There are a couple elements that help pull this painting together. The first element that stands out is the narrative that the artist is trying to portray. A key figure to piecing together the story that is trying to be told is way that the horse is positioned shows that the woman, child, and horse are in a type of canyon, but also the slight incline leads the viewer to determine the three figures are on climbing a hill. As well as a woman her child riding a horse, presumably on a trail which in my opinion this painting tells a story of a woman on either a mission with her child or just riding around with her child. The second element that is shown is the different textures. If you pay attention to the skirt that the woman is wearing shows a fold and a distinct outline of where her leg is. As well as the different shades over the horse that shows all the colors of the horse and helps the different anatomical pieces of the horse. Along with the foreground that shows the different materials on the ground such as dirt, rock, and vegetation that helps signify what region this painting is based in. The third element that is shown in this piece is light and shadow. The variation in the ground that the horse is walking on is different from the ground behind the horse, woman, and child. It showcases that the horse, woman, and child, are on an elevated piece of ground which signifies that the three figures are on a hill or incline. Also, the light source that is not specifically added to the painting adds a depth effect to show what looks like the sun is setting and casting shadows on the mountains in the background. As well as showing that although the three figures are on an incline, they are lower than the mountains which leads the viewer to believe that because there are not shows around the horse, woman, or child, are in the shadow of a mountain that is not shown in the painting.
"Navajo Mother" by Maynard Dixon is a captivating piece of art that captures the essence of the Southwestern landscape as well as showcasing different art elements that contribute to this painting's impact. This is the main reason why I chose this painting, but I chose this piece for two other reasons. Reason #1: Dixon's paintings are one of my personal favorites due to the atmosphere of where the paintings are depicted in. Alot of Dixon's paintings from 1930-1946 take place in the "Wild West" but many of his wild west paintings, such as the one above take place in Utah or Arizona. Reason #2: I am very interested in the Southwestern art style and this painting depicts everything that feels like home to me. In the past I have used Maynard Dixon's paintings as references for my own paintings as the detail he includes in the mountains in the background.
Admin, W. (2017) Perspective: Maynard Dixon [1875-1946], Western Art & Architecture. Available at: https://westernartandarchitecture.com/articles/perspective-maynard-dixon-1875-1946 (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
Maynard Dixon: Biography (no date) Maynard Dixon Museum. Available at: https://www.maynarddixon.org/biography/ (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
.jpg)
Hi, Tracey. Your art analysis of this piece was very interesting, and I felt like it was spot on. It is obvious to me that you are an artist yourself by the way you describe these elements. I agree with you that the non-specified light source gives the impression that the sun is setting. It was the first thing I picked up on when I looked at it. Also, the way the mother is sitting is very relaxed and appears to me she is on a casual journey with her child, as you mentioned as one possibility. Her posture alone gives me a sense of calm when I look at it. My family and I visited Arizona and Utah for the first time last year. This artwork reminds me of our time at Monument Valley and in the different canyons. It definitely feels true to life. It is absolutely stunning, and Dixon really brings those landscapes to life.
ReplyDelete