Blog Post #2

  I decided to search the Met website for a french revolution type of artwork i had seen about 2 years ago at the Met but i came across one that kind of revolved around the same theme but it caught my attention because i thought it has beautiful lighting. The oil on canvas is titled 'Louis-Marie, Vicomte de Noailles' by american artist Gilbert Stuart. In this artwork the one can plainly see the element of value. The artist chooses to create a frame around Noaillies by having the edges of the artwork be darker and therefore guiding the on looker to start of by seeing whats' on the middle ground of the scene and then having the eyes go from the lower right all around towards the upper right where it gets lighter so it can allow the viewer to drift off easily off the canvas. Also using the light areas the artist draws even more attention. For example the area around Noaillies feet is a much lighter color than the rest of the ground where they stand giving Noaillies a literal spotlight and therefore exalting and proving him to be the main subject. Also the white horse help direct the attention of the dark which mostly surrounds Noaillies. My interpretation of the artwork is that Noailles is a powerful war leader with class and finesse and very intellectual. It also appears as if he had recently finished or is begining some sort of battle and he stands brave,triumphant and unscathed.