Raul Pantojas
Professor Bomboy
HUM. 101
Writing Assignment 2
10/30/2015
“The Mourning
of Icarus”
Narrative
painting is an excellent form of art, used to tell great stories of epic
battles, or important histories of ancient lands and civilizations. When I
think of a narrative painting the first pictures that come to mind are great
canvases depicting some sort of Greek history, which is why I choose to do this
critique based on Herbert James Drapers “The Mourning of Icarus”. Draper’s use
of the principles of design are expertly used, and give the viewer a better and
vivid experience of the scene being excellently recreated using the elements
and standards of art. The story that inspires this painting is based on the
Greek myth of Icarus and his faithful flight, and depicts the outcome at his
attempt to find freedom. This beautiful painting causes a very strong sense of
mourning and emotions from within me. With its beautiful and symmetrical
design, and its use of contrasting colors to easily differentiate the
characters and tones, it is no wonder why this piece is one of James Drapers
most notorious pieces.
“The Mourning of Icarus” shows a flock of nymphs gathered
around the lifeless body of Icarus, which is laying on a huge rock in the
middle of what appears to be a river. There is one nymph that is holding Icarus’s
dead body, with another standing directly behind the corpse holding a shimmering,
golden harp. The elements of art and the principles of design were used
powerfully and very effectively in this work of art to enhance it. The colors
blend seamlessly to add effects from the sky and surrounding forestry. The colors chosen are of the softer variety
offering a deep yet feminine point of view. The outstretched motionless wings
of Icarus add greatly to this feminist feeling. The look of concern on the face
of the nymph holding the harp greatly increases the sense of sadness caused by
this death. The contrast of skin tones between the nymphs and Icarus are quite distinguishable.The
nymphs, pale and radiant skin tone that reflects an almost holy aura, while the
body of Icarus is more of a humanoid-olive complexion. The painter choose
darker colors for the surrounding environment with a sliver of sunlight shining
down on Icarus and the group of mourning nymphs. The use of detail and use of
lines in the water give the impression of “lapping waters” hitting the rock
that Icarus lays upon, while the third nymph looks over the rock in a concerned
fashion. The canvas is used in a very effective and efficient manner with the painter
placing all the action directly in the middle. By placing multiple characters
in different layers and levels, the painter allows the viewer to be easily immersed
and encapsulated in the painting, all the while creating a sense of openness.
Overall the principles of art and design work wondrously together to bring to
life a beautiful scene that evokes a sense sadness and mourning over the loss
of Icarus.
The story behind “The Mourning of Icarus” is based upon
the ancient Greek myth of Icarus and his father Daedalus. Daedalus and his son,
Icarus, spent most of their lives locked away in a tower by King Minos, unable
to ever escape. All ships leaving the island were carefully monitored by the
king, who was determined to not let Daedalus escape. According to the myth, “the
inventor decided that if he could not escape by sea, then he would escape the island
of Crete by riding on the winds” (classical wisdom). Daedalus collected the
feathers of many birds that had also made a home in his tower prison. Then, He
constructed a set of wings that would be worn his son by using candlewax and
thread to fix the feathers and hold them in place. He then constructed wings
for his son Icarus. After the wings were completed the father and son duo
prepared to jump from the tower and fly away to find new freedom. Before they
jumped from the tower, Daedalus warned his son “not to fly too low to the sea,
as the mist would dampen his wings and cause him to fall” (Classical wisdom).
He also made sure to warn the young boy not to “fly too high as the warmth from
the sun would melt the wax that held the feathers and cause him to fall to
earth” (classical wisdom). The father’s invention would work better than
expected, Icarus would eventually defy his father’s warning and rise above the
clouds, and true to his father’s prediction would come tumbling back down from
the heavens to the earth.
This beautiful painting can be interpreted as a warning
of what will occur when a child defies his parents’ wishes or demands. It could
also be interpreted as a direct consequence received from the Gods due to Icarus’s
disobedience. When I first saw this painting I immediately felt a sense of
mourning and compassion for the young Icarus. He had been locked away for most
of his life and the moment he discovers his freedom, it leads to his
demise. The painting depicts what
happens when a person becomes too self-involved and believes they can actually
take on nature, the gods, or some other form of higher power and be victorious.
The artist is attempting to depict the lack of power that both Icarus and his father
hold over their own fate and life in general. From being locked up for most of
their life, to Icarus’s disaster of a flight, the artist wants to show that
neither have any power, yet both are at the mercy of a powerful force.
“The Mourning of Icarus” by Herbert James Drapers is an
amazing and well painted example of a narrative piece of art. This piece successfully
conveys its message of despair and powerlessness that at some point in time we
all must face as human beings.
Sources:
"The Myth of Daedalus and
Icarus." Classical Wisdom Weekly. 28 May 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment