Comparison: Claude Monet and Van Gogh

This as not due to a lack in technique or training; this is a style that Monet acquired by using very dappled brushstrokes in his work. The individual brushstrokes portray the different shapes of each object, which enhances the composition of this piece. The overlapping of distinct brush strokes gives the piece depth and a lively quality. For example, the high grass is well depicted as blowing in the wind but this movement would not be as beautifully rendered if Monet didn’t use dappled brushstrokes.

The Path on the Island of Saint Martin, Bethel has a very rich use of color and rightness that bring a sense of clarity to the piece. Monet uses a variety of color in this piece but sticks to mostly earthy tones which gives the piece a harmonious feeling. Monet did not try to smooth away or diminish the appearance of their brush strokes, which was a popular technique during Impressionism. Another Impressionist “technique” that Monet used was capturing a fleeting moment. In Path on the Island of Saint Martin, Bethel Monet captures the fleeting effects of sunlight that happen throughout that day.

Capturing these moments enhances the feeling of a certain impression of the scene. Rain by Vincent Van Gogh is oil painting that was created in 1889. Van Gogh was a famous artist during the Post-Impressionism time period and created artworks that had a strong emotional impact on viewers. Rain has several realistic depictions but stays true to Van Sago’s personal experience during the rain storm. Rain has a sad emotional feeling to it, because of the muddy, dark, vivid colors that Van Gogh chose to use.

Vincent Van Gogh manipulated many different color lattes in most of his works and he manipulates the colors in Rain by overlapping them to create new tones and shades. The color of the paint that Van Gogh uses perfectly depicts a rainy day; the viewer immediately gets a sense of a gloomy rainstorm when looking at the piece. Van Sago’s line work in this piece is extraordinary and allows the viewer to experience the rainstorm first hand; his use of long and short diagonal strokes, which cover the entire forefront of the painting, effortlessly depict a rain storm.

Van Gogh choose to use thick white strokes of paint to present the rain and it is rendered beautifully especially in contrast to the darker colors in the background. Van Gogh is able to capture the true essence of the rainstorm by painting the piece very blurry. He rejects the idea of the landscape in order for the viewer to focus more on the rain. Behind the blurriness of the piece the viewer can make out a small fence that Van Gogh painted into his piece. The fence is a little asymmetrical, but seems intentional in order to create a sense of depth and achieve Van Sago’s perspective during the rainstorm.

In comparison, it is apparent hat Post- Impressionism was highly influenced by Impressionism, and there are many similar techniques used in both pieces. Monet and Van Sago’s paintings are both portraying an outdoor landscape of a wheat field, but are painted in many different and unique ways. Van Sago’s looks as if it was painted wildly and quickly. Motet’s piece is clear that he took time to plan each paint stroke. Both oil paintings use earthy color tones but Van Sago’s piece has a darker, muddy feel to it because of his technique of manipulating colors.

Van Sago’s work has a sense of looseness that test the mood and tone perfectly, while Motet’s work has a little bit more depiction to objects and the landscape. Both artist use oil paint and keep a thick texture of paint so both pieces have this feeling that they are somewhat Jumping out at you. Motet’s piece depicts the landscape quite clearly while Van Sago’s piece is much more blurry and he denies much of the landscape. In Motet’s piece the trees, landscape, and wheat field are successfully depicted and you can even see some small details. In Van Sago’s piece one is more focused on the rain than the blurred out landscape.

Both artists have great use of space that allows the viewer to gain a sense of perspective; Rain seems to be a perspective that was looking down on the wheat filed, while in Path on the Island of Saint Martin, Bethel the viewer is at ground level with the field. In closing, Monet and Van Gogh are very alike in the sense that they both enjoyed painting outdoor landscapes, but they are very different in the way they capture the scenes. Monet strove to capture the essence of a fleeting moment, such as light, while Van Gogh strove to capture the essence of a particular mood or emotion.

These two different styles are clearly depicted when walking through the galleries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Claude Motet’s art work all give the viewer a sense of clarity with the use of earthy and warm colors that he uses to paint landscapes. Van Sago’s art work often leaves one pondering of his exact emotive intentions were but for most, if not all, pieces the viewer is definitely able to feel an array of emotions while browsing through Van Sago’s work. Path on the Island of Saint Martin, Bethel by Claude Monet. Personal Photograph by Natalie Pagans. 12 Par 2013.