Visual Culture Analysis: Comparing Art Pieces by Hockney & Millais

This essay provides a detailed analysis of visual culture through the examination of two distinct artworks: David Hockney's "Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy" and Sir John Everett Millais' "Ophelia." The analysis of Hockney's painting explores its modern context, use of color, and the implied relationship dynamics between the subjects, referencing artistic precedents and symbolism to interpret the work's deeper meaning. The essay then delves into Millais' "Ophelia," examining its historical context, symbolism of flora and fauna, and its representation of Victorian social and cultural conditions, highlighting the painting's ability to blend beauty with the horror of death. Both analyses consider the artists' techniques, use of color and light, and the overall impact of the artworks within their respective cultural and historical contexts. The essay concludes by judging the effectiveness of each piece in conveying its intended message and contributing to the broader understanding of visual culture.

Visual culture-
Analysing two art
pieces

Description
Artist: David Hockney (1970-1971)
Title: Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy
Type: Acrylic Painting
Subject: The painting represents the image of couple named Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell within their flat after the wedding
in which one of the cats named Blanche is on Clark’s Knee.
Objects in the artwork: There are number of objects on the modern metal framed chair along with Cigarette on the other hand
and bare feet over the thick pile of the carpet. Also, there is a telephone and lamp on the floor towards the right of Clark and
framed print on the right side of Birtwell. Also, the plain table on the left side of Birtwell that leads to support the vase filled
with lilies and the yellow book.
First Impression: The painting creates the image of modern couple from which the successful couple seems confident. The
painting also holds unique petition due to the virtual life sized and realism subject of painting.
Colours used: The painting tends to use muted shades of colour in terms of creating cool feeling. By admitting this, the red
colour of Mrs. Clark’s dress and Blue Jumper of Mr. Clark stand out. The yellow colour of the book on the pale white table
which seems eye catchy.
Shapes Lines: The paining undertakes the flattened surfaces which also create silhouettes that put more focus over the lines
and shapes.
Light Saturation: Contre-jour technique which is useful in the painting and the window among the couple considering the
light source. It leads to create the backlighting of the subject and every subject in the painting set against the light.

Analysis
Hockney has the effective creation of naturalistic painting by considering the large canvas and also tends to crate
virtually life subjects by setting against the lighting considering Contre-jour techniques. The subjects of the
painting by looking directly over the viewer which create the third relationship of this couple (Mr and Mrs Clark
and Percy, 2021).
Interpretation
The distance among the couple considering the effective direction of suitable posture that creates the image the
independent over the modern couple. It leads to create the third among the couple that represent the distance
between them. For this, the composition and symbolism of the artwork can be seen within the painting. It
undertakes the progress of Rake and The Arnolfini Portrait. Besides from this, the Hockeny’s version of the process
of Rake seen on the wall. As the composition of painting is similar to the portrait and lines of near Mrs. Clark who
represent the annunciation as she was pregnant at the time of painting. After all these factors states the relationship
among the couple which is not good as the was together only for four years.
Judgement
The suitable effort which put within the painting in terms of creating the naturalism work that makes it one of the great
piece of modern artwork. Along with this, the references of past artworks to create the symbolism in terms of increasing
the importance of this paintings and also help effectively to communicate the relationship among the couple.

Description
Artist: Sir John Everett Millais (1851-1852)
Title: Ophelia
Type: History Painting
Subject: It represent the tragic death of Ophelia as it is the character from the popular Shakespeare play Hamlet in which
Ophelia is singing before drowning into the river.
Objects in the artwork: Here, the main objects include Ophelia who is wearing the gorgeous veil laced and the flora
surrounding the river. The image undertakes the uprooted willow with the chump of shrubs and the aquatic plants at the left
side.
First Impression: The face of Ophelia is the attention who grab the elements of picture due to the detailed subtle expression
over the face. Besides from this, the detailing in the natural surroundings of the river among the painting takes the viewer to
the scene of Certitude’s speech over the play.
Colours used: The effective features of painting include the rich colours of paintings against the soft skin of Ophelia. Dark
vivid colour of Ophelia’s nearby plays properly with the light of colours which are used on the main subject.
Shapes Lines: The portrait has ached over the top which is the line that separate the grey backwater from the natural green
landscape.
Light Saturation: The dark surroundings of the main subject and suitable details of body submerged in water that make the
painting more representable.

Analysis
Millais has effective use of symbolism of fauna and colours to set the effective scene from the Shakespeare
that play and represent the story of Ophelia. The position of hands is in orans posture that depict the
submission towards god as she approaches to death. Along with this, the dark backwater is surrounded to the
Ophelia that communicates to dejected fate of Shakespeare Heroine (How Ophelia is represented in
nineteenth-century English art, 2018). The artist also has become more successful in communicating the
overall story of Ophelia as the clothes of character represent that she is the noble women with several detailed
symbols.
Interpretation
The representation of Ophelia as the women over the painting reflect the social and cultural conditions in
Victorian Britain. For this, the balance of image is complicated and self-contradictory. Besides from this, the
painting looks more stable due to its suitable structure among all the elements and every element of this
painting looks delicate with possibility of breaking up (Symbolic Death of Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais,
2021). The face of Ophelia attaches the death of character with tenderness instead of fear as these
contradictions are the reflection of Victoria era that exists in the historical agency like beauty and death.
Painting is successful distort the horror of death and connects with beauty which reveal the part of myth which
is shaped by the painting that makes people believe that such mad face can be the type of beauty.

Judgement
This painting is the excellent artwork from the era of Victoria which not only provide an effective vision to the cultural influences of the era but also effectively
represent the literature from where the main subject of painting is taken. It is being completed by the detailed symbolism and effective use of colour.