In the school curriculum, one of the favorite tasks of teachers of Russian and literature is writing an essay on a given picture. But it is not always clear how best to do this and where to start. For many, this task is difficult, so they are forced to seek help on the Internet or simply write off ready-made works. This article proposes a convenient plan for describing a picture with an example so that students can understand the features of such an essay and understand how to do this assignment for the top five.
Where to begin
As in any other essay on school subjects, work begins with thinking through a clear structure and sequence of presentation of thoughts. This does not mean at all that you are limited in creativity - you are only offered a description plan that will help you correctly transfer your ideas to paper. Here is the sequence to keep in mind:
- Introduction
- Description of the front and central plans of the picture.
- Background.
- Characteristic color scheme.
- Your feelings.
- Conclusions.
We disassemble the plan of the essay-description of the picture
The first part of this kind of work is always the introduction. This is the paragraph that provides the reader with basic and important details. Here it is necessary to indicate capacious excerpts from the biography of the author of the work of art, the prevailing style of his work. It is also necessary to mention any facts related to the creation described: how much the author worked on it, which was a prerequisite for its creation. Try to make the introduction concise and avoid cliches if you want to create a truly interesting description of the picture according to the plan presented in this article.
Next, the main part is written, which includes paragraphs 2-5. First, attention is paid to the center of the composition of the picture, since it was on the main object that the author wanted to concentrate the viewer's eyes. Describe what it is: if it is a landscape, then the center may be a river, forest, tree (what are they?); if a portrait - who is his main character, what are the distinguishing features that are striking; if the work is on a historical topic, then what event is unfolding on it and who is participating in it.
Pay attention also to the background of the picture, the author could place something equally important on it or supplement the picture with it so that it makes a proper impression. Do not forget to describe the intended atmosphere of the work - it is calm or lively, joyful or melancholy, singing or making fun of.
Then, according to the plan for describing the picture, the characteristic of the color gamut follows. Analyze whether it is warm or cold, which shades prevail in it. Often it is through colors that the author conveys his feelings, so you need to pay special attention to the palette. After all this has been described, proceed to the statement of your feelings: what did you think about when you looked at the work, what associations it evoked, mentally transfer to the canvas - what you feel when you are there.
The final part is the conclusion throughout your essay. It, like the introduction, should be concise and reflect the main thoughts of the work, complement them.
Useful tricks
For your essay to arouse the reader’s interest, take note of a few useful tricks.
- Use an epigraph. If there are signs suitable for your composition or the described picture, phrases, stanzas from poems, then there is no reason not to use them. The only thing to consider is the rules for the design of epigraphs. Relevant quotes are also a good welcome.
- Receive consistent descriptions. In addition to the sequence given in terms of describing the picture, you can adhere to the principle of reflecting the details of the work from the bottom up.
- Magnification. See all the details through a magnifying glass: mark what others might not have noticed.
M. Vrubel, "The Demon Sitting." An example of a description of a picture according to plan
Mikhail Vrubel is an outstanding artist who worked at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. He has worked in many genres of fine art. His paintings are permeated with depth of feelings and anxious anxiety. Not an exception is the work "The Demon Sitting", created at the dawn of his creative activity, in 1890. She was one of the many illustrations to M. Yu. Lermontov's poem "Demon" and now has found its permanent place in the Tretyakov Gallery.
The protagonist of this work is a young man, nicknamed his creator "demon", looking thoughtfully into the distance. He is dressed only to the waist, and his beautiful face, long curly hair, folded arms and muscularity completely do not allow the viewer to imagine that there can be at least something demonic in him, because the picture reflects more sadness than evil authority. Unprecedented flowers flaunt in the background, which amaze with the severity of their forms, and a bewitching scarlet sunset. This product is dominated by warm shades of flowers: from pale yellow to bright pink. At the same time, the color of the demon’s clothes and some shades of plants contrast with them, demonstrating the opposition of this creature to the world and some alienation.
This picture evokes mixed feelings: in spite of the fact that the demon is an unkind creature, it becomes a pity at the sight of grief in the eyes. There is a certain sadness in this picture, as it becomes clear how lonely and sad the hero depicted on it is. There is an inexplicable desire to help him, while there is a certain anxiety, because this is not a person.
The painting "Demon Sitting" is filled with deep meaning, which Mikhail Vrubel skillfully reflected in it. The artist himself wrote about his work: "The demon is not so much evil spirit as suffering and mournful, with all this, imperious, majestic spirit ..." Thus, it becomes clear that the author is full of compassion for his hero, which is impossible not to penetrate when you consider this work.
Using as an example this essay, written according to the plan for describing a picture given in this article, you can do the same with any other work of art.