Walking through the Amon G. Carter Museum last week, this painting immediately caught my eye because of the colors used by Duncanson. I was drawn to this painting because the tones remind me of my favorite place to be outdoors: Monteagle, Tennessee. Frequently when we are hiking through parts of the Cumberland Plateau, we are surrounded by similar colors: deep forest greens, dusty browns, the light gray of clouds, and the bright sky blue.
Although the first thing that struck me was the familiar colors, the second was the scale. Before I even noticed the tiny people, I was already overwhelmed by the height at which the caves stood. The terrain looks rocky and steep, except for the path that seems to have been worn down, assumedly by the people in the painting, leading to the caves. Dr. Williams had to actually point out the figures in the painting. At first I was assuming they were tiny woodland creatures, just because of how small they were. When you take into account the scale of the people, the size of the caves is that much more stunning.
The painting on the whole is not bright and colorful, but the artist does seem to create some sort of ethereal lighting (which would fit with the style of painting at the time) that looks as though it is going to creep around the corner of the caves on the right. I love the effect this mysterious luminosity has on the painting as a whole. It makes the scene feel more alive. Looking at it, one feels like the sun is about to burst through and illuminate the figures, who all seem to simply be doing everyday tasks.
Although we did not get to see as many landscapes as originally anticipated, I am so grateful that we went to the museum! I grew up being "dragged" to museums by my parents, who always enjoyed them more than myself. However, I am starting to reach a point where I truly enjoy seeing the gifts that other people have, especially for art, a skill I am not particularly gifted in. I love seeing how nature is captured by different artists, and hope to go back to the museum once the renovations are complete.
Although the first thing that struck me was the familiar colors, the second was the scale. Before I even noticed the tiny people, I was already overwhelmed by the height at which the caves stood. The terrain looks rocky and steep, except for the path that seems to have been worn down, assumedly by the people in the painting, leading to the caves. Dr. Williams had to actually point out the figures in the painting. At first I was assuming they were tiny woodland creatures, just because of how small they were. When you take into account the scale of the people, the size of the caves is that much more stunning.
The painting on the whole is not bright and colorful, but the artist does seem to create some sort of ethereal lighting (which would fit with the style of painting at the time) that looks as though it is going to creep around the corner of the caves on the right. I love the effect this mysterious luminosity has on the painting as a whole. It makes the scene feel more alive. Looking at it, one feels like the sun is about to burst through and illuminate the figures, who all seem to simply be doing everyday tasks.
Although we did not get to see as many landscapes as originally anticipated, I am so grateful that we went to the museum! I grew up being "dragged" to museums by my parents, who always enjoyed them more than myself. However, I am starting to reach a point where I truly enjoy seeing the gifts that other people have, especially for art, a skill I am not particularly gifted in. I love seeing how nature is captured by different artists, and hope to go back to the museum once the renovations are complete.
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