Dog on a Leash is done by Giacomo Balla; It was painted in 1912. Its is oil on canvas measuring 35 3/8 by 43 1/4. This represents motion in painting at its finest. Notice how the dogs legs are painted in motion, the blur that is created, but looking closely you can make out the leg motion. It is painted as if its running or walking quite fast. Not only is the dog moving, but its owner as well. Notice how her legs are painted as well, in motion almost running. Her dress also indicates movement, its moving along with her leg motion and there maybe a small breeze as well.
The background feels as though its moving too. The streaks give it that feel, almost as though the dog and its owner were rushing somewhere. Even the leash is painted to go with the flow of the painting, this sense of movement, rushing by.
Personally I love this painting, I would hang it in my apartment...assuming I had the space. This really shows how artists attempted to paint motion in its full form. The leg movement, the multiple positions captures this in its full essence.
Work cited:
Lubbock, Tom. "Great Works: Dynamism of A Dog on a Leash (1912) Giacomo Balla - Great Works - Art - The Independent." The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. 4 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/great-works-dynamism-of-a-dog-on-a-leash-1912-giacomo-balla-1781174.html>.
This piece is really cool to look at. At a small scale, the blurriness made the woman's feet kinda seem hidden beneath a lacey, veil-like skirt at the hem of her dress or something, but with the picture at full scale, you can really see the individual frames of the walk/run. It's awesome to appreciate as an animation major.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the right choice for your theme. Not only the dog's feet, tail and chain show the speed and movement, but also the person's feet and clothe express the motion. By the way, the ground created by lines also shows the speed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous and fitting piece for your theme! I love dogs, and remember this piece distinctly from class. I love how the dogs legs appear to almost be like wheels spinning. The painting truly draws you in, and then you begin to focus on the leash, the coat trim, and the background begins to move as you stated. I wonder where Balla was when painting this painting? Possibly on a bench, people watching? It is so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like this piece a lot. Slow shutter speed. That has to be very difficult to paint a picture like that. This piece does fit your theme very well not sure if you could really find a better one. This image has all the aspects for your theme of speed and motion.
ReplyDeleteIv always found this painting really interesting because im all about motion blur. Im always trying to capture motion im my own work and always keeping a conscience mind in my animations. I also noticed while watching the movie Hugo that at the begging there is a scene of a woman walking a dachshund and it reminded me of this. The director may have liked this painting so it may have been purposefully done.
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