The Derby Day, 1856-1858, William Powell Frith

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Describe the composition of Derby Day
‘Read’ from left to right, with distinct groups
Horses and jockeys, background, the public become the subject.
Horizontal emphasis spaciousness, giving vast space filled by a huge crowd.
Crowded and chaotic appearance, classes forced together on this da
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Describe the use of colour and texture of Derby Day
Patches of red appear throughout the scene, carrying our eye across the painting.
Little texture to the work due to Powell Frith’s fine brushwork and detailing: the piece appears photographic in quality.
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Describe the use of light and tone of Derby Day
Little light in the lower half of the composition, emphasising the claustrophobic, crowded crowds in the scene.
Contrasted by the expanse of cloudy blue sky in the upper half, giving the painting balance.
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Describe the use of Space & depth/relief of Derby Day
Depth is achieved through atmospheric perspective and the scaling of forms.
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Describe the use of line or brushwork of Derby Day
Powell Frith try's to depict the scene as accurately as possible; making sketches on location, hiring real acrobats as models, and using photographs as visual aids he commissioned from friends.
The painting is highly finished, as was typical of Victoria
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What was the Stylistic comment on Derby Day?
A Victorian Academic panoramic painting depicting a large group of people socialising at the Epsom Derby.
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What was the Use of materials, techniques & processes on Derby Day
Entire painting on a 15-minute sketch from the Epsom Derby.
Worked on the project for fifteen months, producing two large sketches in addition to the finished work.
He brought the composition together with the aid of drawings and sketches, hiring models
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What were the Critical text quotes on Derby Day?
“My first Derby [was an] opportunity for studying life and character” – Powell Frith

“In this picture we can discern… luxury… wealth… beauty… hopeless misery” – (Royal Academy artist John Evan) Hodgeson
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what was Influence from other factors on Derby Day?
Photographic influence: the painting is intricately detailed.
Powell Frith aimed to make it appear like a photograph, showing influence from technology.
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What was Influence from political factors on Derby Day?
Decade prior, 1848 marked by series of revolutions and uprisings across Europe, significant impact on the lives of people from all backgrounds.
Britain retained calm during these upheavals. Provide a sense of security to viewers who witnessed within it a
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What was Influence from social/ cultural factors on Derby Day?
Stereotyping his depiction of people, illustrations for characters from a Victorian era novel.
Sympathise with people shown, poverty-stricken children, flower seller or the young acrobat, exposed to wealth and luxury they can never achieve.
Victorians c
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Describe the use of colour and texture of Derby Day

Back

Patches of red appear throughout the scene, carrying our eye across the painting.
Little texture to the work due to Powell Frith’s fine brushwork and detailing: the piece appears photographic in quality.

Card 3

Front

Describe the use of light and tone of Derby Day

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Describe the use of Space & depth/relief of Derby Day

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Describe the use of line or brushwork of Derby Day

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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