Structuralist analysis

For this project, we asked to do two things:

Find two examples of naturalistic paintings of a particular genre and annotate to discover the the similar conventions of representation; 

Find two examples of portrait photography, one formal, one informal, and annotate them to see what conventions from the formal are observed in the informal and give thoughts on why this may be so.

This is a good example of a fairly challenging project, as not familiar with the conventions on annotation (the link in the study guide is incorrect), and need to understand the conventions of representation. Found these in Wikipedia as follows:

medium - the substance used for the artwork - oil on painting, for example;

format - size and shape of the work, its orientation. Both impact on composition;

allusion - putting something in a different context;

purpose - what is the unique reason for the work, can be motivated or non motivated.

 non- motivated includes the human instinct for balance, rhythmn, harmony; the mysterious; express imagination; ritualistic or symbolic

motivated - communication of an idea; entertainment; political change; art as 'free zone' exploring different cultures and techniques; social enquiry or social causes; healing; propaganda, fitness indicator

For the first part, two well-known 19th century paintings were selected: Hay Wain by Constable, and Fallen Monarchs by William Bliss Baker. These are annotated on this link.

The portraits were selected by searching the internet. I aimed to find two painted at a broadly similar time, settling on Portrait of a Man in a Purple Robe by de Largilliere from about 1700 as a good example of a formal portrait of a worthy,and van Dyck's Portrait of François Langlois from probably early 1630s, annotated on this link.