Overview
This lesson explores how artists create the illusion of surface and depth in paintings, using examples from the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, and emphasizes the importance of close observation in art appreciation.
The Concept of Surface and Depth in Art
- Artists make choices to create paintings that feel deep like a window view or flat like a wall.
- Surface refers to the flat, two-dimensional quality of a painting.
- Depth is the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.
Techniques for Creating Depth
- Artists use color, light, shadow, and composition to suggest depth.
- Perspective and overlapping objects can make a scene look three-dimensional.
- Manipulating scale and placement helps guide the viewer’s perception of space.
Examples from Art Institute of Chicago
- Poussin’s Landscape with St. John on Patmos uses perspective and light to create depth.
- Harnett’s For Sunday’s Dinner employs trompe-l’oeil (optical illusion) to make objects appear real.
- Mondrian’s Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray emphasizes surface by focusing on flat color and shape.
The Role of Looking Closely
- Careful observation reveals the techniques artists use to suggest depth or emphasize surface.
- Everyone can develop skills to interpret art by analyzing visual elements.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Surface — The flat, physical top layer of a painting, focusing attention on patterns or textures.
- Depth — The visual effect making a flat image appear three-dimensional.
- Perspective — A technique to represent three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.
- Trompe-l’oeil — A painting method that tricks the eye into perceiving painted detail as real objects.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and compare the artworks: Poussin’s Landscape with St. John on Patmos, Harnett’s For Sunday’s Dinner, and Mondrian’s Lozenge Composition.
- Practice looking closely at paintings to identify surface and depth techniques.
- Explore related topics such as line, color, space, and texture in art.