Comparison Essay

Art in different forms of media stands as a way for society to express itself through means that can transcend the period in which a work was created. While it is true that art can be divided into movements and eras that are typically defined by key principles, pieces of art still display similarities and differences that reflect influences from the past and innovations of the future. In this case, a focus will be made on the movements known as Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism. The two chosen works, Summer Scene, Provincetown by Helen Frankenthaler, and Waterlilies by Claude Monet, present similar subjects and styles while being produced in very different contexts. The passage of time and events is present in the developed techniques

Key elements of the Impressionism movement included a focus on the play of light on objects, lightened and intense colors, loose brushwork, and capturing what the eye saw in relation to a scene in time (Wolf). Created in 1914, Monet’s work reflects this in its focus on light reflecting off water and plants (Monet). Waterlilies focuses on a temporary and transient moment in time, as if one were passing by and saw waterlilies floating atop a blue river during a sunny midday stroll. In contrast to Summer Scene, Provincetown, Monet’s painting shows more detail in form based on contrast of colors. The painting appears more polished in its observation of organic forms. While both paintings rely on contrasting color to create form, Monet’s piece relies more heavily on intense and vibrant blends of paint. Deep blues and greens loosely brushed in thick and visible brushstrokes makes up the majority of the piece. In addition, the texture of the paint contributes to the overall view of the scene; the thicker brushstrokes leave out exact details, but create a greater sense of the fleeting moment by implying the speed with which it was captured. Feelings evoked by Monet’s work are those of serenity and calmness. In these ways, technique and style show differences in the two