Christopher T.

Calhoun
April 27th, 2014
Student Number: 0004619366
Class Number:
201403-02

Full Sail University

Graphic Design Bachelor of Science Degree

Program online

Rachel Fugate
Art History

Visual Analysis
The oil painting titled, The Sisters is the
subject of this visual analysis. Abbott H.
Thayer created the painting during 1884.
(Brooklyn Museum)i
The style of the
painting appears similar to one of the
Realism period.
The painting is shallowly saturated and
composed of ranges of color mostly close to
brown and green, spanning from as dark as
possible to very light, somewhat away from
white. The two females featured in the
painting form the paintings subjects. Their
dress is very dark, extending from darkness,
transitioning, forming a shape in front of the
background that becomes lighter in value
along the paintings height. Their faces and
arms are most accentuated, as being of the
paintings lightest color values.
The
painting has a grainy texture and softly
transitioning bands of color. The women
occupy and contrast a balanced area of
positive space against the negative void of
the background.

(Thayer, 1884)

Artist:
Painting Title:
Date and Period:

ii

Abbott H. Thayer
The Sisters
1884, Realism

The composition of the painting is an

arrangement of its elements; the perceivable layers of the painting are positioned in a
hierarchy of distance. The furthest woman is less exposed to the atmospheric light, and
then the background is even darker. The furthest womans face and the nearest womans
hands align closely with the rule of thirds. The furthest womans hand is extended to
near the left border, while the nearest woman leans slightly in the opposite direction,
presenting a balance of weight. Both women appear to be looking through something,
such as a window or mirror. The women appear to be contemplating what they are
observing. The furthest woman appears to be somewhat consoling.
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The painting creates somewhat of a sfumato effect, however rough strokes and bands
of color imply definite lines. This effect in combination with the painting appearing
grainy seems to be inspired by photographs. Images captured on film can have a
heavy grain and various visual artifacts captured as an effect of the nature of light
and lenses, or film development errors and imperfections.

The notion of such a photographic-inspired atmosphere in combination with the
paintings two subjects (similar appearing sisters), the exact position of the two
subjects, and the lighting scheme (especially the furthest womans lesser color
values) causes the painting to appear as if it could possible be showing a womans
reflection in a mirror, although it is apparently not. However, this all gives the
painting an uncanny element for the viewer upon a first or fleeting view, perhaps
augmented by the paintings subjects possibly looking in a mirror, themselves. All
these elements and perceptions of the painting could be intentionally involved
around the concepts of two sisters having very similar physical appearances, them
looking at each other, them looking in mirrors, them looking at each other in
mirrors. A whole concept of similar looking, related people, and how they view each
other and themselves is, for me, contained in this artwork.
Examining this painting thoroughly has enhanced my perception of it. Understanding the
concepts of art and art history has allowed me to realize the various attributes and
definable nuances of the artwork, and then communicate such as a visual analysis by
textually articulating the aspects of the painting. Using known and established concepts
to communicate ones analysis of a visual artwork allows others to understand my
perceptions of the artwork. Also, had I not been prompted to so thoroughly study a
particular painting, I may have never come to my realization about what I perceive the
painting to be actually showing, which could possibly be an intention of the artist,
Thayer. I find the painting to communicate the feelings of its pictured subjects, sisters, as
they view each other, their selves, and their selves in each other, and this concept existing
among the implication of actual physical mirrors. Its something a bit escaping to
describe, which is why its a fine subject to be communicated via a visual image.

Works Cited:
i

Brooklyn Museum. (n.d.). Collections: American Art: The Sisters. Retrieved April 27,
2014, from Brooklyn Museum:
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/459/The_Sisters/image/5110/
image

ii

Thayer, A. H. (1884). Retrieved from Brooklyn Museum:

http://cdn2.brooklynmuseum.org/images/opencollection/objects/size4/35.1068_SL1.jpg
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