Analysis and Interpretation of Rio Di Santa Maria Formosa by John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent’s piece Rio di Santa Maria Formosa, was a near and dear painting he had created based off his many trips to Venice. Starting these trips in the 1880’s, he frequently painted watercolor scenery, often in a gondola. This painting in particular was created in 1905, on one of his escapades and gets its name from the Santa Maria Formosa church in Venice. This work is a landscape painting, made with watercolor over graphite and pen and ink on wove paper. This is a two dimensional contemporary piece and is a more realistic painting. It is representational based off of real life accounts from John and includes color, shape, texture, space, as well as line.

The colors include, light blues, and golds, along with some whites. This includes, the blue gondola and water, as well as blue accents in the buildings. Gold reflects on the water and on the bridge, brightening up the scenery and making it heavenly looking as well as happy feeling. White is seen in the buildings and sky space, as well as reflects on the water. The color scheme is most resembled by the monochromatic scheme. The shapes in this work are geometric, rectangles in the buildings and triangles creating the front of the gondolas. As far as the texture in this piece goes, it is visual. Because it is watercolor on wove paper the painting does not actually have real texture to it, however, how the water and shapes were painted in the picture creates the feeling of texture. Space is created by the use of proportion and depth. proportion and depth are used to create smaller buildings and a smaller bridge as well as their larger counterparts to create the feeling of some being closer or farther away to the viewer, and thus creating space. The lines created include vertical and horizontal, used in the buildings and bridges, creating movement and carrying the eye across the scenery.

As well as curved lines in the bottom of the bridges and the gondolas. The principles of design in this piece are harmony, movement, informal balance, and contrast. Harmony is created by the use of the objects included in the piece and the color scheme, creating a feeling of wholeness and happiness. Colors that compliment each other and similar shapes throughout. This piece shows movement by the line work and the illusion of waves moving in the water. It includes informal balance because the work is not completely symmetrical but still comes together to create a visually pleasing picture that makes sense. This is done by having some objects symmetrical such as the bridges yet other objects that have only a slightly symmetrical appearance such as the buildings and other gondolas. Finally, contrast is created through color, shadows, and lines.

The eye is directed across this piece through the bridges and buildings, up and down, as well as side to side. The first and main thing the eye is attracted to is the front gongola, it is the largest image in the painting and has beautiful colors contrasting it to the rest of the objects in the painting, such as the darkest hue of blue in the work. The gondola creates the feeling as if you are really sitting in the scenery and enjoying a ride through Venice. The background of this painting is made interesting by creating an almost neverending feeling to the work, as if it were a photograph taken and the picture keeps going beyond the borders. He accomplishes this by adding vertical lines on top of the bridges and designs in-between them for the side railings at the very edge of the painting. As well as the direction the water and main gondola seem to be going in not having an endpoint in sight.

The theory for this art piece is imitationalism, because it is representing a real life place and what that place includes. The motifs in this work are the gold and blue colors, curved lines and straight lines. Shadows and bright light, as well as smooth textures. I see the repetition and unity, the geometric shapes in the buildings and boats throughout the painting, as well as the colors. I think that this art piece’s meaning is happiness, peace, and dignity. It brought joy to John Sargant to visit Venice and i think he portrays that here with the bright colors and beautiful scenery. He named this piece after a famous church there, creating the possibility of him using this art form to show his respect to the monument.

The colors make you feel warm and comfortable, while the soft looking waves and what is portrayed to be a calm boat ride make you feel at peace. Dignity is in the fine details of the building as well as its purpose, It might have had some religious significance to John or maybe he noticed its significance to the people in Venice. Travel and joy are depicted in this picture, along with light and new learning experiences for all who wander. I think this way because of the bright lights, calming demeanor, soft movement, and historic religious significance that was subtly included in the piece. I believe this is Expressionistic, because the artist is showing his view of the world and what he takes from it. The artwork is a beautiful representation of first person accounts from the artist in his trips to Venice, he shows his joy of travel and interest in the important historical structures around him. He was able to tell a story of dignity and beauty in this work, in a way that catches the eye of its viewers. So in my own judgment i believe it is Expressionistic, and that the artist saw it in that way too.

In conclusion, John Singer Sargant was a outgoing man who wanted to share his views of the beautiful places he visited with the world. He wanted to tell a story with his pieces and create a feeling within his viewers. This art piece Rio di Santa Maria Formosa was created to view Venice from his perspective and take notice of the rich culture within it. I chose this piece for its beauty and vibrant color, to learn more about its forms and principals, and to have a better understanding of the elements of art. I believe i achieved my goal of learning more about Rio di Santa Maria Formosa, and John Sargant himself.