Van Gogh: Still Life with Pears

Question 1

How would you describe Van Gogh’s use of COLOUR?

Answer 1

Pears painted in range of bright yellows and browns

brown patches = battered pears, making them look like they fell from a tree

Autumn colours used (list them) making us think of an autumn day

Question 2

How does Van Gogh use TONE in his piece?

Answer 2

Painted by candle light
- creates strong highlights on pear and dark shadows
-> makes them look 3d

Light comes from R.H.S
-strong highlights on right side of the pears + shadows on the left
-> the pears were painted in a corner

Question 3

How does Van Gogh use LINE?

Answer 3

Short curved lines on pears
-shows rounded 3d shape

Long vertical lines in backdrop of pears
-> draw your eye to focal point (pears)

Short diagonal lines in foreground
- warm colours on top of dark blue surface
->effect of light on patches making it look like a tree

Question 4

How does Van Gogh use TEXTURE

Answer 4

used small curves brush marks
- mixture of brown and yellow creates a bruised texture
-> natural

Thick, short lines in foreground
-rough,uneven texture that contrasts with the pears
-> pears stand out

Linear texture in the backdrop by vertical brushstrokes
- blended in place = blurred appearance
->Less candle light hits this surface

Question 5

How does Van Gogh use FORM?

Answer 5

pears= solid rounded 3d
- shown through light, dark and mid tones
-> gives rounded surface

Artificial light (candle)
= strong tonal contrast
-deep shadows underneath the pears
-> pears situated on solid 3d surface

Question 6

How does Van Gogh use PATTERN?

Answer 6

short diagonal lines on foreground = simple repeat pattern
-suggest pears are sitting on a rough surface (forest floor)

Repeated vertical brushstrokes in background = pattern
- varied length of brushstrokes makes it look like a tree trunk

Pears are not arranges in a pattern but piled
-repeating shapes= subtle patters
->natural since pears have fallen (found like that)

Question 7

what MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE does VAn Gogh create?

Answer 7

dramatic atmosphere through strong contrast
-> through yellows and dark background

warm and calming mood
-rich yellows are glowing under candle light

Question 8

Describe Van Gogh’s STYLE

Answer 8

influenced by impressionists
-painted quick to capture effects of light
-> shown through warm glow of pears

Visible brushstrokes in painting
- thick brushstrokes in background contrast with curved pears
->expressive style

Question 9

Describe Van Gogh’s MEDIA HANDLING + TECHNIQUES

Answer 9

Vertical brush strokes in backdrop draw eye to focal point
-> lead them to pears

Short curved directional brushstrokes to show 3d form

Impasto technique (thick paint)
-> gives foreground a rough appearance

Question 10

What is Van Gogh’s SUBJECT MATTER/IMAGERY?

Answer 10

pears are focal point
-create a homely effect

little detail in backdrop
- variety of brushstrokes make backdrop look like tree
-> natural subject matter

Question 11

Describe Van Gogh’s composition/ arrangement?

Answer 11

pears are @ centre of the canvas
- none bleed out the canvas
-> focal point

overlapping pears
-depth and distance

pear pile = natural appearance

Question 12

Describe Van Gogh’s SCALE

Answer 12

pears= same scale
- effect that they are clumped closely together

canvas = 56x60cm
- pears are a relatively small scale in painting
-> space on all sides of canvas, adding depth