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| Claude Monet Water Lillies 1920 |
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| Chuck Close Maggie 1996 |
Monet and Close were both focused on investigating paint,colour and human perception. Monet was part of the early impressionist movement (“Claude Monet, (1840-1926),” 2011). And hence was concerned with landscape painting and the desire to simplify forms and light into basic components in order to create and impression of a scene . Impressionist works can be characterized by the presence of short ,fragmented brush strokes and the use of unmixed/untainted colours. Highly textured surfaces and a simplification of compositional elements resulted in an emphasis on spontaneity and focus on the overall impression of a scene as opposed to fine details. (“What is Impressionism,” 2011). Impressionists drew on subject matter from everyday surroundings and sought to present a new viewpoint on landscape painting and the experience of such surroundings.In Monet’s water lily paintings he presents a viewpoint that is close up and immerses the viewer in the painting ,this challenged the traditional approach of presenting an entire landscape scene as a view from afar. It is said that he “wished for the paintings to encompass the viewer” (“Water Lilie, Claude Monet,” 2010), and to “supply "the illusion of an endless whole, of water without horizon or bank" (“Water Lilie, Claude Monet,” 2010).
Chuck Close ,on the other hand, has been associated with the styles of photo realism/hyper realism(“Chuck Close,” 2011).A prominent figure in contemporary art since the 1970’s ,Close employs thousands of tiny airbrush strokes along with circular strokes ,in a variety of colours and finger/thumbprints to create a mosaic like effect in his works.
(“Chuck Close,” 1998). This technique echoes the grid technique often employed by Photo realists to reduce fragments of an image to formal elements of design. (Chuck Close,” 2000-2001). His subject matter largely consists of portraits based on photographs of close family and friends and link the representational nature of processes involved with photography and painting. Close’s desire to only paint subjects whom he personally knows poses an interesting question surrounding artists engagement with the work while adding emotional intensity . (“Chuck Close,” 2011).
Some quotes which exemplify the artists ideals and support the work are listed below :
“Claude Monet and the Impressionists were the forward thinkers and painters of their time. They used quick brushstrokes and a rapid pace to capture lively outdoor scenes.
Inspired by the colors and shadows revealed by sunlight, the Impressionists typically worked outside, without many preliminary sketches or drafts. This was in direct contrast to the conservative traditions of the time, where painters remained indoors, confined to their studios, working on crisp, sharply rendered images,” (Simkus, 2010).
"These landscapes of water and reflections have become my obsession. They are far beyond my old man powers and despite everything I want to succeed in conveying what I feel." - Claude Monet (“Chuck Oscar Monet,”2006)
“Chuck Close's monumental paintings of his friends, family and himself are instantly recognisable. Photographically realistic from a distance, upon closer inspection the portraits reveal themselves as the accumulation of hundreds of geometric shapes -- circles and triangles of different colours inside diamonds and rectangles,” (Mason, 2009).
"Close’s method of painting is always indexical, an incremental process whereby associative colours and shapes build up a pictorial syntax and a recognisable figurative whole."
(White Cube - Chuck Close ,2011)
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| Chuck Close Self Portrait 1994 |
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| Claude Monet Water Lillies 1920 |
In looking at the works and intentions of each artist we see some similarities in the works :
· Both artists have a desire to perfect the portrayal of their chosen subject matter and technique ,each present a series of similar works in order to capture different facets of a subject or to present what they feel is a more successful portrayal of an experience/subject. Monet’s focus on water lilies famously continued for many years in almost a tedious manner . (“Love, Not Light...Lilies,” 2011).While Close focused on the human form in an equally dedicated manner (Chuck Close ,2011)
· A second similarity is the use of raw /un mixed paints to define colour.I feel this application of paint helps to highlight the concern with texture,shape and shadow prominent to both artists.
· Additionally, the technique of small elements being employed to define a whole image is central to both works. Monet employs typically impressionist small brush strokes (“What is Impressionism,” 2011). While Close uses shapely elements evident of the grid basis employed in much of photo realistic art. (“Chuck Close,” 2011).
Along with similarities come according differences :
· Monet’s work is devoid of technological influence as many of his paintings were purely observational constructed at the scene of the subject matter ,a process pioneered by the Impressionists. (“What is Impressionism,” 2011). Close’s work on the other hand is based on the technological process of photography as he works from the photographic image. (“Chuck Close,” 2011).
· The blindingly obvious difference of subject matter is another crucial variance as the elements of landscapes and portraiture produce a rather different overall composition..
· The contrasting stylistic approaches also are a point of difference in the two works ,Monet employs fluid brush strokes to convey a sense of the Arcadian beauty of nature and its organic forms . (“Water Lilie, Claude Monet,” 2010). Close contrasts this with the rigid more geometrical grid approach in which systematic elements make up a whole. (“Chuck Close,” 2011).
The experience of researching these two artist’s has been a rewarding one .Investigating two representational artists working from two entirely different eras and art contexts has challenged me to consider the effect of formal elements on the presentation of the final work. I enjoyed discovering the aims of the impressionist movement and really appreciate Monet’s dedication to exploring the changing nature of a natural scene as it is influenced by natural elements.
The way in which soft brushstrokes make up the image really highlights the idea that the overall is more influential than accurate detail and I find this aesthetic very pleasing to the eye. Chuck Close’s work was also intriguing especially in the artists conceit of only painting subjects with whom he has a personal relationships. I enjoyed the abstract and vibrant nature of closes work yet in some ways I prefer Monet’s style as the systematic grid-like approach evident in much of Close’s work presents an almost chaotic impression of the human form. The human form like Monet’s landscapes is in essence a natural subject matter and I find Monet’s treatment of formal elements provides a more honest and visually consistent impression of an organic /natural form .
References:
What is Impressionism (2011). http://www.artinthepicture.com/styles/Impressionism/
Water Lilie, Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926) (2010). http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=80220
Love, Not Light, Reflected in the Pond of Monet’s Water Lilies (retrieved 27th May, 2011) http://blogs.princeton.edu/wri152-3/kgoss/
Chuck Close (1998). http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/1998/close/
Chuck Close (2011). http://metroartwork.com/chuck-close-biography-artwork-m-59.html
Chuck Close (2000-2001) http://www.worcesterart.org/Exhibitions/Past/close.html
Chuck Close (December 31, 2006) http://chuckclosegallery.blogspot.com/
Claude Oscar Monet (30 Sept, 2006.)
Simkus,J.(2010). Modern impressions. Arts and activities, 148(3) 34-5.
Mason, B. (2009). How grandma’s crochet inspired my artistic vision. Art newspaper, 18(44).
White Cube - Chuck Close (2011)
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