Principles of Balance and Composition in Ancient Art
1. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
CONTRAST
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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2. BALANCE
DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
BALANCE
the play of the Art Elements that creates a sense of
stability within the artwork. It is the achievement of
equilibrium, a condition in which active influences are
held in check by opposing forces.
Kinds of Visual Balance:
Symmetry: (Formal Balance) Dividing the art, usually
vertically, and having the same thing on both sides.
Radial Balance is also symmetrical. Here the design is
centered with its Elements radiating outward.
Asymmetry: (Informal Balance) The balance of various
elements around a felt or implied center of gravity.
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3. EXAMPLES OF BALANCE
Discuss the BALANCE displayed in these art works.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India 1632-1648
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4. EXAMPLES OF BALANCE
IN ANCIENT ART
Discuss the BALANCE used in these 2 artworks.
The Transfiguration, St. Catherine, Egypt, c. Hercules Strangling the Serpents, Pompeii, CE 63-79
560
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5. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
CONTRAST
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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6. Discuss the directional forces in
these 2 religious structures.
Chartres Cathedral, France, c.
1170 CE
Stupa, Sanchi, India, 3rd c. BCE
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7. EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
IN ANCIENT ART
Laocoon, Roman, 1CE Hercules, Pompeii, 63-79 CE
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8. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRAST
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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9. The Design Principle of
CONTRAST
Contrast is the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar
elements. (i.e. dark/light)
This design relies on
the CONTRAST of
what Art Element, in
particular, in its
design?
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10. The Design Principle of
CONTRAST
Discuss the CONTRASTS within and between these 2 artworks.
• Augustus of Prima Porta, Rome, marble, 1 CE
• Court of Justinian, Ravenna, It, mosaic, c. 547
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11. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRAST
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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12. THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
EMPHASIS, or
FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
This Principle helps you answer the question:
• How does the artist bring the viewer's attention to the most
important area of the composition (its center of interest) ?
• What and where is the FOCAL POINT?
• This may be accomplished by various means:
– something in the work actually pointing to the focal point
– the focal area being much lighter or darker than the rest of the work
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13. In each artwork below there is an emphasis on ONE of the figures.
How is our attention directed to him? What elements are used?
What is subordinated?
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14. EXAMPLES OF THE PRINCIPLE OF
FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
Ste.-Foy Church, Fr.
Bayeux Tapestry, detail
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15. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRAST
.- EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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16. THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
PROPORTION & SCALE
• Proportion has to do
with size relationships
between parts of the
whole.
• Scale is size in
relation to a "normal"
concept, to what is
surrounding it, its
context.
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17. PROPORTION
•Proportion has to do
with size relationships Here Nebamun is shown much larger than
between parts to the his wife and daughter. This is “hierarchical”
proportion and signifies his importance.
whole.
•Does the largest figure
(Nebamun) seem fairly
“well-proportioned” in
comparison to a normal
human being?
•Consider the size of his
arms & legs as they
relate to his whole
body.
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18. PROPORTION
continued
• Many artists use the correct
proportions to depict realistic
works, while other artists
exaggerate and distort to
express moods and
experiences.
• Nefertiti, Egypt, 1300s BCE
• Sumerian Statuettes,2600 BCE
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19. PROPORTIONS
•Consider the bodily proportions
of the children in these artworks.
What aspect of the body makes
a figure look more like a young
child?
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20. • Scale is size in relation to
something else: what is
surrounding it, its
context.
• Scale refers to the size
relationship between an object
and a standard reference, such as
the human body.
• The scale of an object can range
from minute to monumental,… or
scale of an object within a design
can be correct or exaggerated
depending on the intention of the
artist.
• Why is St.Louis bigger than the
person kneeling below him? What
role do you think the worshiper
plays in this artwork?
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21. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRAST
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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22. THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
• Rhythm is usually
created by repetition
of one or more of the
Art Elements.
• Visual movement
is implied through
emphasizing
direction.
.
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23. Another beautiful example of visual
rhythm.
What Art elements are creating rhythm here?
Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain,c.787
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24. WHERE DO YOU SEE RHYTHM AND A SENSE OF MOVEMENT IN
THIS ARTWORK?
Temple of Quetzalcoatl, Teotihuacan, Mexico, c. 300 CE
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25. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRAST
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATION
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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26. THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
UNITY AND VARIETY
• Unity is the sense of oneness, the
coherent whole of a work.
• Variety refers to differences within the
whole which provide interest.
Unity and variety form a spectrum
between blandness and disorder.
Too much sameness or repetition can lead to a boring artwork, too
much variety may appear disordered or chaotic.
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27. Do you sense UNITY in these photos?
Which has more VARIETY?
Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain,c.787
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28. What creates VARIETY in this cathedral?
How is the whole UNIFIED?
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, 1555
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29. REVIEW:
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRAST
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
PROPORTION & SCALE
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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