AVI10 - Reaction to Art

As part of the Grade 9 art program, it is important to be able to identify and describe your reaction to a variety of work.  Today we viewed and discussed the following pieces, sharing our reactions as a group and building upon what each other noted.

We discussed Henry Jones Thaddeus' "The Wounded Poacher".

Initially, the reactions varied from boredom to mild curiosity.  Then we discussed the many elements of the painting one must note to better understand it.  We have a poacher...in the eyes of the law, a criminal.  He is wounded.  On the floor, you see the rabbits he has risked his life to acquire to feed his family.  The home is somewhat rudimentary: the table is mended, a spoon hangs on the wall, simple vegetables are strewn about, etc.  Our perception changed from that of boredom to empathy.  One student noted that it reminded her of Caravaggio's "Judith Beheading Holofernes", seen here:

Holofernes was an Assyrian General who was intending to destroy Judith's home and village.  Judith beats him to the punch, so to speak.  In both paintings, the female subject is cast in an angelic light.  In both paintings, the male subject might be a hero or a criminal, depending on your perspective.  We marvelled at Caravaggio's transition between values and his astute use of space.  We zoomed in on Judith's expression: elements of curiosity, disgust, surprise, and resolution are found in her face.

We also measured our initial reaction to the following works.  What are your reactions as you view them for what may be the first time?

Kara Walker's "Gone".

Paul Peel's "After the Bath".

Sofonisba Anguissola's "Bernardino Campi Painting Sofonisba Anguissola".