Visual Perception of Images Then and Now Essay

The introduction

Our visual perception

When analyzing the images, I would like to tell a few words about a person’s ability to perceive information. Generally, it should be pointed out that our brain possesses unique abilities – it can recognize various forms and shapes, even when some parts of a certain picture/production, etc. are absent. Thus, when speaking about the first image, one is to keep in mind that our brain “adds” some missing parts; however, it does not mean the brain will reflect the correct image, it just probably tries to renew some familiar images in the mind.

The body

The ways people’s perceptions can be changed

The most important visual elements of the first image seem to be blurred. Thus, the first picture does not reflect sharp shapes, textures, colors, or contours. So, for this reason, one can conclude that the content of the image is difficult to analyze. It is also not so easy to speak about any impressions the product may cause, as flagrant colors are absent. In other words, there are no elements, which can influence visual nerves; so, no vivid emotions can be produced.

However, when some additional elements appear, our brain tries to recognize the context of the picture. In other words, it seems that the new image, which contains more elements, expands the scopes of our perception. For instance, the second image contains more elements; thus, our brain tries to remember what context it may reflect. Generally, one’s brain can be lost in guesses; however, the second image can remind the viewers of the landscape. As far as I am well familiar with the literature, I can conclude that the picture is associated with W. H. Auden’s poem – Musée des Beaux-Arts.

Other images are more vivid; so, they cause more emotions. I am perfectly sure that the image is closely related to famous mythological production. It probably reflects William Carlos Williams’s tragedy of Icarus. The colors the picture contains are not aggressive; so, the image provokes positive feelings.

However, it is also necessary to state that the reflection of the tragedy could be predicted, as some elements the image includes seem to be in abundance. For instance, the number of ships and the silence the image reflects, allow us to suppose that the artist probably reflected the perspective of a tragic event. Of course, at first sight, it seems that the artist depicted the so-called ongoing life and there is no more sense the image can reflect. When analyzing the whole production, one can state that some daily activities represent the key theme of the image. On the other hand, when analyzing some unusual aspects (colors, the arrangement of the objects), it becomes obvious that it may probably be a horrified protest the artist wanted to draw the viewers’ attention to.

The conclusion

The importance of visual elements

The sign of catastrophe the image reflects is difficult to notice. To say for sure what context the picture conveys, one is to be familiar with the art. In my opinion, the only sign of the tragedy is the color of the landscape. The context of the image can be judged from solemn tints of the landscape; however, the shapes and contours of the production do not cause any forebodings.