Activity #13

In this essay, the movements and styles of two artworks, “Untitled” a photograph by David Smith and “Daybreak – A Time to Rest” a painting by Jacob Lawrence, will be discussed, compared and contrasted. A movement in art is described as a shorter span of time that features a succession of style. Style deals with appearance of art and its specific constant, recurring or coherent visual characteristics.

“Untitled” is gelatin silver print created between 1932 and 1935 by David Smith. It was created as a result of the Constructivism movement, which was founded in 1913 by Vladimir Tatlin. It was a movement where Tatlin believed that “advanced ideas about art should be put to practical use and, and that artists should apply their talents to architecture, graphic design, theatrical productions, textiles, monuments, festivals” and other types of visual arts (531). Though this artwork was created after the movement was condemned in 1922, its ideas and concepts are clearly seen in this photograph. Many of the artworks created as a result of this movement resemble layered architecture and structures. Smith uses a layering technique of the different photographs of an industrial worksite, a place construction and structuring occurs. Smith clearly uses an advanced technique of art to present the similar theme of the Constructivism movement with an abstract style. Abstract can be described as an art where forms of the visual world are purposefully distorted, fragmented or simplified. There isn’t a clear or concrete view of the industrial worksite; however, the viewer can clearly see that it is present in the art work. Smith uses his layering technique to distort the view of the industrial workplace.

“Daybreak – A Time to Rest,” is a tempera on hardboard, painted by Jacob Lawrence in 1967. Unlike Smith’s photograph, this painting was created during the Conceptualism movement that arose during the mid – 1960s. This movement presents the theory that the ideas in which the artwork is about are paramount and the form used to present the ideas is secondary (549). This movement is said to be more of a way of thinking than a style. Lawrence, through his title as well as his human figures, tells his audience of the importance a time to rest is needed for the human being. You notice immediately that the idea of needing rest is much more important than how and why he used the bright colors of paint to present the idea. The way he delivers his message can be described as the icing on the cake; it’s not necessary, yet it’s much more satisfying. Lawrence also uses an abstract style in this artwork. The bodies of the human beings are much more simplified and slightly fragmented than a body of a real human being. The size of the blades of grass is greatly magnified as well.

Both artworks were designed with an abstract style, yet both were created during and inspired by different movements in art, reflecting the different art theories that were established in art history.