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Different Shades of Blue and Their Tones

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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.

This gallery shows how different shades of blue could represent different meanings for the audience and how they could potentially set different moods, or tones, that the audience would have to experience. These tones felt by the audience will help further help them understand the painting and the true stories behind them.

Midsummer Eve bonfire on Skagen's beach, P.S. Krøyer, 1906, From the collection of: Skagens Museum
Dark blue takes up most of the background on this painting, as the sky is dark and somewhat cloudy. The people standing around the fire are also casting shadows that appear to be a very light blue, as well. These blue colors could be perceived as calming and memorable. Many of these children would remember a night such as this, as the fire shines bright in the dark blue sky. The water appears to be calm and soothing underneath the shining moonlight. The people seem to be content, and the blue displayed in this painting really supports how the tone is affected for the audience.
Under the Yoke (Burning the Brushwood), Eero Järnefelt, 1893, From the collection of: Ateneum Art Museum
The blue in this painting expresses the sorrow and sadness the people in this painting are feeling. The little girl looking directly at the audience has a very saddened facial expression, the person next to her has very tattered clothing, and it gives off a depressing, sad, and the back ground of details provide a horrifying tone for the audience to experience. This painting expresses something that could of been going on during the time and tells a story to the audience who may not of known about this tragic accident.
The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh, 1889, From the collection of: MoMA The Museum of Modern Art
This painting is famously known for it's brilliant blue colors and for the designs they are presented in. Starry Night gives off the tone of content, peace, and quietness for the viewers of this particular painting. The town below the big blue sky looks quiet, as most of the lights are off in the houses. However, the sky shines bright with the stars and the moon, on the peaceful quiet night.
Portrait of Nini Lopez, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1876, From the collection of: MuMa - Musée d'art moderne André Malraux
The woman in this painting seems to have a saddened facial expression, looking down. The blue in this paint could express her sorrow, sadness, or disappointment in something that was currently going on during that time period. However, the blue could also provide of tone of being content and calm. Therefore, this painting could have several meanings to it for the audience due to the blue colors.
Summer evening on Skagen Sønderstrand, Peder Severin Krøyer, 1893, From the collection of: Skagens Museum
The shade of blue used in the painting is very lightly colored and fades off into the sky in most parts. The tone felt from this painting would be peace, beauty, and calm. The two women walking by the water appear to be enjoying one another's company and are walking along side the water to enjoy it's beauty. This painting could also provide a stress free feeling for the audience, as well.
A sergeant of the Light Horse, George W. Lambert, 1920, From the collection of: National Gallery of Victoria
There are several factors in this painting that could provide an accurate tone for the audience. However, the light blue sky in the background really catches the eye of the audience. The eyes of the man give off a tone that is worrisome, tired, and somewhat saddening. Blue is usually a color that gives a sense of sadness or calmness. From this, I feel both calmness and sadness are expressed and the blue sky really helps emphasize on those particular feeling.
The Alba Madonna, Raphael, c. 1510, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
There is quite a bit of blue used in this painting, covering the sky as well as the woman's dress and shoes. The mountains in the far distance also seem to appear in a light blue hue. I feel that the people portrayed in the painting are very content, relaxed and happy. Their facial expressions appear to be relaxed, and the blue color adds on to the relaxing tone of this painting.
Leapaway girl, Ian Scott (artist), 1969, From the collection of: Te Papa
There are several different shades of blue in this painting that really add meaning to it and helps draw the attention to it for the audience. The bright color of the blue water draws the attention of the audience to the interesting background in the painting. As the eye leads up the painting to the girl wearing the bright green dress, the sky is a darker blue behind her. It helps create a sense of creativity and imaginativeness for this particular painting.
The dark blue of the body of water creates a bright, beautiful background for the painting. Along with the expressions on the women's faces', the water provides a relaxing and happy tone for the audience to experience. There is also a blue book lying underneath the hammock, that also adds more meaning and detail to the painting.
The Loing at Saint-Mammès, Alfred Sisley, 1885, From the collection of: MuMa - Musée d'art moderne André Malraux
Even though the sky is mostly cloudy, there is still plenty of blue exposed from the sky. There is also a different shade of blue to the left on the painting in the river. This painting gives off a comfortable, "homey", and relaxed feeling for the audience.
Study of the Sky, Eugène Boudin, circa 1888 - 1895, From the collection of: MuMa - Musée d'art moderne André Malraux
I used this painting because there are several different shades of blue, and it is accompanied by the colors of white and grey. This gives the audience a lonely, yet calming, feeling.
Starry Night, Edvard Munch, 1893, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This painting provides various shades of blue, and together they give off a very quiet, cold, and calming tone to audience. Blue can be a very calming color for most people.
The Road from Versailles to Saint-Germain, Alfred Sisley, 1875, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
From this painting, as a viewer of the painting, I get a warm, happy and relaxed tone. The scenery is very peaceful and gives a great look over beautiful landscape, with a semi-cloudy sky.
The Balloon Apron, Dobson, Frank (RA), 1918, From the collection of: Imperial War Museums
In this painting, the blue sky gives off a happy, relaxed and happy feeling for the audience. It presents a clear sky on a beautiful day over a small country landscape. The blue also draws the attention of the audience to this painting.
Fire's on, Arthur Streeton, 1891, From the collection of: Art Gallery of New South Wales
The blue in this painting gives a relaxing, peaceful feeling for the audience. The sky is clear of all clouds and the small river gives a calm feeling to it.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
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