Great Difference In Longstaff's And Folingsby's Work example essay topic

The story now told is of a simple and - alas! - an often-recurring incident of everyday life in a mining district. The scene is the interior of a miner's cottage on the goldfields. Through the open doorway are to be seen the poppet heads which mark the main shaft of the mine. The table is laid for the evening meal. The young wife takes pride in the neatness of her modest home, as shown by the little surroundings. We imagine her, with her infant in her arms, sitting by the fire as she prepares the husband's dinner.

Presently, she hears the sound of many footsteps, and wonderingly listens. Then the door is opened, and two men enter. The older of them approaches her with bowed, uncovered head - a look of deep concern upon his honest face. Instantly the dread of what has happened flashes upon her. She springs forward, the mute agony of her pallid face appealing to him to let her know the worst. His rough, toilworn hands are gently placed on her shoulders to steady her before he breaks the news which wrecks a life.

Through the open door are indications of the rude litter on which lies the remains of him who was dearer to her than life itself. In the bent shoulders of his mate, standing in the doorway, hat in hand, are shown that instinctive sense of respect which death and grief inspire. The bearers outside await his signal to bring their burden in. This is the moment the artist has seized for his pathetic rendering of a touching subject... The Heidelberg era (the time in which this painting was created) is evident in the compositional arrangement of the figures across the interior setting. An open doorway places the incident within a wider scene, essential to the drama.

The brown tonality is characteristic of Folingsby's painting method; a man of great stature in Longstaff's eye. George Frederick Folingsby was a teacher and student of the Heidelberg School of Arts. His arrival had a 'magical effect ' almongnst the students, who were eager for higher instruction in art along traditional academic lines. Folingsby changed the whole plan on which art education had formerly been carried on. Longstaff 'idolized ' Folingsby, which is evident in all his work. There is great similarity in their work, their colour use, application, and the typically Victorian subject matter and treatment.

However, there was great difference in Longstaff's and Folingsby's work. Longstaff painted many stories with great emotion, whereas Folingsby painted a suggestion of a story, whereby the viewer would 'be burdened with their own assumptions of the true story line. I am extremely fond of this art work, as it holds many emotions within its small frame. Each character is tackling their own individual turmoil whilst being involved in this very emotional moment. From the simple loving wife; and her grief and shock, to the fellow workers awaiting the appropriate moment to enter the quaint little home with the dearly beloved deceased -the awkwardness, the sorrow.

This great piece of art struck me at first sight. The swell of emotions which ran through me, as I made my own assumptions of the dramatic storey-line within this majestic frame, was unbelievably overwhelming. John Longstaff has captured a moment of what was everyday life (in this time), and told its story with great passion and sympathy..