Here are some of the highlights of our discussion of Henry Jones Thaddeus' "The Wounded Poacher" which hangs in the National Gallery in Ireland:
- Thaddeus presents the poacher in a heroic manner, a victim not victimizer, a provider.
- the painting shows a state of commotion: a chair is tipped over, vegetables are knocked off of the table, his gun is thrown haphazardly to the floor, the rabbits he has harvested lay strewn about, his hat is upside down (look for other elements)
- the composition shows many contrasts: the woman caring for him seems soft and angelic next to the poacher who is heavily textured (pants), dirty, and in a terrible way. Much of the scene is dark compared to the light that falls upon the subjects in the centre.
- the viewer is reminded of the plight of those that must go without: the food is rudimentary, the table is mended with a stick, his boots are in a poor state, a spoon rather than a decoration hangs on the wall, his pipe is not an expensive pipe, etc. The scene is one of rural simplicity. One might imagine the contrast between the home life of the poacher and the landowner he poached from.
Closely examine the painting for other elements that you believe help capture the sentiment that the artist was hoping to convey.
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