This painting, "Mater Dolorosa" (Sorrowing Virgin) is stunning and definitely a masterpiece. I first noticed the red eyes before every other facial feature. The artist, Dieric Bouts, somehow produced the most realistic, bloodshot, eyes. Looking upon them makes the viewer actually feel empathy and pain with the nun. She appears so innocent and depressed. Bouts mastered capturing such a powerful and deep emotion. It is sometimes more than a challenge to incorporate actual feelings into works. An artist must consider all the content in a creation to consider if certain poses, colors, or values fit a certain feeling. Here, dark and dreary hues fill the painting that contrast with the nun's pale skin and the white cloth. Her downcast head suggests that she is dejected. The dirty yellow backdrop does not feel comforting. The viewer is not able to exactly understand where this woman is. Perhaps she is in a church, or at home. Either way, it is very clear that the sorrowing virgin is in all kinds of pain.
I consider this painting, "Portrait after a Costume Ball" (Portrait of Madame DietzMonnin) a disaster piece. In my opinion, there is just not enough definition around all of the figures and objects. I love many of the paintings Degas produced that have more clarity and precision. I also understand that this painting is of a dance... When a person thinks of dancing, they typically envision movement. Perhaps Degas was expressing the lively atmosphere in this piece. The colors are unpleasant and messy. An elongated brown scarf takes up too much space while a poorly illustrated, yellow-brown chair also distracts the viewer in the foreground. Brighter, more attractive tones would have benefitted this work.
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