Principles

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

This piece is called "The Astronomer" by Johannes Vermeer. It is an example of asymmetrical balance. The painting is amazingly balanced, yet clearly not symmetrical. The man on one side and the globe on the other balance each other and direct our attention to exactly where he wanted us to focus. Plus his use of light and dark help to balance the asymmetry as well.

EMPHASIS

This piece is called "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Georges de La Tour. It is an example of emphasis. Here, he uses dim light on the faces of everyone but a bright light on the entire baby. This draws the viewer's eye to the focal point. This, along with the angling of the people towards the baby, achieves his goal. 

REPETITION AND RHYTHM

This piece is called "Confrontation at the Bridge" by Jacob Lawrence. This is an example of repetition and rhythm. He uses several of the same colors (red, yellow, blue, white) in the water below and in the clothing above. These repetitions create a rhythm. The rhythm is also apparent in the shapes of the clouds which seem to be moving along with the water. And the railing colors (black and green) also are used in the clothing.

CONTRAST/VARIETY

This piece is called "The Flagellation of Christ" by Caravaggio. This is an example of using contrast for emphasis. Here, Caravaggio uses the rhythm of the characters but uses the light falling on them to direct where the viewer's attention should be. The torturers are dimmer than Christ, making us focus on him. But he has also made sure we notice that his leg has bent because he is being kicked yet his hair is being held. The use of light and dark and movement of people has given the painting rhythm but with the contrasts, has also given it emphasis. 

VISUAL MOVEMENT

This piece is called "The Triumph of Galatea" by Raphael. It is an example of visual movement. In this masterpiece, the angles all make the viewer's eye direct to the center figure, Galatea. The angels crossbows and the arms and directions of the peoples' angles in the water do the same. This bring everything in the painting to a center and main focal point.

SCALE AND PROPORTION

This piece is called "The Beach at Trouville" by Claude Monet. It is an example of scale and proportion. This broad painting uses color and linear perspective to create both scale and proportion. The people walking along the boardwalk are larger than the people down at the crest of the beach because they are more in the foreground and therefore should appear larger. The same goes for the buildings. As the painting goes from edge to center, they follow the focal point and the vanishing point to show their scale.