The Stone breakers, 1849, Gustave Courbet

?
Describe the composition of The Stone breakers
There are two men working in a rough outdoor setting,
behind them is a steep but lush looking hill with greenery and trees at the top,
the ground that the workers are standing on is rough and well worked, and both are in motion, they are not posing.
1 of 10
Describe the use of colour and texture of The Stone breakers
Realistic colour, (not bright relatively dull) smooth polished texture to show realism.
2 of 10
Describe the use of light and tone of The Stone breakers
There is a strong emphasis on shadow in the background of the work, and the worker’s white shirts are lit up brightly showing a contrast in light and tone.
3 of 10
Describe the use of Space & depth/relief of The Stone breakers
Background of the work being less high relief than the foreground, shadowing id also used and can be seen on the arms of the workers and on the hill in the background which gives the work a more 3d appearance.
4 of 10
Describe the use of line or brushwork of The Stone breakers
Although the line work shows relatively smooth appearance, the brushwork is actually quite rough, this is linking back to the rough lives of the workers shown.
5 of 10
What was the Use of materials, techniques & processes on The Stone breakers?
Oil on canvas, this decision was made because the message of the work was to paint real people in a non-idealised way doing a real job in a time where this was frowned upon, and the dominant style was classical so that is why this work is in the style of
6 of 10
What were the Critical text quotes on The Stone breakers?
“I am one who is fond of olden times and intense in the quest of the knowing of the sacred ancients”- Gustav Corbett
7 of 10
What was Influence from other factors on The Stone breakers?
Other European countries such as Brittan were industrialising and quantity was being sacrificed over quality this painting shows quality hard labour that was becoming a scarcity in the modern age.
8 of 10
What was Influence from political factors on The Stone breakers?
The French king had just been overthrown and France was just coming out of a revolution and looking forwards to a new industrial age where the people were given more power.
9 of 10
What was Influence from social/ cultural factors on The Stone breakers?
Influenced by art worlds complete lack of attention real working life
The artist has also purposely chosen an outdoor setting as landscapes were changing and becoming dominated by ugly factories, so the outdoors was becoming more and more rare.
10 of 10

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Describe the use of colour and texture of The Stone breakers

Back

Realistic colour, (not bright relatively dull) smooth polished texture to show realism.

Card 3

Front

Describe the use of light and tone of The Stone breakers

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Describe the use of Space & depth/relief of The Stone breakers

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Describe the use of line or brushwork of The Stone breakers

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History of Art resources:

See all History of Art resources »See all Rebellion and Revival 1848 – 1899 resources »