Congratulations on receiving an Art History Honorable Mention/ Fall 2024 and best wishes ongoing to:
MARIELLE HICKEY, a junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
“Closing in on my first year in the Art History and Museum Professions major and Fashion History Theory and Culture minor, I have loved every second. I have the most encouraging professors and classmates and I am so passionate about what I’m learning. Through this program I have gotten the opportunity to learn about the various careers in museum work and visit some of the best museums in the world in my classes. We have been so lucky to get behind the scenes interviews with industry workers at every well known museum in the city. I find this field incredibly interesting and rewarding and I am actively looking to soak up as much knowledge as possible.”
Honorable Mention ESSAY: Compare and contrast the 2 paintings below:
These two paintings Eileen Monaghan Whitaker’s “Piscis Faustinius” and Frederic Whitaker’s “Fully Equipped Dragon in Flight” offer intriguing comparisons and contrasts in their artistic approaches, themes, and styles. The Latin title of Piscis Faustinius suggests that there are some hints of mythology or the figure might be associated with supernatural beings. The sheer size of the fish and the mushrooms or fungus growing also give the effect that the creature is prehistoric or immortal. The proportions and size could al
so allude to the domination of this species. Often times, the creatures far beneath the depths of the surface live exponentially longer. Fully Equipped Dragon in Flight implies a sense of whimsy or adventure, with the dragon depicted in motion. The dragon also indicates a theme of the supernatural. Both are watercolor paintings, but there is a definite difference in brushstrokes between the two. Eileen’s has a softer approach, with the scales showing the majority of the texture, adding depth and dimension. There is a fluidity in her brushstrokes that blur together. The transparency of the background makes the sea creature quite intense. The layering of colors, and the control of the strokes highlight the precision and skill required to achieve the level of detail present in the painting. Frederic’s has a more cloudy, impressionistic approach. His thicker brushwork is bold with rich colors, capturing movement and energy. He uses the balance of light and shadow that gives a heaviness to the backdrop. Both creatures are suspended in the air, the fish in a more sedentary way other than the movement of water drips, and the dragon appears to be actively flying. The fish does not give a comforting feel because of the rigid, sharp teeth, which could allude to the expansiveness of the unseen waters and what could be lurking below. In contrast, the dragon has a more majestic and noble feel. Dragons often represent wisdom and that translates to this painting. The dragon itself is not menacing, but the deep maroon engulfing the background emotes an unsettling smokiness. This contrast in lighting contributes to the overall mood and atmosphere of the painting, as if flying away from a battle, into safety. The birds in the background also add to the emotion. Specifically the vibrant red and blue bird in the bottom left corner, shares the grandeur that the dragon gives off. Its expression contributes to the idea that the dragon deserves awe. The other birds feel as though they are like circling vultures with a bird’s eye view of what is taking place. As for the fish painting, the vibrancy of the water presents a sense of wonder and imagination. The slight curling of the waves in addition to the stillness in the blue water in the back show the versatility of the seas. Along with that, the sun is full and in its downward phase of the day communicating another day has come and gone in the life cycle. This gives the feeling of internality. In all, these paintings show the versatility of watercolor and the emotions that can be evoked.
Leave a Reply