Windows ...

While experimenting with compositions I have become interested in the symbolism of windows. Throughout art and literature windows have been considered to be representative of separation from the outside world. Furthermore, a window provides the individual with a narrow view as they cannot see beyond what the window is showing them - thus suggesting that they have a limited view of the world. Existentially, the individual is sheltered by the window and protected by any of the hazards that exist on the outside.

This concept has lead my research into artists who have depicted windows in their own pieces to provoke a certain theme or mood. 

Study in Sunlight (1906)

One painter I have been looking at is Vilhelm Hammersoi (1864-1916). I was initially drawn to his work due to the simplicity of it as well as it's haunting melancholic tone. 

Hammershoi often painted the empty rooms of his house but occasionally the painter would include ambiguous figures in his paintings, with their backs towards the viewer. This is an ambiguity that I can liken to some of Baines' work. 


From looking at this image (left) Hammersoi seems to have been working with a limited pallette, which makes his painting seem monotonous. The sunlight, projected through the window conjures a sense of mystery, this is mainly because the window depicted in this painting is translucent therefore stopping the viewer from seeing what exists beyond it - however the sunlight provides a clue. This sense of mystery can be detected when looking at many paintings  by Hammersoi. 

Interior from Strandgade (1901)

Another example of this can be seen when looking at Hammersoi's piece Interior from Strandgade which depicts his wife, Ida, facing away from the viewer while sitting with her head tilted downwards.   It can be seen that the artists has used the same setting for this particular piece however, this time, the windows have curtains hanging from them, which emphasises the individual being 'shut off' from the outside world. The fact that we cannot see beyond the window makes the viewer feel as if they are 'trapped' within the painting this, therefore, creates the need for an escape - making the viewer feel anxious. 

(Source(s): http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2008/august/vilhelm-hammersh%C3%B8i-and-the-poetry-of-silence http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/25/art.denmark http://www.theartroomonline.net/2012_10_01_archive.html )

 This is my attempt at creating a sketch of Hammershoi's piece.

I wanted to focus on the geometric shapes as a lot of Hammershoi's paintings have a very geometric style.