Running head: VISUAL ANALYSIS 1

Visual Analysis

English 101

September 30, 2018

Professor: Kandice Kardell

Doris Soriano-Parks

Arizona State University

VISUAL ANALYSIS 2

The following analysis describes two portraits of one historical figure. Both of the

portraits depict the same person in different circumstances, attitudes and elements. In this

portrait the woman is depicted very uniquely. Her facial expression shows a lot of emotion, her

eyes look welcoming and her mouth is shut but it seems as though she is about to let off a faded

smile. The couple wrinkles on her face makes assumption that she is a middle-aged woman. Her

attire seems to be one of those antique, raggedy clothing for cold weather; she wears a head-tie, a

blue long-sleeved shirt, a long skirt, a bandana around her collar and greenish-gold woolen

poncho. The way she is dressed says a lot about what generation she must be from (80’s or 70’s).

Her focal point is directly to the camera or the person in front of her. Her gesture shows one of
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greeting or embrace. She extends her right hand as a form of assistance or welcome, while she

leans toward whoever or whatever she is trying to reach out to. The setting of the portrait is very

detailed. It shows somewhere in the forest or an environment with a lot of trees because of all the

branches and leaves in the background. The foggy, pale-blue colored background leads the eyes

to believe this event is taking place either dusk or dawn. It is very windy, leaves are blowing all

over the place, and by the way the trees are leaning we can tell it is very strong winds. Additional

objects that add to the portrait is the kerosene lamp, this shows us that her vision may be

impaired due to the atmosphere’s conditions, and she needs supplementary light to get through.

Furthermore, the way she is slightly slanted seems like she is in motion to walk away after she

has held unto the person she is leaning towards. Based on the elements described, this portrait

may be used as a symbol convincing its audience that it is an image of a mother - illustrating a

mother’s love and how they are always ready to extend a helping hand to their children, even

through dark times.

VISUAL ANALYSIS 4

In this image the woman is portrayed as a very poised and noble individual. Her

gesture complements the way she places one hand on top of the next and stands up straight. Her

facial expression shows a lot of emotions, her eyes depict an adamant look, the way her nostrils

open up and she closes her mouth all shows a serious look in her face. She has wrinkles in her

face that makes her look middle-aged. Her focal point is directly in front of her, she is looking at

the person taking the picture. Her clothing looks royal; she has a long-sleeved shirt, long skirt,

and a fancy looking ruffled white scarf like those that kings from back in the 60’s wore. She also

has a jacket that she wears with her outfit-it is placed on the chair that she’s standing next to. The

setting isn’t very clear but with detail provided it seems as though she is in an office. There’s a

book on a round table behind her next to a fancy pillar in the wall and an old-fashioned chair she

is standing next to. There aren’t additional objects, but due to her braids and hair texture we can

tell she is a Black woman. Contrary to the first portrait, and based on its elements, this image

may be symbolizing royalty or a high-class black woman from the 80’s.

Compared to the first image the second one depicts the lady as someone not as warm

as she initially looked. Her facial expressions are totally different; she looks welcoming in one

and the other she does not look approachable. Her attire in the first portrait looks casual,

compared to the fancy looking outfit in the second portrait. Using the language analysis

elements, we can see that in both portraits the focal point is the woman, she is the main focus. In

both, the background complements the focal point. The environment in the background of

portrait 1, matched the woman and so did the one in portrait 2. In the first portrait the artist

depicted the woman in a closer proximity than that of the second one. At first, she is leaning

forward while extending her hand and then she is standing with a straight posture. Both of the

portraits have similar attire (button-down long-sleeved shirt and long skirt) however, one is
VISUAL ANALYSIS 5

casual and the other more formal. Both portraits show the same woman, but one is in black and

white and shows more seriousness and the first one is colored and shows more warmth and

emotion. The second one shows an antique picture of the woman, while the first one has light

colors but looks more modern. Both pictures have the same visual line starting from the focal

point. In portrait 1 the woman looks like she’s in a hurry and portrait two she looks sophisticated

and calm. Based on the two portraits it is difficult to determine who the woman actually is.

However, based on the individual elements I still believe she can be portrayed as a mother. In the

first image we see a mother’s love, comfort and guidance, while in portrait 2 we see a mother’s

seriousness and assertive side/personality.

VISUAL ANALYSIS 6

References

Lewis. J. (2018, February 28). Harriet Tubman Picture Gallery. Retrieved from

https://www.thoughtco.com/harriet-tubman-picture-gallery-4122880 .

Fredrickson. M. (2017, June 2). Fineartamerica. Retrieved from

https://fineartamerica.com/art/digital+art/forest .