Sometimes even a small detail can put an artwork into a wholly new perspective. Especially paintings by the old masters are full of these little artistic gems. They are a joy to discover!
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| "Conveying a Child's Coffin" by Albert Edelfelt, 1879 |
One of my favourites is in the Edelfelt's work above. I've always interpreted the tiny boat and people in the distance to depict a couple being rowed to their wedding ceremony. This happy event is in stark contrast with the grim family despairing over the death of a child. This sort of delicate touch can quite easily add a full layer of extra substance to a painting.
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| "The Committee on Moral Books" by Jehan-Georges Vibert |
Sometimes the details are there simply for amusement. For example in the painting by Vibert a third inquisitor is hidden in the dark background in front of the bookshelves, enjoying a book profusely.
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| "An Artist in-His Studio" by John S. Sargent |
Such details are not just limited to works of fiction. They can also be educational. In the Sargent's self-portrait above we can see his full palette which is thought to be exactly how he ordered his paints. A fascinating look into his process indeed and all this through such a little detail.
Do you have any favourites that exhibit attention to detail?
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