SENIORS HOMEWORK: Degas or Vermeer? Who has the more lucid eye?
COMPLETE THIS FOR HOMEWORK TONIGHT, THURSDAY SEPT. 29. POST OR PRINT TO BRING TO CLASS ON FRIDAY.
The Milkmaid 1658-1660 Jan Vermeer oil on canvas
Which painting do you prefer? Why? How does the painting make you feel upon first glance? Try to talk about the painting in terms of its title, historical context, subject/theme, "story," characters, color, light/shading, composition/perspective, symbols, and tone.
If neither of these paintings appeal to you, choose another by Degas or Vermeer.
Let's try to write a good solid paragraph, focusing on any or many of the points of analysis that I've noted.
posted by JTF @ 10:02 PM
52 comments
52 Comments:
I prefer Vermeer to Degas. When I was in middle school, the more talented students had to take a class called creative enrichment and in this class we studied both Degas and Vermeer. Since I am not a dancer or really interested in dance, I find Degas paintings to be repetitive and boring. Sure this painting is beautiful but it doesn’t really strike much interest with me. Vermeer mostly portrayed common life, so again his paintings are somewhat boring. It’s ironic because his paintings are considered masterpieces but he paints ordinary things in life. The painting on the blog is another everyday type of activity. There isn’t a lot going on. But than again art really isn’t my thing.
After scrutinizing both paintings, I've came to a decision that the Vermeer "milkmaid" painting is what was more meaningfully appealing to my eyes. When I first compared both, I noticed that the Vermeer painting was far more clear than the Degas painting was. The milkmaid seems to have a stronger, centered meaning. When I look at it, it's so clear and beautiful. Even if it's just of a milkmaid doing an every day thing, the simplicity is far more complex than many may think. The more simple a painting is, the broader the range of complexity is. I feel as if the Vermeer painting has a stronger vibe to it than the Degas painting. When it comes to titles, both have very plain titles; "The Milkmaid" and "La classe de danse" (The dancing class). The Milkmaid was painted far earlier than "La classe de danse" was. Vermeer's painting is more old fashioned, historical wise, and the tone is content. It just looks like the milkmaid is doing her every day work of repetition. I can tell that this was back then when women didn't have many rights; besides staying in the kitchen and raising children, that is. The milkmaid displays independence and dedication. The colors used in this painting are bold, yet neutral in some way. The royal blue and golden yellow the milkmaid is wearing draws immediate attention to her as you view her content, yet perhaps hidden sadness within her as she continues to pour milk, and prepare yet another meal.
Even though both paintings are very beautiful I believe Edgar Degas painting clearly shows that he was a more lucid eye. The one thing I like about Degas’s painting is that even though there are a lot of things going on in that painting, you can see him centering in on the one ballerina that is performing at that time. At my first glance of Vermeer’s painting, I thought it was very bland and boring. During my first glimpse of Degas’s painting, I wondered why there were so many ballerinas in the painting. As I took a closer look I came to realize that the painting was showing one dancer performing and the other performers and their parents quietly watching and waiting their turn. I love how in Degas’s painting he did not use any type of bright coloring. He did a very good job of meshing everyone together as one and making no other person as important as the other. The one thing that did actually stand out is the old man in the middle of the painting. My first guess is that he would be just a dad to one of the dancers. As a think more about the painting, maybe he is the teacher for whom the dancers are performing for.
I prefer the painting of La Classe de Danse (The Dancing Class) by Degas over the painting of The Milkmaid by Vermeer. I think that Degas gives a more lucid eye, or clearer, approach to his art rather than Vermeer. The Degas shows a crystal clear replica of a dance class that would be of that time period in 1873. In this painting we see a group of girls listening to a male whom seems to be the teacher, which at this time is starting to become more common thanks to operas. This painting has many appealing features to the naked eye. When looking with a quick glance at this piece you move directly to the light shining through an unknown place. The way the shadowing is used in this painting you notice the light from an invisible source, but looking deeper into the picture through the mirror, you can see a window. This painting makes me think about how much hard work and intensity goes into dance. I realize through this piece that the pain, excitement and complexity on their faces are all explained. These minor details bring out the major emotions that make this painting alive. Because of these fine points by Degas you can hear the story becoming active. You want to reach out and comfort those in discomfort and cheer for the ones ecstatic, and you can not wait to see what the final performance turns out to be like. This art piece being viewed from the outside looking into the class is a great perspective. I think that is exactly what Degas wants us to see. Degas most definitely, as great artists do, adventured to the backstage area and studied up on what he wanted to paint; I feel like he showed a very detailed, yet subtle take on this class. With a quick glance around you can miss a lot in a scene, Degas looked with his eyes and felt with his heart to create this work of art with the clear picture of what it truly is.
I choose, and always will choose, the painting by Degas. As a viewer that is very interested in a familiar with the artistic process, I've developed a sort of taste in the approach to the subjects or subjects of a painting. As opposed to the Vermeer painting, Degas' dancers have a lovely sense of focus that leads you from one interesting area to another. The simplicity of the milkmaid can be admired for it's detail and message but realistically, in today's world, it's just not very interesting. The skill is worthy of praise but it does not relate to an audience looking for any sort of 'entertainment'. Degas' dancers have lovely sense of form and bend and create beautiful curves and colors that convey a sort of light, pretty tone. The skill and style in which the painting is done, however, brings a note of seriousness to the piece that does not put a damper on the mood. It rather just completes it, makes it genuine. Many skilled painters can add detail like a photograph and create a 'good' painting. It is also not very difficult to set up and interesting subject. The real distinction comes through style and artistic license. Degas shows this much more than Vermeer through the girl's exaggerated positions and the wide selection of colors that aren't quite as muted or bright as the lighting implies they would be. This tasteful artistic license brings the painting together and creates a more beautiful representation of life. Any painter can copy life down on a canvas, but it takes an artist to clearly see the beauty in the everyday and enhance it in such a realistic, universalizing way.
I like the Degas painting more than the Vermeer painting. At first glance, it is more pleasing to the eye because it uses brighter and lighter colors. The Degas painting creates a much more carefree manner and the Vermeer is kind of sullen. I also think that Degas is telling a better story than Vermeer, and it is even told in the titer. "La classe de danse". It is obvious that the picture was painted in the perspective as a dancer herself, or an outside party onlooking the class being instructed by the older man. It is an impressionist painting that is conveying the movement and beauty of the ballet, which was a very contemporary thing considering the time period it was painted. The Vermeer painting seems very boring and dull to me. It has little sense of action and is very lonely. I'd have to agree more with Uncle Quincy's artistic opinion instead of Jay.
The painting by Degas titled, La Classe de Danse appeals to me more than the other painting by Vermer. The painting depicts students after their ballet class being talked to by their instructor. All of the dancers look tired. The dancers are stretching, scratching their backs and some look like they want to go to sleep as the instructor is talking to them. This reminds me of after my swim practice, most people are doing the same thing. Upon first glance the painting just looks like a normal ballet class, but then you see the little dog(or cat) in the corner and the water canister as well.
This painting is also has more light to it than the other painting, which seemed dark. The floorboards show good perspective from the view that we have. For me, the painting gives off a tone of happiness, the dancers have just finished a hard class and are ready to go. The historical context for this painting is that Degas used to love to go to the opera and watch the dancers. So he painted a lot of works that depict dancers. This is one of many by Degas.
I personally prefer the painting “the Dancing Class” by Degas because upon first glance it makes me feel like I’m watching an expense ballet production that you can’t take your eyes off of. I have never taken a ballet lesson in my life and I don’t have any friends who dance but for some reason I’ve always been interested in this type of dancing because of how delicate the girls make it seem and how pleasing it is to the eye. My favorite part about this painting in the old man standing in the middle of the room leaning on his walking stick. He’s standing there giving off this sense of “Good job ladies” or that he owns the room. For some reason he catches my eye more than the dancer in the corner of the painting. Also, when you look at the dancer in the corner her bow matches the color of the walls so it kind of ties the entire painting together and makes it all flow together as one. Even though there are multiple dancers within this one painting they all have unique characteristics of their own. Every girl has their own bow, the girl on the piano looks like she’s singing or really enjoy what’s happening in the room, and the dancer in the corner is shielding her face giving off the impression that she’s “too good” to be there. Even though I’m not someone with an artistic eye, this painting stands out to me in it’s own unique way.
I prefer the Vermeer painting over the Degas painting. I like it so much because of the great detail that went into making this piece. The milk being pored out of the jug looks life like. The basket holding the bread looks so lifelike and even the bread looks unbelievable. He put so much detail into it. The little holes in the wall, and the basket on the ground. Nothing is pointless though, everything has a reason of being there. It sets the mood of the piece. For example the way the woman is dressed and the house is a little run down and the fact that nothing in the room is fancy. It gives the picture of a middle class woman. From a quick glance it looks like the woman is upset. Her face has practically no expression as she pours the milk. The detail of the lighting is good also. The light comes in and lights the walls. Once you get closer to the woman and farther from the window there are shadows. The title matches the painting. The title is the milkmaid. The way the woman is dressed gives you the impression that she is a servant. The blue robe she is wearing and the blue cloth on the table makes the bread on the table pop out and become more lively. Overall this is a magnificent painting
I prefer the Degas’ painting of the ballerinas. I prefer this painting to Vermeer’s painting because it has a brighter and more entertaining environment. Also Degas’ painting “La classe de danse” or “The Dancing Class” is more pleasing to the human eye then Vermeers’ “The Milkmaid”. “The Dancing Class” has a more joyful tone and is a brighter piece all together. The shading that is used in the Degas painting is light and welcoming. The painting makes me want to go visit the ballet class. The colors used are bland, but they play a key role in catching a person’s eye as they see the painting. However, there are few bright colors that draw your eye straight to one of the ballerinas. A symbol that is important in the painting is the male instructor in the middle of the piece. All the ballerinas’ directions are towards the instructor meaning that he is an important figure in the eyes of ballet. Also another symbol that is important are the ballerinas themselves. The ballerinas give a reason for you to want to participate in the lesson that the instructor is giving. Also the ballerinas look graceful and elegant, which also gives the piece almost a magical feel.
The painting that I prefer is the painting “La classe de danse” by Degas. Upon first glance, this painting gives me an all around good feeling. It comes across as light and breezy. This is probably because of the the colors that are used and the subject type. The colors are all light and airy and the ballerinas are surrounded by the pastel colors. The only dark colors that are used are for the minor details, and this gives the painting more dimension. “La classe de danse”, was constructed in the time period of 1873-1875, and I feel that it captures the time period. By looking at the painting, you can tell the time period and it is captured from the building to the clothes they are wearing. In a modern dance class, you would find the ballerinas wearing leotards, tights, and leg-warmers, whereas in this painting, they are dressed in large, frilly to-toes. The male instructor has a large cane and you can tell her is the instructor by his stance and the way all the dancers are surrounding him and focused on him. All around, this is a painting that is done in a graceful manner, from the colors to the movements of the ballerinas. I think that it symbolizes a ballerina altogether because of these graceful and dainty personalities of ballerinas.
I prefer the Degas painting compared to the Vermeer because the Degas jumps out and it more exciting then the Vermeer painting. There is much more going on in the Degas. The painting is very lighthearted and happy. The colors Degas used also present the picture as warm and light. The painting tells the story of a group of girls dancing and watching their instructor waiting for more instruction. It is as if the class has just begun and girl have started to warm up while others and still getting ready and are waiting for the class to begin. It is almost as if we were in the class with them watching them practice. The title of the painting tells exactly what is happening. La classe de danse, the dancing class. Overall this painting jumped out at me more because of its light, happy mood and because the painting had more of a story to tell.
After closely studying both Jan Vermeer and Edgar Degas’s paintings, I personally like Vermeer’s The Milkmaid painting the best. Upon first glance of this painting, I questioned myself if this was a photograph or an actual oil painting. It is absolutely amazing that the amount of detail this painting has. The detail of the clothes gives me a vivid idea of how the fabric actually looked back when this was painted. The light and shadow from the window is just about perfect. Without the light and dark contrast it would not bring out the realistic nature of the painting as it does. Also the perspective is used perfectly by using the technique of the vanishing point to make the painting look much more than 2 dimensional. The use of colors is very beautiful. One thing that stands out to me mostly is the brass or gold object hanging from the wall. It really makes it look like the light is brightly reflecting off of it. An unbelievable amount of time and dedication must have been put into this gorgeous work of art.
Out of the two paintings, I preferred The Milkmaid by Vermeer to The Dancing Class painting. Even at first glance, The Milkmaid appears more relatable, showing a woman working as opposed to children joyful in their dance class. The Milkmaid is less superficial, for instead of depicting pretty little dancing girls it shows a woman who has obviously had her share of a hard day. The colors and he lighting in The Dancing Class play up the tone of the airy, carefree feel this painting shows; while in The Milkmaid, the colors are bolder and there’s more shadow. In the painting of The Dancing Class there appears to be two girls sitting out, distraught and tired while class is still going on, while The Milkmaid shows a woman who is obviously worn out, but it still doing her job. The Milkmaid is more relatable because of this, for many would consider it a waste of time and money to sign up for a class they aren’t even getting the full benefits from, while the maid has to persevere to get through a day of work that she is required to do. Overall, I prefer The Milkmaid because it shows a realistic depiction of a working woman.
Degas has such a gentle tone to his paintings. The coloring is all pastels, his subjects are light, and his paintings have a liveliness that not many can match. While I admire Vermeer, I prefer Degas because of these qualities. His paintings make me feel happy, as if their light colors are lifting my very soul from the depths of a bad day. The painting, La Classe de Danse gives me this feeling. Maybe it’s the way that even the textures of the tulle tutus are painted to a likeness, or the way that not every ballerina is smiling or poised for a portrait, but this painting just gives me a sense of what art really is. The dance instructor standing in the middle, leaning on his/her (I can’t tell which) walking stick, probably instructing the girls on how to properly pirouette adds to the reality of this painting: it legitimately has the qualities of a photograph in all its detail. The tone is light and airy to the viewer-because of the color scheme, most likely-but upon a closer look, it’s easy to see that the instructor is making these girls work hard. I like this, because it has a duality to it.
I admire Degas’ La classe de danse more than Vermeer’s Milkmaid. My favorite thing about La classe de danse is that it isn’t of anyone posing or any landscape but about a real life event. The people in the picture are all going about their business, one person is teaching, a few girls are watching, and the rest are dancing. Degas captured the feel and atmosphere of that classroom and put it on a canvas for everyone else to see and relate to. The painting makes me think about dance classes I have had and how they functioned very similarly to the one depicted in his painting. I especially like the colors he used and how bright he made the room look. I don’t think there is any underlining message or meaning but I think the subject and theme have to do with the dancers taking instructions to learn how to become better dancers and that watching others can help improve your own skills. I don’t think this painting has any complexities to it but rather just depicts a normal dance class. You can tell the teacher/instructor is probably upset by the way he is standing. You can also tell that some of the girls are tired because they are sitting down or fanning themselves. This painting probably just reflects a regular dance class where the instructor taught a new routine to the girls and they have been practicing it over and over again. The instructor is probably disappointed and now is breaking the girls up into groups to help them really focus on the dance. The tone at first glance is one of happiness and pretty dancers having a good time. As you look loser you can see that the tone is a little more solemn. Everyone is focused and watching the few girls dance. In the end, I may just like Degas’ painting more because I can relate to it but I also believe there is more depth and character to it. At first glance it’s a pretty painting, but as you look closer you can feel the real emotion of the painting.
“The Dancing Class” by Degas is my definite favorite of the two paintings. While there is a lot going on, it does not in any way seem chaotic and it is easy to focus on not only the bigger picture, but also the smaller details. The title of the painting helps to clarify what is going on; if I hadn’t known the painting, it might have taken me a few minutes to process what exactly was going on. The painting calls to me on a personal level, because I was a dancer for almost 7 years. The white of the girls’ dresses allows the colors of the ribbons around them to pop out at you, and off-set the colors of the walls and the floors. It does not seem as vibrant and almost painful as the painting by Vermeer does. The tone appears to be happy, peaceful, as watching ballets usually make people feel. The details in the painting cause you to look more closely at all of the different subjects, at the expressions on their faces and the way they are holding their bodies. It is very lifelike and realistic, as I would know from my dance years. It spoke to me a lot more than the painting by Vermeer did!
I prefer the painting, “The Dancing Class” by Degas when I look at both of them next to each other. Degas’ seemed to pop out more because of everything that’s going on and the movement you can see that feels like it’s actually happening. The subtle greens, beiges, and whites fit very well in this painting which looks like it was many years back in 1870’s when this was painted. When Degas painted it, it was a modern dance room which now looks like it was from a long time ago. I like how all of the girls have their hair pulled back into buns and their tutu’s and ballet slippers on. The girls that are clearly dancing are synchronized and following one head dancer who’s in the front with a baby blue bow. Each dancer has a different colored bow on them each being a unique color. The old guy standing in the middle leaning agasint his cane seems to be observing the dancers as they dance. He stands out the most in this painting because he’s the only guy and right in the middle of everyone. This dancing room they’re in definitely shows how dated this is and that it’s not from this era. I feel like when I looked at this it took me a little to figure out what’s going on and what the people were doing. It’s not clear and obvious what’s going on until you look hard anda figure it out. “The Dancing Class” makes you feel like you know what music was playing and how they were dancing back then in that very room.
I feel that Vermeer has the more lucid eye when it comes to attention to detail. Even though Degas' painting is much more busy and has a lot more to take in, Vermeer's painting pays attention to details more so that Degas'. Also Vermeer uses shadow more dramatically that Degas', whose painting changes lighting if there is any change in lighting. Regressing to the business of the painting, Vermeer has a simple maid surronded by vivid foods, colors, textures, and curves that are so fluid. all of these are brought together by a simple but effective backround with bits and pieces of dirt, dust and debree that show the character of the setting.
I like The Milkmaid by Vermeer better than The Dancing Class by Degas. I like the expression of the milkmaid. Although she does not look happy, she also does not look very sad to be working. She looks like she takes pride in her work and is very careful not to mess up at all. In contrast you cannot see the expressions on the people’s faces in Degas’ painting very well. Degas’ painting does not give me the same feeling of determination and hard work that Vermeer’s does. I also do not understand Degas’ painting. While I know the man in the middle must be the teacher, he seems to take away something from the rest of the painting. I also do not understand why there is a dog by the girl’s leg who is closest to the painter. Vermeer also uses lighting to his advantage to show the mood of the milkmaid. Vermeer also captures a more everyday kind of image. Many people in older times, and more modern times too, can relate to the milkmaid. She is working hard to prepare food and milk and in cramped, slightly dark conditions. The ballet girls in those days would only be the daughters of rich men. Most common folk would not be able to relate to this very well.
I prefer the Edgar Degas painting La classe de danse better than the Jan Vermeer painting the milkmaid. I like the look of the ballet/point dancers better than a woman pouring milk. At first glance I see beautiful young dancers in a dance rehearsal. I feel as if I could stare at the picture all day and look at little things a put a story of the picture together. I like how all the girls are wearing white outfits with a different color bow. After looking at the picture I noticed there was a dog by the girls foot. I like this picture better because there are more colors that work into the little details, whereas the milkmaid as solid colors with not as intricate as Degas.
I stare at the woman pouring milk out of the brown pitcher. Such a simple, everyday task but Vermeer’s picture leads me to want to find out more about her. I first look at her face and wonder what it could mean. It seems as though this was something she has done a million times before. I wonder who this woman was, where she is from, who her family is, how she is feeling at that moment. The painting provokes thought, which in my opinion, is a quality that all great works of art possess. His painting allows me to imagine all of the questions above. It allows me to paint a story in my head of who this woman was and what she was doing. I think Vermeer captures a certain expression in the Milkmaid’s face that makes this painting so interesting and captivating. The woman is someone who you can almost relate to because she appears to be right there. The background elements of the room only add to the realness of the picture. I truly admire the way Vermeer captured this moment and it’s amazing to me that this old picture will always live on and still provoke as much interest as it does.
I personally preferred the Degas painting over the Vermeer painting. At first glance I see what looks to me like a dance class set back a couple hundred years. I like this painting more than the other one because I can relate to this painting more, being as I was in dance classes for awhile. The "story" told in this painting is one of everyday life. The man in the painting looks like the instructor but also a professor which hints at the notion that you can learn while having fun and working. The girls all doing different things and having different postures shows it might be either the beginning or end of class where everyone is reluctant to start or finish up. The perspective shows the number of girls and how popular dance was and still is in society. How light the room is gives you a sense of a relaxed, happy atmosphere along with the girls’ posture. This is not how dance classes usually are for the most part they are uptight and stressful. There is so much detail in this painting most people may not notice if you do not know what a dance class can be like. For instance there is a dog in the painting and also a canteen to water plants which is not your typical everyday dance studio now. They are usually covered in mirrors and there is you, your class and the instructor not much other clutter besides your bags. This picture helps me imagine what a dance class back in the 1800s would be like.
I prefer “The Dancing Class” by Degas. I will say I’m a little biased. I’ve seen quite a few of Degas’ works and he’s one of my favorite artists. I really like the subject matter of this painting. The ballerinas are so feminine, poised, and beautiful. At first glance, this painting takes me back to when I was a little kid and I wanted to be a ballerina. I had the whole outfit, a leotard, tights, ballet slippers, and a pale pink tutu to match. When I look at this painting, I feel like I’m part of the dance class. I see the teacher to the right and all of the girls warming up and it makes me feel like I’m about to start doing all of the positions. It feels so realistic to me. The colors are subtle and more pastel, just like a ballerina would typically wear. As far as composition and the actual set up of the painting, it is very appealing to the eye. Your eye starts in that lower left hand corner and follows the ballerinas on a diagonal curve to the right side of the page and then down to the male instructor.
One of Vemeer’s famous paintings is called Girl With A Pearl Earring. The simplicity of this picture is what caught my eye. The backdrop is pitch black with what looks like a young girl posing for a camera. The lighting is focused on the girls face and she is turned to her left and all you can see is a dangly ball earring hanging off her face, hence the name of the portrait. When I look at this girl, one word that comes to my mind is innocence. She sits still looking at you with a soft, straight face. She looks so poised and casual, but yet she looks like she has something on her mind that she wants to say.
Personally, I prefer the Milkmaid painting by Vermeer. I like this painting because it is simple and makes me feel comfortable and content when I first look at it. I think that the other painting has too much confusion in it and I find it difficult to understand. When I look at the Milkmaid painting, it is easy to get an understanding of the mood and what the painter is portraying. You can instantly tell this painting is set in the old times because of outfit of the woman. The title, Milkmaid, also shows how old this painting is because milkmaids are not around in modern times anymore. Even though the colors of the painting are not very bright, their subtle tones express the soft look of the woman pouring milk. The sunlight projecting off the walls is a very prominent feature in the painting as well. The yellow shirt that the woman is wearing also helps to make her stick out in front of the deeper tones. I like how Vermeer uses a limited amount of colors in his painting because it helps to show the mere simplicity of his work. I think this Milkmaid is representing the role that woman played in that century. They were obliged to attend to all of the household duties. I think Vermeer did a good job in depicting his artwork.
I prefer the oil painting “La Classe De Danse” (The Dancing Class) by Edgar Degas. I like this painting over the other simply because it looks more elegant and like more thought had been put into this painting. You can notice the little detail Degas must have put into this painting, and how much he admired the little things he added in. It’s more colorful than the other painting, and in my eyes, more lively. When I was scrolling down schoolsville looking for this post, I immediately drew my attention towards this painting. The painting brought back memories of when I had danced as a young child, and I remembered how much I loved dancing. So of course seeing an artwork designed around little girls dancing brought a smile to my face. I really admired the piece of art even more as I scanned the piece and noted about much hard work had gone into such an elaborate painting, especially given the time frame when it was painted. I believe the title “The Dancing Class” really does portray the artwork really well because it is painted around a dance class. The title may also mean more than what is really there. It seems as if the little girls and dance instructor are of a very wealthy background, given their nice attire and elaborate dance studio in which they are practicing in. So the title may really reveal a hidden social status since only the upper class is wealthy enough to have their girls attend this dance studio and can be considered the “dancing” class. I really admire the lighting in this piece of art as well. It brings out the bright and young colors of the girls dresses, and brightens the mood of the atmosphere in the painting. It seems as if the whole groups of girls are very calm, collected, and waiting patiently before it is their turn to perform or start class.
My favorite picture is the Milkmaid, i am usually one to pick out the pictures with alot going on and very abstract so im surprised how much i like this picture. It is a picture of a milkmaid, pouring milk into what looks like a bowl. When i look at this picture there is something almost earthy about it. The women looks so peaceful and serene just going about her day. The dark and light contrast, background adds too the earthy feel of the picture.But than there is the pop of color from the womens clothes. This picture just stands out to me. His play on colors and every detail from the wall to the bread and milk shows the beauty of simplicity. It shows that less is more.The table and bread and milk looks so real. The milk looks like its flowing out, and the bread is so detailed its almost as if i could see the flakes from the crust. When i look at this picture the first thing that pops into my mind is how is a picture with so much detail can be so simple looking? And how something so simple looking could be so beautiful? Also the woman's plain and withered face and broad figure was beautiful. The way her face is tilted down with the shadows almost concealing it gives me that earthy feel again. I cant explain it but the way she is so natural, calm looking is so refreshing. She looks so calm and motherly and welcoming and warm. Something about the whole setting is inviting. Everything about this picture portrays the beauty of the naturual and simple things in life.
The painting "La classe de danse" by Degas has much more appeal to me than the other painting "The Milkmaid" by Vermeer. For starters, it reminds me of my childhood just because I loved dance and pictures of ballerinas. There is much more going on in the Degas painting than the Vermeer painting. There are many personalities and looking at the picture almost makes it seem like I am a ballerina watching all of the other ballerinas. I can pick out every different ballerina he painted and imagine what their mood is at the time, and whether or not they like the male instructor in the middle. The girl to the far left with the yellow ribbon is slouching over and seems anxious to leave. The girl directly to the right of her has her hand on her hip and seems agitated by him. One girl in the very back even has her hands over her face. There seems to be only one girl who is really paying attention to him and following his instructions. Maybe all of the other girls are actually irritated with her because she is a perfectionist. There are many different approaches for this painting, and that is why I like it.
Out of the two pictures, the one that appeals to me the most is Jan Vermeer’s oil painting of The Milkmaid. I like this painting because it is a great depiction of what the woman in the late 1600s were held responsible for. She is serving the food, probably dinner for her family, which was a typical job for the woman of this time. The way that Vermeer depicted this was great. The painting looks so realistic, almost like a photograph. The way he used shading makes it look almost alive. Vermeer paid great attention to detail in this portrait as seen in the basket hanging on the wall, and on the molding down by the floor. Another thing with great detail in the shininess of pot hanging near the basket. When looking at this picture, I feel as if I am back in her time observing the way she does things. I feel that she is calm and serene. I've never really spent time to appreciate art before, but this portrait makes me want to look into some more of not only Vermeer's paintings, but others as well and see how beautiful they really are.
I prefer the Edgar Degas painting over the Jan Vermeer painting. I feel that the Edgar Degas painting is happier than the Jan Vermeer painting. The painting shows a green, well lit room with ballerinas about to start practice. The title, The Dancing Class, relates perfectly to this painting because it shows a group of dancers just before starting ballet class. The ballerinas are in giant tutus with different color bows. When Degas painted this work of art, girls were expected to be proper and well mannered. Ballet was believed to help a girl with her posture and with being graceful. The story portrayed in the painting includes the strict instructor standing in the center of the room. The artist conveys that the instructor is strict by his posture. He is also shown holding a cane which is probably to help the dancers perform the correct steps. In the picture, the room feels big because of the dimensions Degas used in painting the picture. The ballerinas are wearing tutus which look big and puffy. The perspective is that of a spectator to the class or one of the ballerinas. The tone of the painting is strict and serious because neither the ballerinas nor the instructor are smiling. In conclusion, the painting was beautiful when it was painted and is still viewed as beautiful art today.
When I look at both paintings, i automatically prefer one, La classe de danse by Edgar Degas. The painting is fun, playful, and bright. Although Degas did not necessarily use bright colors in the whole painting, the key lime walls stand out to my eyes. Also, he uses small accent colors in the dancers’ bows. This attracted my eye to the dancer in the foreground with a green bow on her tutu and a red bow in her hair. I also like the symmetry of the columns on the wall and the perspective of the room. When I see this painting, my mind comes up with it’s own story. I imagine the dancers anxiety as they prepare for a show. I imagine the man in the center of the room being loud and bossy. I imagine soft music playing and applause from the outside rooms. My favorite part of this painting is the dancers’ tutus. Degas’ skillful technique made them really come to life. I can see the tutus swirling with grace and fluffing with every move. I enjoy this painting so much because to me, it’s not just oil on canvas, its a story being told through color, perspective, and imagination.
I prefer the painting titled, “La classe de danse (The Dancing Class)” painted by Edgar Degas. I like it because at first glance it brings to mind an image of a classier time period. All the girls are dressed in elegant dancing gowns and all match, apart from individual colored bows. The girls all seem to be learning dance from an elderly instructor, who seems to be very wise in his old age. Despite the natural beauty displayed in the picture which gives a positive vibe, the characters look as if they are only taking part in class due to the social norms of the time and not because they all want to grow up to become dancers. This hints back to the time when children grew up according to the mold that parents made for them and not necessarily what they truly want to do. The painting is painted in light shading as to not cast a depressing tone over the picture. You can tell by observation that even if the girls did not want to be there, they would have to persevere because they live in a much more strict time compared to today’s standards. Overall, I would have to say I feel that Edgar Degas has more of a lucid eye as opposed to Jan Vermeer.
The painting I prefer the most is the Milkmaid by Jan Vermeer. I like this painting better than the other because it is very simple yet almost tells a story. When I first glanced at this picture it made me think of a Sunday morning after church and the milkmaid is preparing food. Back in the 17th century milkmaids were known for milking cows and preparing dairy. They were also lower class people who were hard workers. The way the painter portrays the young girls in this picture is very innocent and almost concentrated at what she is doing. Although she is concentrated, he still somehow displays a simplicity of the entire canvas. Everything around her seems to be old like the clothes she is draped in and also the small amounts of things that are hung from the wall. The coloring in this picture is unique because he painted her top yellow, yet the things around her were a little bit darker to display a simple relaxed look. In addition, he painted her face as if it were a porcelain doll that had been untouched and innocent. In general, I think Vermeer was trying to give off a serene kind of mood and display how lower class women and young girls had to work. Furthermore, the way he displayed her with her sleeves cuffed up and her hands dirty, showed that those kind of women were very strong and hard working.
I prefer La classe de danse (The Dancing Class) 1873-1875 Edgar Degas oil on canvas. This painting makes me feel happy upon first glance. It makes me feel light and fluffy, too, like I am floating on a cloud. The title itself is pretty blunt: The Dancing Class. It is very straightforward; there is no mystery behind it. The painting portrays a dance instructor and his students. A small, select group of them are dancing in the center. They appear to be very elegant and swift in their movements. They also seem very dedicated and determined. In the far right corner, scrunched in the back of the room are another group of girls. They look they are just casually sitting around, talking with one another. I see one that looks like she is standing on a bench with her hands covering her ears. Maybe she is singing to herself, maybe she is screaming. I will never know. I also see another girl who is standing facing the class. She is standing to the left of the instructor’s. She has blonde hair, and she is sulking. She might be doing an awkward dance move, but her arms are crossed. Then there are the two brunettes who are the first people I see when I glance at this painting. There is one girl who looks like she is sitting on a piano. She looks like she is moaning. She might be complaining about something. Maybe she hates dance class. Then there is the girl standing right in front. She isn’t directly centered, but she is a little off to the left side. Her hair is up with some red flower in her hair. She’s got the poof going on too, very volumous. I am under the impression that she is stuck up, snotty, a bit full of her self. The colors of this painting are very dull and washed out. There are a lot of earthly colors, such as tan, green, brown, pale yellow, baby blue, and red. The artist is very details. They used a lot of intricate shading techniques. You can see every tile of the floor, every crinkle in the instructor’s jacket, every frill of the dress. The artist also went into great detail on the frame of the mirror. I can’t really tell what exactly is going on in this picture. From quick glance, it just looks like any regular dance class. Students are dancing, and the instructor is instructing. However, if you look closely you see the students who are really determined and other students whining and complaining. The girls are all dressed up and so is the male instructor. Maybe they are preparing for a recital or something.
In my opinion “The Milkmaid” by Jan Vermeer has the paining with the more “Lucid Eye”. I prefer this paining because upon first glance it is soothing and warm feeling, it’s comforting to look at. The title of the oil painting is simple like the work it’s self, but defines the subject of the painting. In the mid 1600’s woman were the caretakers of the house; woman did the laundry, cooked, cleaned, and everything else around the house. The warm colors the woman is wearing signifies her as a motherly figure, warm and hospitable. The shading in the paining really brings out the warmth of the woman in the dull house, and gives more perspective on the task she’s doing, which is pouring the milk for a meal. She has a small meal of bread and milk out, which looks to me like the meal of a small lower class family. It just seems so much more relazing than the hectic paining of Degas.
I prefer The Milkmaid by Vermeer because it much more clear, all of the colors in it tend to stand out and it almost looks as if it could be a photograph. I think to be able to capture every one of those things in a painting takes a lot of skill. Plus, all the detail in the painting like the window, the woven basket on the wall, and the milk pouring out of the pitcher ever so realistically all tie into how much talent Vermeer possessed. Upon first glance the painting makes me feel kind of sad because here is this milkmaid who probably works every day for some rich family and she is probably making very little income. Not to mention the abuse she probably has to deal with being a servant to upper class people in the 1600s. The theme of this painting is a milkmaid who is apparently making bread pudding and the fact that she is hardworking is supposed to be perceived as romantic. One thing Vermeer really focuses on is the shading of colors for the shadow effect. If you look at the window closely, first you will notice the light seeming to shine through creating a shadow on the milkmaid’s face and also on the nail in the wall. Then, you will notice that one of the window panes is broken and more light is shining through that one than the others. On the floor behind the milkmaid is a small, box type thing which is actually a foot warmer. This foot warmer is believed to have symbolic meaning along with the tiles behind it which depict cupid. It was said that foot warmers were sometimes associated with a lover’s desire for constancy and caring and cupid ties into the love.
I prefer the painting by Degas. At first glance, the Degas picture caught my attention. It has more going on in it so you can look at it for a longer time and find more to analyze and think about within it. If I look at the Vermeer picture, there isn’t much else going on behind the main focus of the lady. Once I see what the main focus is, I see the plain background and can’t look much more into it. When I first look at the Degas picture however, it seems happier and more innocent because it shows a bunch of young ballerinas in a large hall. The lighting in this picture is not so dark and serious and all of the characters seem to have their own story within the main story of the dance class. The Vermeer picture of the milkmaid seems to be sadder. It has a more tiring feel to it because of the darker colors used. When I look hard enough, the milkmaid almost seems to be wearing a sad or tired expression. The milkmaid picture shows the struggles in life or the work that needs to be done and in the dance class picture I see more fun and leisure occurring. Although dance is hard work, people use dance as a hobby or past time. Overall, I find the ballerina picture to more interesting to look at.
In la clase de dance by degas, there are so many great and beautiful aspects of the painting. It's one of those paintings that you can't just look at once, or for a brief second and say "oh that's nice." The painting captivates me and pulls me in. When I look at it, I have to look at it for a long time. And when I do, I find new pieces in the painting I didn't see before. It's almost as if I'm trying to figure out the story of the whole painting, and each person in it. Each little part of the painting tells a piece of the story. For instance, the title of the story is the most obvious indicator of what's going on - a dance class. The clothing of the people in the class is very old fashioned and traditional, alluding to the fact that the time period Is definitely not modern day. Degas using shading and use of coloring in order to create images almost hidden in the entire painting. There are things you have to really look for in order to see. I imagine that what's going on is a dance lesson with many different ages combined; little, talkative girls, and older, mature girls. I imagine the dance teacher to be very strict and stern in his teaching (based only on the fact that he's old and has a cane,) but can also be very nice and comforting girls. Upon first looking at this picture, I feel inspired and Interested. I want to find out all of the details and that's what I like most about the painting. It captivates me.
I prefer The Milkmaid by Jan Vermeer out of the two paintings shown. I prefer it because it is more subtle but it stands out in its own ways and the attention to detail is very close so I feel like I can really get into the painting. The title of the painting can be seen through the painting itself because the woman in the picture reminds me of that Dutch girl with the blonde ponytails who is a brand for some beer, I can not recall it though. I feel as though this painting captures the type of lifestyle back in the 1600’s because one we don’t have milkmaids anymore they have been replaced with butlers and waiters and so on. With this painting I can really see myself there and in this milkmaid’s presence because of the vivid colors he uses on her dress and then the shadowing he does all around gives her that 3D effect. And the light is coming from the window and falls on everything I the room and its all going one direction so it gives it a more realistic look. As well as the bits of food on the table add to the effect because you can see the different divots and impressions made on the bread on the table which all add to the real life feeling. The character of the milkmaid in this painting to me looks as though she is just content with her duties, maybe somewhat sad she has to live like this and not be better off. I feel as though she is getting the table ready for her master or whoever the house belongs to and she has just brought up the milk and began pouring when she was captured in this painting.
In my opinion, I like the Degas painting more than the Vermeer painting. I think the Degas painting has a more lucid eye, the message is more clear. In this painting, you know exactly what is going on and you do not have to think hard to appreciate this work of art. The Degas painting is very classy and is more pleasing to the eye. I like how your eye is drawn to the dance teacher and it shows that the dancers have alot of respect for the teacher. The colors used in this painting make the dancers appear innocent which is often times associated with ballerinas. I think Vermeer painting is plain and does not really show anything important. Both paintings are beautiful but I perfer the Degas painting.
In my opinion Degas did a better job capturing the viewer’s attention in his painting then Vermeer. By him capturing my attention, it allowed me to become more interested in his painting then Vermeer’s. Upon first glance I was confused. Degas cleverly smeared his painting to show movement and action, which brought life to his work. By placing many similar looking girls around one unique looking man, Degas forced the viewer to close in on the main piece of his work. The man in the middle is depicted as a wealthier and older man. It looks like he could be the teacher of the class and the girls surrounding the members. Besides position color is another way Degas made the viewers main focus the man. He did this by dressing everyone in the room in all white, except the man in the middle who dressed in a darkish grey. I am guessing that Degas knew that the human eye attracts to contrast, and used this knowledge when picking the colors for his painting. By using these techniques Degas created an outstanding picture, which I appreciated very much.
I like the Degas painting better. I like the lighter cool colors and ballerinas tutus. I like how the old man’s stance indicates him as a tough instructor. This can also be seen through the solemn faces on the ballerinas. They do not look happy. I like the fact that the more you look at this picture more of the story is revealed. The ballerina with the red bow in her hair seems to have an attitude because her hand is on her hip almost impatiently. The ballerina next to her also seems to be a little impatient as she throws her head back with a sense of boredom. I like how the picture seems to be abstract but it also exhibits detail. There is detail in the way the instructor’s suit jacket hangs. Also detail is seen in the texture of the ballerinas’ tutus. More detail can be seen in the closest section of the painting. As the room goes further back, the detail in the ballerinas is less than that of the ballerinas on the other side of the room. I like this painting better because it displays a more carefree attitude than Vermeer’s. Vermeer’s painting seems more serious and detailed. It’s not as fun to look at.
I prefer the painting by Degas to Veneer. I like it because at first glance it looks like a happy painting but after examining it, it takes on a different meaning. I like the fact that it tricks the eye. The light colors make it seem like the girls should all be happy and laughing in their white tutus but none of them are happy… In fact none of them are even smiling. They are all straight faced and one girl seems to be complaining about something that she doesn’t like. The first thing my eye went to when I looked at it for the first time was the instructor. He reminds me of the guy in karate kid and he looks like he is very strict and puts the girls in their place. It reminds me of when I was younger and took ballet because I had a very strict teacher. That was probably the reason my sister and I quit after a month. I think I like Degas painting more than Veneers because of the colors. I like girly things and Degas painting is a lot more girly than Veneers. Veneers’ painting is very dark and ordinary while Degas’ is light and pretty.
My favorite painting is The Dancing Class by Edgar Degas. The picture has much life to it. The colors are very unique; your eye goes to the many different colors. Degas portrays a dance class, where the dancers seem to be listening to the dance instructor in the middle of the dance floor. One dancer either looks bored or upset, while another is in standing position listening intently. I also noticed that Degas put a small dog near one of the dancers’ feet. I didn’t notice this at first glance, but after scanning the picture, the small dog popped out. I also liked the colors of the walls; they showed some good lines in the painting. The pillars add good symmetry to the painting with the green walls in the background. The different colored ribbons also brought out some color to the picture. The light blue ribbon is my favorite. This painting overall caught my eye the most. Degas seems to have a more lucid eye, in my opinion. I really enjoyed this painting the most.
Both of these paintings are beautiful and created by two magnificent artists but I prefer the Degas painting to Vermeer's painting. I used to be a ballerina so of course I chose this painting. I've always liked impressionism. I like the look of impressionism. The lines are not all cleanly done some of it is rough. I prefer impressionism to realism which is another reason why I prefer Degas to Vermeer. Impressionistic paintings are ment to create emotion, and I feel that Degas' painting has done just that. Degas is a wonerful artist. I like his painting of the dance classw because it is much brighter and more colorful than the milkmaid painting by Vermeer. I also like Degas' painting because it creates a sense of movement. The ballerinas are all dancing in the painting while the instructor is creating rythm with the ruler in his hand. I also like that you can see the expressions on the girls' faces. Since I used to be a ballerina I know the pain you go through. Degas captured the pain in their faces. Both paintings are wonderful, but I like Degas's painting better.
From a quick glance at both paintings, I easily came to the conclusion that I like the Vermeer’s painting, “Milkmaid”, more than the Degas painting. The Degas painting was almost too clear and I could determine in a second what was going on in the painting. In the Vermeer painting, I had to study it a little longer and the woman just caught my eye. The use of rich colors in her attire and the shadows created in the room just made the painting more realistic for me. In the Degas painting, the ballerina’s seem tired and bored which made me feel bored. In the Vermeer painting the woman has a neutral facial expression, and just the way she is pouring the milk seems more lively to me. The woman pours the milk so gently like she is aiming for a hole the size of a needle. She reflects hard work and to me she comes across a strong. The woman’s face isn’t sad, but it I wonder what is going on in her mind. The detail used in the wall is perfect in my eyes. Every crack, stain, and hole really describes the type of home the woman is living in. The title, “Milkmaid”, is plain but it fits the painting. She is pouring the milk and is dressed like a maid. My only criticism is that the title gives the painting away. When I here “Milkmaid” I think of a woman who only pours milk; I’d like to think of someone who can do many things.
I like the painting done by Vermeer a lot more than the one done by Degas. There are many reasons for this but the main reason is that I like the colors used in Vermeer's painting a lot more and I think that they blend together very well. Another reason is that every single painting I saw that was done by Degas was of dancers. This kind of gets repetitive and boring after the first couple. It is also amazing how Vermeer takes something as common as a milk maid and turns it into a fantastic work of art. The colors and lighting techniques he uses makes the painting almost look real. Also when I look at Vermeer's painting I get almost a kind of dreamy feeling while looking at it. The painting is kind of surreal to me and I really like it.
I do not particularly like either of these paintings. I am not very interested in dancing so that might be why I do not like Degas' painting but I do not like Vermeer's for different reasons. It is too real. It shows something that everyone has experienced but does not want to experience again. That boring afternoon where you are doing something only because you have to and watch the sun set on yet another day. This maid is alone in a room doing tedious work that is obviously nothing to be happy about. I like art that you can relate to in a good way or in at least a way that means something. Like a song that reminds you of heartbreak I would enjoy more than a song that reminds me of a lazy afternoon just waiting for the day to end. I belive art is to show people that they are not alone. To show them that someone else has felt that same way that you are feeling right now. However, with this painting I do not really believe that how the artist or the subject is feeling is significant. In that respect I appreciate Degas more because he shows people performing something that they might like. The dance master definitely is doing what he wants to be doing and maybe the dancers are too but if they are not then it still makes you think. We have all felt something like that. That we were doing something that we did not exactly enjoy because our parents told us to or because it was expected of us. We have had that experience and we can relate to it. That is why I prefer Degas.
I prefer Degas over Vermeer. Degas seems to tell more of a story with his painting than Vermeer. There is more going on in Degas' painting, which can be a good and bad thing. However, in this case, i believe it is a good thing. The painting is structured. It's not just random things in random places. Things are placed in specific places. Every time i look at it, i see something i hadn't seen before. On first glade, the painting by Degas is brighter, more vivid, and happier. While Vermeer uses shadows and things of that sort better, it does not mean that his painting is better. Degas tells a story with his painting, while Vermeer simply presents a scene and challenges us to use our imagination. I do like the way Vermeer basically turns something normal into art. While Vermeer's painting is beautiful, I find Degas' more interesting to look at.
It is not a question of if Degas or Vermeer are excellent artists. Both are masters of their craft, but their art appeals to different types of people with their different styles. Personally, I prefer the paintings of Degas. Vermeer appears to be more talented in making more realistic looking paintings but for me it is just the same as a photograph. Where Vermeer paints pictures, Degas paints colors and feelings. Degas paintings make me feel something when I look at them I can feel the story behind them by looking at the colors and the subjects of the painting. It does get kind of old that he only paints ballerinas but I still think that even with his limited subjects that his paintings have more of an effect than Vermeer’s.
Strangely enough, I agree with Jay from The Lucid Eye in Silver Town. Vermeer’s painting of “The Milkmaid” was extraordinarily clear and crisp like a professional photograph. When I look at the painting, I can feel the emotions the milkmaid is expressing. And also the painting opens my eyes to the living style of the woman and the technology that was readily available. I also like the simplicity of the picture. In Degas’ picture there was lots of action and very busy. Also the painting’s brush stokes were not smooth and perfect like Vermeer’s.
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