Comparing 'Judith And Holofernes And Dark Abstraction'

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http://library.artstor.org/library/secure/ViewImages?id=%2FThWdC8hIywtPygxFTx5TnQkVnwqfw%3D%3D&userId=hzBAcTYl&zoomparams=&fs=true Gentileschi, Artemisia, “Judith and Holofernes,” Circa 1620 http://library.artstor.org/library/secure/ViewImages?id=8CNfeTkiJCxdLS04eDp2SngoWg%3D%3D&userId=hzBAcTYl&zoomparams=&fs=true O’Keeffe, Georgia, “Dark Abstraction,” 1924 “Representational, Abstract, and Non-Representational” Jonathan Christian (Cypress Group) The two paintings I have selected for the essay concerning representational, abstract, and non-representational art are “Judith and Holofernes” by Artemisia Gentileschi and “Dark Abstraction” by Georgia O’Keeffe. “Judith and Holofernes” is the exact opposite of “Dark Abstraction” in every sense of the word. The two are hardly comparable …show more content…

In stark contrast to the naturalistic, photorealism of “Judith and Holofernes,” O’Keeffe’s painting favors colors over humanity, and darkness over warm lighting. Not to say this takes away from the beauty portrayed in the piece; quite the opposite in fact. The portrait, similar to its title, provides an atmosphere of perplexing mystery and oppressive claustrophobia. While both works feature an underlying theme of horror, “Dark Abstraction” goes about relaying this emotion by employing a far subtler method. O’Keeffe’s painting is nightmarish due to the dreamlike logic featured within the canvas. It’s frightening in a way one cannot express easily. For example, when one awakens from a nightmare, any attempt to decipher the thoughts running through one’s mind and varied emotions enclosed in one’s chest is often met with failure. This is why “Dark Abstraction” perfectly accompanies “Judith and Holofernes”; Gentileschi’s painting is a narrative speaking to one’s eyes, while O’Keeffe’s painting speaks to one’s emotions. Both are equally memorable, however different they appear on first

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