2a: Paul Revere, 1768 by John Singleton Copley

Read 2a, Observations?
- What objects are included in this portrait? The subjects posture/body language/facial expression? What is emphasized? What is his clothing like?
- Paul Revere was a craftsman in a busy studio. How has Copely idealized the setting for this portrait?

Portrait Composition: basic concepts/symbolism/composition
-The Focal Point: where is your eye drawn first? How does it travel around the painting?-Lines convey emotions. Horizontal lines suggest a calm and quiet feeling. Vertical lines convey strength and grandeur. Diagonal lines express energy and motion and dominate dramatic compositions.

-Color: symbolism in colors varies by culture and time period. Here are some examples: Red: Excitement, danger, love, passion, the blood of Christ, Divine love, the Holy Spirit, courage, self-sacrifice, martyrdom, fire; sin. Yellow: The sun, the goodness of God, treasure in heaven, spiritual achievement. Green: Hope, victory, happiness and gaiety, springtime, youth, good humor. Blue: strength, wisdom, enduring loyalty, eternity, truth. Purple: Justice, royalty, suffering. White: Serenity, peace, purity, joy, faith, innocence. Black: death, evil, rebellion, sin. Brown: earthy, steadfast, healthy. Grey: dullness, sadness, ashes, old age. Silver: money, wealth. Gold: wealth, purification, the sun, the goodness of God, treasure.

-Different types of Composition provide clues into or reflect the nature of the subject matter:
Triangle / pyramid-Christianity equilateral triangle signifies the consummation, closure, accomplishment, completion, Trinity.-Symbolic representation of triad related with unity of man, woman and offspring- often found in paintings of Jesus and Mary, such as: Andrea del Sarto, Madonna in Glory and Saints; Leonardo's Virgin of the Rocks
Scales - Often found in paintings about justice, right v. wrong, balance, etc.-Quentin Massys, The Money Lender And His Wife
Circle The circle is a universal symbol signifying integrity, continuity, initial perfection, eternity. The circle is time that closes in itself space. It is absent of beginning and end. Signifies return, return movement, eternal movement, and finality. Also a symbol of God and sun.-Bertholet Flemal, Heliodorus Driven From The Temple
Cross Signifies cosmic axis, cosmic tree, archetypical human being, four directions - East, South, West, North. A symbol of creator, penalty for misdeed. A cross as a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece, is an emblem of Christianity, it is a salvation by Christ, delivering from sin or saving from evil, it is a symbol of suffering, hope, atonement.
Rays
S Curvature
Centered Rectangle
Zigzag
Waves
The Trident
Snail
Stairway
Rows
Diagonal

Homework: a) Look up your assigned form of composition, write a definition of it. b) Find a painting that uses this type of composition. c) How do you know this painting uses this type of composition? d) Print two copies of the painting (it should be over 800x600 pixels in size): on one of them, draw the basic form of the composition. Bring all these parts to class on Wednesday September 23.