Q1a) - Audrey Flack 'Marilyn' 1977 Flashcards
Comment on the use of composition in Flack’s artwork.
In Audrey Flack’s painting ‘Marilyn’ 1977, the paintbrish that ahs been painted has created a leading line. This guides the viewer’s eyes to the centre of the painting, allowing them to focus on the objects such as the photographs and the fruit.
Comment on the use of texture in ‘Marilyn’.
In the foreground of ‘Marilyn’, Flack has painted the fabric softly which gives the fabric a velvety look which could act as a link to the glamorous life of Marilyn Monroe.
Comment on the use of subject matter in ‘Marilyn’.
In ‘Marilyn’, Flack has painted a calendar, candle and an hourglass. the artist may have done this to create the effect of the passing of time linking to one of her influences of the Vanitas movement.
The artwork ‘Marilyn’ includes old photographs of Marilyn Monroe, lipstick, a book and perfume. The artist may have done this to link to the story of Marilyn’s life through the objects.
Comment on the use of colour in ‘Marilyn’.
In this painting feminine colours such as pink and red can be seen on the lipstick and the perfume bottle. The artist may have done this to refer to the influence of gender roles.
The blue objects contrast against the red background bringing these to the attention of the viewer in the foreground of the painting.
Comment on the use of media handling in ‘Marilyn’.
The hair of the figure on the book has been painted with soft brushtrokes. This gives her a ghost like appearance.
Oil paint takes some time to dry which has allowed Flack to build areas of tone and smoothly blend these together to give a life like feeling to the painting.
Comment on the use of tone in ‘Marilyn’.
The artist has used contrasting tones in this painting. Flack may have done this to make the objects such as the fruit in the centre of the painting stand out against the darker toned red fabric.
A strong contrast has been used by the artist between the white book and the colour in the foreground. This draws our eyes to the centre of the painting.
Comment on the use of line in ‘Marilyn’.
Flack has arrange the objects in a circular line. She may have done this to lead the eye around the whole painting.
The centre fold of the book creates a leading line which allow the viewer to follow the line to focus on the central objects in the painting such as the colourful fruit.
Comment on the use of shape/form in ‘Marilyn’.
The shapes in the painting are organic, which makes the painting look realistci and adds to the photorealistic style.
Form is created in the painting with a range of shadows, midtones and highlights. This is evident in the folds of the fabric where you can see the highlights in the sheen on the fabric which gives it a flowing look.
Comment on the use of style in ‘Marilyn’.
This painting has been painted in a photorealistic style. The atist has achieved this as she has paid close attention to all the details on the objects, such as the midtones and hightlights, which makes them look realistic
The style of the movement of Vanitas has been used in this painting as the artist has painted the objects such as old photographs, hourglass and a calendar. This creates the effect of the passing of time.
