Assignment #2: Elements of Design

The Italian painting “Gian Federico Madruzzo”, shows the use of many different lines both horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines when portraying the creases of the clothing, along with the wall and floor structure. More importantly the painting uses implied/directional lines. The directional line from the arm down to the hand directs the eye to the foot which then directs the eye to the dog. The artist uses neutral colors throughout the painting, in the figures clothing and in the ground. The eye-catching red curtain sets off the center of the picture by bringing your attention to the right of the painting. The artist used a warm, primary color such as red to add some light and contrast to the painting. Because the curtain is a warmer hue it creates an illusion of a larger size. This painting is a portrait because it seems as if the subject is standing and posing for the painting.


This second painting is also an Italian painting, “Cardinal Bandinello Sauli, His Secretary, and Two Geographers”. This painting uses implied lines as well horizontal and vertical lines. The vertical and horizontal lines are shown in the creases in the clothing and the strokes of paint on the walls. The implied lines are the Cardinal’s arm positioning. The arm resting on the table points your attention to the bell which may have been overlooked if the artists would not have used the implied lines to attract the eyes. The other hand simulates the eyes to the legs which makes the eyes follow the lines and creases of the legs down until you see a spec of brown which seems to be a fly. In this painting the use of colors also compliments the painting as well but in a more detailed way. While looking at the painting you see that the artist used complimentary color harmonies. The main figure in the painting is the Cardinal which is in red and up against the green ground (wall). The use of these two colors creates a complementary scheme. Because the red is directly placed atop the green, it creates a more intense hue. This painting also has a strong use for the warm, primary color red but it is used as a sort of symbolic color. It seems as if the artist used the color red as a symbol of importance. The painting is a portrait of Cardinal Bandinello Sauli, His Secretary, and Two Geographers. The warm hue red is portrayed on the Cardinal, his secretary, the Cardinal’s chair, as well as the table. The artist chose this color because he wants the important things to stand out in the portrait. Notice the Cardinal’s shade of red is much more intense and bright because he has more importance than the others. When portraying the two geographers the artist used very neutral colors almost as if to blend them into the dark shaded green background.