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"The
only way to understand painting is to go and look at it.
And if out of a million visitors there is even one to
whom art means something, that is enough to justify
museums"
~
Pierre Auguste Renoir
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The
following are some of the traditional topics that were
often incorporated into paintings which used 'allegory'
as an underlying theme. This is an interesting topic for
study and one worth researching.
-The
Virtues; charity, faith, hope, fortitude, chastity,
etc.
-The
Five senses; touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing.
-The
arts; music, dance, poetry, painting,
-The
temperaments; humor, sadness, happiness, discord.
-Vanitas;
beauty, ambition, human destiny, earthly pleasures and
positions, riches, pride, vanity etc.
-The
Vices of human nature; jealousy, fraud, lust, wrath,
envy, greed, sloth, etc.
-Fortune;
destiny, chance, fate, luck, misfortune etc.
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Neadeen
Masters CDA - Country Carousel Art©
Allegory
and Symbolism
The painting
below is from one of my lesson's in Module D of the Traditions
Education Program. The lesson is an introduction to another
aspect of painting. The 'intellectual' side... The still life
painting below is called... "An Artist's point of View."
 ©06
About Allegory
and Symbolism
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In recent
years we have seen our world of Decorative Painting drawn
closer to the world of Traditional Fine Art. As the lines
between the two become less defined, artists are showing
equal interest in learning and sharing their appreciation
for both. Every artist, regardless of the period in history
will approach the canvas differently. Some make simple
statements like the ‘folk artists’ we have studied for years
and others will press for another deeper appreciation for
their painting. Some paint for us to enjoy the simple beauty
of the subject, while another artist may choose to go behind
the layers of paint to touch us on a different level and
their paintings might be designed to provoke a more personal
interpretation.
Though the complexity of each message can vary, as seen in
the ‘stories’ associated with folk art, the purpose is still
to change the way we view paintings. We have seen the use of
symbolism in several of the traditional stroke and folk art
designs that are taught throughout our painting communities.
Often depicted through the use of certain colors and lines,
specific elements are used to tie cultures and history
together through folk art. This article is presented as an
exercise intended to explain the thought process used to
create a painting steeped in symbolic meaning.
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Allegory
and Symbolism has been used by artists since the
beginning of time. Symbols are often used to represent
or refer to an ‘abstract’ concept instead of a ‘literal’
meaning, this leads to a wider interpretation of the implied
ideas. Sigmund Freud said that “symbols are not the
creations of mind, but rather are distinct capacities within
the mind to hold a distinct piece of information.” As we
decode these symbols the human mind finds ways to link our
own ideas with the objects that are used. Our initial
reaction comes not only from the basic information of the
painting, but if we take time to experience the whole story
of the painting; our imaginations awaken. This leads to the
physical feeling of emotion while admiring the painting. It
is our imagination which allows us to interact with objects
in the composition, resulting in our emotional response.
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In the painting
above, I wanted you the viewer or artist to claim the meaning
for yourself. Look at each object used in the composition to
evoke your own response.
When creating this painting, I chose to explore and reflect on
these traditional methods of communication and use symbolism and
allegory as my creative guide and ‘tool’. Below are some of the
references used in the painting. Please read on....
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The
Hyacinth Macaw (the blue bird) - represents artistic
chatter and the human soul of the artist. |
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Shape - I used the
overall 'pyramid' shape of this composition, (look closely
to see the triangular shape of the composition) to suggest
another more abstract meaning. I placed the macaw which is
representing the artist in this case, at the top of the
pyramid and the artist’s wooden palette in the
traditional position at the bottom of the pyramid. Only now
this lower position is respectfully used to imply that all
artists start out as the novice artist. They begin their
journey at the lower end of the knowledge scale. Through
continuous effort, hard work and perseverance, suggested by
the leather bound books, they slowly rise to the top of the
pyramid where their knowledge, not wealth provides them with
the power to rule over their canvas, palette and brushes. |
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The
Hyacinth Macaw is perched on the lid of the large ‘Urn’
shaped container. The Urn, symbolic of immortality is
commonly used to contain ashes. Here the Urn represents many
things, but most of all the life of the artist and holds the
compilation of all the knowledge gathered and accumulated
from our artistic experiences. This urn is symbolic of the
whole journey as well as the artist’s life. It represents
the immortality of the artists work. It is from this well of
knowledge that we build the artistic experience in an effort
to leave a legacy which makes the artist work immortal.
Hopefully the work will live on for future generations to
enjoy. |
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The
Windmill situated on the horizon is symbolic of the
Netherlands and makes reference to the Grand Masters of the
Dutch Era of painting. The windmill on the horizon is also
symbolic of the wheels that are constantly turning,
resulting in the creative energy and unending ideas which
encourage the artist to experiment and create, to inspire as
well as be inspired. The expanded meaning behind the use of
the seascape is the symbolic use of water. Water has
invigorating properties which have the capacity to refresh
and motivate. Water has its own life giving energy. It also
acts like a mirror reflecting the influence of the earlier
Masters onto us. |
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 The
Feather – All artists who paint from their heart leave
something of themselves behind. Their passion and love for
painting makes art part of who they are. The single loose
feather in this painting represents the heart of the artist,
lending special meaning to the painting. The artist ‘style’
or approach will become their personal signature.
There is so
much more to the explanations behind this painting.
The complete painting instructions, step by step
descriptions and line drawings etc. will be coming out in
DVD in 2006. please contact me if you are interested in
purchasing the study series of DVD's for this painting.
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Some Suggested
Reading
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'How to
read a Painting' - Patrick De Rynck ISBN -
0-8109-5576-8 |
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'Symbols
and Allegories in Art' ---- ISBN 0-89236-818-7
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New articles
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added Sept 12 - '06
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The cross - This is symbolic of the axis of
the world.
- An Angel - This
figure symbolizes a protective presence or God's
messenger.
- A Forest -
This grove of trees represents the regenerative ability
of nature and also of the unknown.
- A Garden -
This represents man's attempt in ordering of nature.
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Books
and Paintbrushes - often symbolize the vanity of
pleasure and knowledge.
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