Subject

Students Name

Institution of Affiliation

Date

Theme of Love in Art

The Fisherman and the Syren by Frederic Leighton, 1858

Date and region: 1857; United Kingdom

Style: AcademicismGenre: mythological paintingMedia: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 48.9 x 66.4 cm

The artwork is a depiction of the seductive and the destructive power of the female sexuality. The image is a depiction of the entwined bodies of a man and a siren mermaid who embraces one another and seem to be deeply in love. The fisherman is depicted in full-length but his ankles are already submerged in the water. The fisherman lies on a red mantle set against the rocks with his body posed on the brink of sliding into the sea. The fisherman’s head is slumped to one side and his arms being outstretched in the form of a crucifix. He is clothed in a red lion cloth and a red cap. The woman if fully naked with her legs submerged into the water up to her knees. The posture to which they pose is a depiction of people making love as the Syren’s body is pressed against the fisherman and thus, the primary theme from the image is the theme of love.

In Bed, The Kiss by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

Date: 1892

Style: Post-ImpressionismMedia: Oil Paint on Canvas

Genre: History painting

Dimensions: 45 cm x 60 cm

The image is a strong depiction of the theme of love. It features two women that are caught in passionate moment, deep kissing while in bed. The epitome of the image depicts a pleasurable and a sensual delight. The color scheme used to decorate the image is brilliant and includes shades of red and yellow that are subdued by grey, blue and green colors. The enchanting masterpiece of the image expresses the tender love shared by the couple, as though they were fearful of being separated from one another. The image is an intimate and accurate portrait of love. Despite the dominant role that the theme of love tend to play throughout the world of art, there are rare representations of as strong connection that is shared between two individuals that captures their feelings for one another in a down-to-earth and domestic setting. The two women are in bed, halfway covered with a blanket and it’s kind of they are making love thus attaining the theme of love in the image.

Le Printemps (Spring) – Pierre Auguste Cot

Date: 1873

Style: French Romantic Academic Classicism

Media: Oil on Canvas

Dimensions: 84 x 50 in. (213.4 x 127 cm)

The image is a depiction of the theme of love as it is composed of a flirtatious duo who are scantily dressed. They are painted with a notable technical finesse reflecting Cot’s allegiance to the academic style of his teachers. The looks on the eye of the woman in the image is a clear depiction that she is in love and this can be backed up by her reactions as well as her dressing code. Based from the image, the duo are enjoying their leisure, something that is romantic, alone in the forest, spending quality time together. The best time to spend quality time is in the evening when the sun is setting and the environment is cool, no scorching sun and no interruptions from other people giving the couple ample time to enjoy. Couples spend time together as an indication of love and therefore, the image is a clear depiction of the theme of love.

Works Cited

Hammerschlag, Keren. “The Deathly Sleep of Frederic Leighton’s Painted Women.” Women: A Cultural Review 23.2 (2012): 201-215.

Parker, Josh. Toulouse-Lautrec: Paintings. Josh Parker, 2015.

Ruhrberg, Karl, et al. Art of the 20th Century. Taschen, 2000.