Step 1: Identification
The painting “Kindred Spirits” is one of Asher Brown Durand’s most attractive pieces of art. The 1849 painting was made with “oil on canvas”. It belongs to the era of modernity (Frank 21). It depicts Thomas Cole and William Cullen Bryant (renowned poets). It is an appreciation of the two American poets, the American nature and the Cole’s discovery of the valley some twenty years prior to his death in 1848 (Ferber and Durand 62).
Step 2: analysis
Durand’s use of color provides the painting with the actual sense of nature. For example, green color has been used to depict plants and white color indicates the clean water flowing on the stream. Grey and dark colors have been used to display the rocks and the ground. In addition, motion is depicted by the flowing stream, which seems to be moving at a moderate speed. The two men are motionless, but seemingly talking softly to each other. Dark and grey are used to show the softness of the rocks.
Color and texture have also been used to describe variety, balance and contrast. For instance, the dark green color of plants and the brown color of rocks are contrasting. In this way, they allow the viewer to recognize the two individuals on the rocks. In addition, the size of the two men seems to be small compared to the rocks and trees, which make the painting realistic and proportional.
Step 3 interpretation
The area around the two individuals is immensely attractive, with large trees growing below the rocks. Tree branches rise above the rocks, providing a harmonious environment (Ferber and Durand 27).
. Right below the cliff, a small but strikingly stream flows towards the lowlands at the background. Durand’s main theme was to symbolize the appreciable nature of New York. It also pays tribute to the two friends.
Step 4 judgment
Durand seems to be a highly creative person due to his ability to present the figure in a manner than looks real. In addition, it shows his appreciation for nature, his friends, and important people in American society and the freedom to use colors, lines and other aspects of painting in presenting natural scenarios.
Works Cited
Ferber, Linda, S and Asher Durand. Kindred spirits: Asher B. Durand and the American landscape. New York, NY: Brooklyn Museum, 2007. Print.