THE MOON: BEYOND

PLACE AND TIME

SELECTIONS FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM

BY: DAVID RIOS

A Cornfield by Moonlight with the Evening Star

Artist: Samuel

Palmer

Origin: England

Date: Around AD

1830

Medium: Watercolor

with bodycolour,

Pen and ink

Measurements:

Height 197mm

Width 258mm

• In A Cornfield by Moonlight with the Evening Star, Samuel Palmer incorporates visual elements such as line and space to emphasize a peaceful scene. For example, in this image, line serves a variety of purposes. The technique of hatching is evident in the night sky to indicates its depth. Also, lines emerging from the moon suggest direction in the moonlight as it travels to the lower right of the painting. Furthermore, contour lines outline the organic shapes of the shepherd and his crops while darker lines illustrate their shadows. Overall, the use of line in this piece of art is used to illustrate a natural and calm process where the moon slowly climbs the dark night sky and casts its light on the landscape. In regards to space, the artist employs aerial perspective through the effect of a brightness gradient. As the objects become more distant, their intensity lessens. This is evident when comparing the lighter orange of the shapes in the foreground to the black and brown of the hills in the background. As a result, we are presented with a scene that appears to illustrate a lot of space.

The Sun, the

Moon, and a

Basilisk

Artist: Albrecht Durer

Origin: Germany

Date: AD 1512

Medium: Drawing

Measurements: Height

188mm

Width 86mm

• In the Sun, the Moon, and a Basilisk, Albrecht Durer includes artistic

techniques that emphasize the importance of the figures to each other.

For example, through their placement, Durer is able to incorporate

implied lines into the drawings that form a triangle. As a result, there

is a suggested connection between the three figures. Furthermore, the

scales of the objects are relatively similar, indicating that they are

equally relevant in this piece . It is important to highlight the unity of

these symbols because according to the British Museum, together they

represent eternity. As a result, this piece is also an example of

iconography

The Rising Moon

Artist: Samuel Palmer

Origin: London

Date: AD 1855-1857

Medium: Etching

Measurements: Height 14.5cm Width 22.4cm

• In The Rising Moon, Samuel Palmer introduces a familiar scene as the moon rises over the hills while a shepherd observes. However, Palmer resorts to different techniques to communicate the serenity and beauty of the scene. A main visual element present in the artwork is the use of chiaroscuro. Though this method, Palmer gradually shifts from light to dark though a successive graduation of tones. As a result, the value contrasts allow the figures of the shepherd and his flock of sheep to present a three dimensional appearance. Furthermore, the value contrast allows the audience to distinguish the figures from the background. Overall, the use of chiaroscuro gives the artwork a soft and smooth presentation. On the other hand, in order to present space, Palmer use relative size to create the illusion of three dimensionality. For instance, the sheep in the foreground appear larger because they are closer to the viewer while the building in the distance appears smaller. Though chiaroscuro and relative size, we are introduced into a grand scene where the moon shyly rises and illuminates the area.

CAMEOCameo is an engraving that does not only resemble the moon but also shares characteristics with it. For example, it occupies three dimensional space and therefore possesses actual mass. Furthermore, it demonstrates asymmetrical balance as the crescent shift more weight to one side of the moon. In addition, this selection exhibits distortion of scale as we are presented with a challenge to our established ideas of scale. Is the moon the size of a face, or is a face the size of a moon?

Artist: UnknownOrigin: EuropeDate: 17th CenturyMedium: EngraveMeasurements: Diameter .7in

WHY THESE PIECES OF ART?

• I selected these works of art because I was interested in the portrayal of the moon in different times and places. I was pleased to learn that it was an important symbol for peacefulness, eternity, and nature. The last piece of art also was also interesting as it presented the moon with human-like aspects. Overall, I was amazed at the amount of artistic techniques the artists used to communicate their ideas.

• For my gallery, I would introduce the audience to the theme by presenting them with the artwork of Samuel Palmer which illustrates serenity and beauty. I would the challenge the visitors to interpret the works of art where the moon presents facial features.

ART GALLERY

A Cornfield by Moonlight with the Evening Star

• The Sun, the Moon, and

a Basilisk

The Rising Moon

• Cameo

Entrance