The painting I chose to analyze is The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame by Georges de La Tour. There is many elements and principles of design used in this painting. The first element I notice is line. There is a definite implied line between the woman’s eyes and the candle. Her body also serves as a line to guide your eye around the composition. The curves from her foot lead your eyes all the way up to her head and then to the candle. Light and darkness is also a huge element of the painting. It appears that she is in a room completely dark and the only source comes from the candlelight. Obviously, the light is only imaginary and the artist needed to create this illusion by shedding light onto her face, chest, and wall area. The colors used are mostly dark with shades of gray, blacks, and reds. Most of the space is occupied, but there is a good combination between the figure and ground so that it is not too busy. The composition is therefore well balanced and organized.
The subject matter plays a big role in determining the context of this painting. This woman painted here is Mary Magdalene who is known as one of Jesus’ closest followers and witnesses of his crucifixion. She is one of the most prominent women of Biblical History. She is most commonly thought of as a sinner that contrasts greatly with the Virgin Mary. The painting also represents a vanitas painting, which brings awareness to the fragility of life and certainty of death. In her lap she holds a skull, which is a symbol for death. The candle that is burning represents life and how it could go out at any time. There is definitely iconography in this painting concerning mortality.
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