a rough yet flat texture
that is felt all over.

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The artist used an asymmetrical balance in this artwork, as
while the human figure is dominant on the right side of the
composition, the curtain and frame balance them out on the
left side. If the black curtain were any other size or color, it
would throw off the artwork’s balance as it would either
overshadow or overpower the human figure on the right. For
example, a bigger, warm-tone curtain on the left would throw
off the cool tones in the artwork and dominate the human
figure’s size. This would create a contrast or emphasis, not
balance.

The artist isolates the person on the bottom from the rest of
the elements, emphasizing their distance from the houses.
The person’s colors are also a brighter value compared to the
desaturated tone of the artwork. The person’s organic shape
and gesture also gives off a contrast compared to the
geometric shape of the houses. The person’s size is also more
dominant than the houses. The person is also more detailed.
All these contrasts aim to isolate the person, emphasizing the
mood or loneliness of this artwork.

While the shapes are all geometric, the artist shows variety by
differing them in size, type of line, and color. There are cool
and warm circles for example, and there are also straight and
curved lines. The fact they are scattered over also emphasize
the variety in the artwork.

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 The space and high-contrast tones of this artwork show
movement. The darkest values are the focal point of this
artwork. These values are positioned on the side, because if
they were in the middle this would have made the picture
appear still instead of moving). The stairs also create a one-
point perspective, but with the curved line, implies
movement.

The altered, monumental proportions in this artwork make the

human figure appear almost caricature-like. Other than being
a stylistic choice, this enhances the message by making what
would be violent reality appear fictional or comical. The
vulture remains small and unbothered, as if waiting for its
meal. The man and the skulls in this artwork are bigger and
oversized, but the warplane from his hand is very tiny. As if
to say that it is not machines that bring death but man instead.

The artist repeats shapes, form, and texture in this artwork.

The figure in the drawing is made up of geometric shapes,
repeated with little difference to stimulate a rhythmic type of
repetition. It’s sort of like a frame-by-frame animation…of
someone nude…descending down…the stairs. Thanks for
being so straight to the point, Duchamp!

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