Modernism and Post Modernism

Chuck Close-Maggie(1996)


Claude Monet-waterlilies(1920)

1. Outline the intentions of each artist.

Around the time Claude Monet painted this, he was losing his eyesight, so he painted what he saw and how he saw it. He wanted people to view his work and experience how he sees things.

Chuck Close translates a photograph that he has taken and paints over it in a pixelwise manner using various techniques. The artist chooses those that are interesting to him artistically, as well as the faces of his family and friends. he sees them as his major source of inspiration and this painting is of his daughter.

2. Describe the techniques of each artist

Monet uses very rough and fast brushstrokes to give the painting a rough and blury look, it gives the painting the effect that he intended on. Close paints over photographs and puts a grid over it diagonally and paints each square differently to give his painting the pixelated effect that he intends on. Each square is painted different colours and is blended towards the center of each square.

3. Find 2 quotes about each artists work, and reference them correctly.

"It took me time to understand my waterlilies. I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them."

"Water Lilies is an extension of my life. Without the water, the lilies cannot live, as I am without art."-Claude Monet (Claude Monet watterlilies painting, n.d)

"Some people wonder whether what I do is inspired by a computer and whether or not that kind of imaging is a part of what makes this work contemporary. I absolutely hate technology, and I'm computer illiterate, and I never use any labor-saving devices although I'm not convinced that a computer is a labor-saving device." -Chuck Close (Chuck Close Biography, n.d)

4. Note 3 similarities of the work of both artists.

-They both don't pay attention to detail, there not finely detailed paintings
-Both paintings use bright clolours
-They both have to be viewed from afar in order to see the image properly

5. What are some differences between the artist's work. (at least 3)

-Monet paints landscapes and most of his paintings are about nature, whereas Close paints portraits of the people that inspires him (mostly family)

-there painting techniques are completely different, Monet is more of a rough painter and Close is more into his illusion-like paintings but detailed in a way.

-Monet concentrates more on the detail of his surroundings and the true colour of things, Close blends different colours in each square to create his images.

6. Describe your response to the work of both artists.

Both artists interest me in an artistic kinda view. There style of painting is different to what i would normally do. Close' style of putting a grid over a photo and painting each square individually is unique because of how it gives the viewer a whole different look at the painting as a whole because each square, if looked at individually, is different but together creates an amazing piece of artwork. Monet's style is different because he paints what he sees, he started to lose his eye sight and this think is how his style came about. He paints very roughly and almost rushed and his blending of his paint is visible with no fine detail which gives the painting that look.

7. Add any other comments you would like.

www.artquotes.net/masters/monet/water-lilies.htm

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=95934

http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/2008/hm4_1_191.html
http://metroartwork.com/chuck-close-biography-artwork-m-59.html