Composition: A Series of Exercises in Art Structure for the use of Students and Teachers
"Study of composition of Line, Mass and Color leads to appreciation of all forms of art and of the beauty of nature. Drawing of natural objects then becomes a language of expression." Published first in 1913, with nearly 20 years of teaching art experience, Dow's book begins to define aesthetic qualities important in art. In the introduction of his book, Dow emphasizes that his structured teaching method is radically different than the existing thoughts in the art education field. Yet, he believes that his method outlines a progression of aesthetic understanding. He states that "Composition, building up of harmony, is the fundamental process in all the fine arts." His three main elements of composition include: Line, Notan, and Color. These three elements have an interrelated relationship and are dependent upon each other for the harmonious completion of a composition. The book is organized as a series of practice drawings, each building upon the skills of previous exercises, much like a workbook. Dow states, "Effective progress in composition depends upon working with an organized and definite series of exercises, building one experience upon another..." (p.21). He stressed craftsmanship and the attention to details and his 'synthetic' system encouraged original compositions created through the elements and principles he developed. He believed that art should be learned through studying the elements of composition, rather than simply imitating nature. He believed students should be inspired by reality, but was not an advocate of copying from reality. Dow still believed in choice, as it helps to create individuality. He states, "poverty of ideas is no charaMany of his ideas and lessons were tested, in 1889 when we was teaching in Boston and at his Summer School in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His ideas transformed into other mediums like pottery, and textiles. Practicing the creation of good composition, harmonies, is the first step in being creative in any field of art. The purpose of art educators was to teach all people through art, as it would disseminate beauty and appreciation into other subject matter and in our everyday life. In conclusion, Dow states, "The book will have accomplished its purpose if I have made clear the character and meaning of art structure - if the student can see that out of a harmony of two lines may grow a Parthenon pediment of a Sorbonne hemicycle;...that anything in art is possible when freedom is given to the divine gift APPRECIATION." According to Dow, how is a good composition, or harmony, achieved?
Principles of Design, as outlined by Dow:
It is also important to note that around the time this book was published, art historians were very concerned about discovering a formalist approach to critiquing artworks; being able to analyze an artwork free of personal taste judgments.
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O'Keeffe once said of Dow's theory that "it could be used to make every aesthetic decision. It also provided an alphabet, so to speak, that could be arranged and rearranged, resulting in a great deal of individualism." |