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.example of this.It is a combination of lines that instantly rivets the attention, and has probably a more powerful effect upon themind quite apart from anything symbolised by it than any other simple combinations that could have been devised.Howpowerful is the effect of a vertical figure, or even a post, seen cutting the long horizontal line of the horizon on the sea-shore.Or atelegraph post by the side of the road, seen against the long horizontal line of a hill at sunset.The look of power given by thevertical lines of a contracted brow is due to the same cause.The vertical furrows of the brow continuing the lines of the nose, makea continuous vertical which the horizontal lines of the brow cross (see Fig.A in the illustration).The same cause gives the profile apowerful look when the eyebrows make a horizontal line contrasting with the vertical line of the forehead (Fig.B).Everybodyknows the look of power associated with a square brow: it is not that the square forehead gives the look of a larger brain capacity,for if the forehead protrudes in a curved line, as at C, the look of power is lost, although there is obviously more room for brains.157159This power of the right angle is well exemplified in Watts' "Love and Death," here reproduced, page 158 [Transcribers Note: PlateXXXV].In this noble composition, in the writer's opinion one of the most sublime expressions produced by nineteenth-century art,the irresistible power and majesty of the slowly advancing figure of Death is largely due to the right angle felt through the pose.Not getting it in the contour, Watts has boldly introduced it by means of shading the farther arm and insisting on the light upperedge of the outstretched arm and hand, while losing somewhat the, outline of the head beyond.Note also the look of power theinsistence on square forms in the drapery gives this figure.The expression is still further emphasised by the hard square forms ofthe steps, and particularly by the strong horizontal line of the first step so insisted on, at right angles to the vertical stand of thefigure; and also the upright lines of the doorway above.In contrast with the awful sublimity of this figure of Death, how touchingis the expression of the little figure of Love, trying vainly to stop the inevitable advance.And this expression is due to the curvedlines on which the action of the figure is hung, and the soft undulating forms of its modelling.Whereas the figure of Death is allsquare lines and flat crisp planes, the whole hanging on a dramatic right angle; this figure is all subtle fullness both of contour andmodelling melting one into the other, the whole hung upon a rich full curve starting at the standing foot of the advancing figure.And whereas the expression of Death is supported and emphasised by the hard, square forms and texture of the stone steps, theexpression of Love is supported and emphasised by the rounded forms and soft texture of the clustering roses.On this contrast ofline and form, so in sympathy with the profound sentiment to which this picture owes its origin, the expressive power of thiscomposition will be found to depend.Diagram XIII.http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14264/14264-h/14264-h.htm (73 of 147)3/9/2006 11:03:42 PMThe Project Gutenberg eBook of The Practice & Science Of Drawing, by Harold Speed.ILLUSTRATING SOME OF THE LINES ON WHICH THE RHYTHMIC POWER OF THIS PICTURE DEPENDS.Plate XXXV.LOVE AND DEATH.BY G.F.WATTSA noble composition, founded on the power of the right angle in the figure of Death, in contrast with the curved lines in the figure ofLove.(See diagram opposite.)Photo HollyerIn the diagram accompanying the reproduction of this picture I have tried to indicate in diagrammatical form some of the chieflines of its anatomy.In these diagrams of the anatomy of compositions the lines selected are not always very obvious in the originals and are justlymuch broken into by truths of natural appearance.But an emotional significance depending on some arrangement of abstract linesis to be found underlying the expression in every good picture, carefully hidden as it is by all great artists [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]