Talking about paintings

Talking about paintings

Language focus

47.1
This picture really appeals to me. It shows a couple embracing. It’s very decorative, very stylised and
very striking. The colours are rich and intense. The use of gold and patterns is very distinctive. I think it’s
passionate. Of course it’s about love, but it also has an immense sense of calm.
47.2
This is a very bold and dramatic image – an equestrian portrait with the horse rearing up and the rider,
Napoleon, indicating the way up. The background mountain scenery is wild and dramatic, and the
movement of the horse’s mane and tail and the cloak emphasises the drama. It makes you feel small as
you’re looking up at this figure. Which was intended, of course. The colours – the red of the cloak, the white
of the horse and the dark grey of the clouds – create strong contrasts. All of the lines are sharply defined
and the light and the shadow on the horse’s body and on his cloak are really skilfully done. It really conveys
a sense of power and victory, in a very idealised way.
47.3
I love this painting. It’s so colourful, so bright, so exciting. There are lots of different colours – reds, oranges,
blues, greens, yellows. You can stare at it for ages and see so many different things in it. It’s an abstract
painting, and very decorative with its rich colours and variety of shapes and lines.
47.4
This is a so-called action painting, or an example of abstract expressionism. The artist dripped, poured
or threw his paint onto the canvas. There are lots of swirling lines and blobs of colour. It’s mainly yellow,
orange, and black and white. It’s very evocative. It gives a sense of dynamism and spontaneity, even chaos
I think. It’s very exciting to look at.
47.5
This is a very well-known portrait. It’s lifelike, though idealised. The light is captured very well, and the large
shiny pearl earring really stands out. Her face has a luminous quality. And the way she’s turning and looking
at you really captures your attention. It’s an intriguing portrait, a bit mysterious and very appealing. Some
people say it’s the northern European Mona Lisa.

1 U047CEU 1805 ©British Council