Art a' la Ava

    From the Hudson River school, the oil painting on the left is by Thomas Cole, titled The Oxbow , was painted in Massachusetts in 1836. The oil painting on the right is done by Asher Brown Durand titled, The Beaches, I do not know where it was painted but both currently reside in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.   Both paintings carry a naturalist tone but are placed in a realism form, seen in how nature is the main subject of the paintings.   In the left painting, the darker tones are brought forward while the lighter colors are in the mid and background. This adds to the feeling of the painting when we look at the background behind it. Thomas had a friend, Reed, who was a valued customer. During Thomas's time working on another piece for Reed, he became depressed which is why Reed told him to pause and do another piece that he valued. This is where we get The Oxbow, I think there is value in relation to life in how the colors are placed as the dark tones move out of

Judith and Holofernes (c. 1620-1621)  Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy by:  Artemisia Gentileschi Background:      Painted by an Italian female painter who represents a biblical story of Judith killing an Assyrian general. The story says the general was going to conquer Judith's homeland. She responded by getting dressed up and having dinner with him. He then drank so much that Judith and her maidservant Abra could work together and dismiss the threat. If you follow the link you will find more about how Artemisia related this painting to a personal experience of being raped by a former art teacher. The medium is oil paint on canvas and the technique is impeccable!  Observations:    At first glance, it is apparent that this is a Baroque work of art due to the clarity, and tenebrism. I appreciate how the figures overlap creating an intimacy that draws my eye straight to the blade that cuts Holofernes neck. This is a very intense painting filled with a feeling of urgency and despair. I