The Evoking of Misery and Hope

The Evoking of Misery and Hope

  • Submitted By: malber
  • Date Submitted: 12/11/2008 10:19 AM
  • Category: Miscellaneous
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Michael Albert The Evoking of Misery and Hope Throughout history there have been several artists such as Monet, Picasso, or Renoir who impacted the world. Some artists changed the way history was viewed, while others may have changed the way life is viewed. The artist, who has had a great impact on the way paintings can be seen and perceived, was Joseph Mallord William Turner. Throughout his extremely symbolic paintings, Turner uses many techniques and images that convey a deep meaning. Some paintings which evoke symbolism are "Shipwreck", "Flint Castle", "Approach to Venice", "Tintern Abbey", "Buttermere Lake", "The Great Falls of the Reichenbach", and "Death on a Pale Horse". Although some may argue that Turner's paintings have no meaning, however, when they are closely looked at, symbolism can be seen through the images, techniques, and colors he uses. One of Turner's many famous paintings is the "Shipwreck". Though artists such as William Adolphus Knell have tried to imitate this painting and adopt different features to it, their works will probably never be able to be similar to those of Turner. By each color and stroke of his paintbrush, Turner invoked much symbolism and meaning in his masterpieces. When a person views the painting, he or she is able to realize how a sense of darkness is exposed, beginning with the setting. This darkness symbolizes a rough or dark time. However, in the distance, there is a sparkle of light. Perhaps, Turner is trying to show that the problems are withdrawing farther away. On the other hand, they may be nearer. The clouds, which are relevant to the darkness, symbolize doom. Often, in many works of literature ("The Awakening", by Kate Chopin), the ocean is believed to symbolize hopes, dreams, and opportunities. The people in Turner’s painting are on this ship, traveling towards their hopes and dreams, but they encounter a problem - the waves. Waves can be viewed as obstacles. In this case, the waves cause the people to get...

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