Homework #3

 I started this assignment by viewing numerous pictures of art as if I where in an art gallery.  I am not sure if I choose the painting of a Gypsy Dancer because of the colors that stand out to me or if it is that this topic is of interest to me.  The colors grabbed my attention leading me to feel the painter has captured the culture well with the beautiful colors in the painting.  Gypsy's wear multiple colors that may or may not match.  With this culture the more colorful the better.  The artist has included jewels, scarves, belts and the corset, which is authentic to this culture.  The artist has included great detail on the scarf and the corset.  The artist has painted the Gypsy Girl dancing which is a long handed down tradition and feel the artist is trying to capture this.  The facial expression he has captured is one of happiness and pleasure that is brought on by dance.  The artist has chosen colors that blend well together but also stand out to capture the beauty of the Gypsy Girl and the viewer's eyes.  In my opinion this is a simple painting  but is able to tell a lot of the culture and activity that was painted.  My first opinion of this painting was that the artist was trying to capture the beauty of the Gypsy Dancer, her clothing and her dance until I asked a co worker what her opinion of it was.  She informed me that her opinion was one of a culture that was dirty bums, scary due to spells and the Gypsy girl looks sad, almost expressionless and the colors where a blend of darkness.  I was shocked at this conclusion, which altered mine.  My second opinion also included, not only was the artist tying to capture the beauty of the Gypsy Dancer, her fine clothing and her dance but also the happiness, pride and elegance of this subject.  I also realized that colors that stood out to me and I viewed as beautiful where viewed as dark to another.