DrapedDeath By R S Beal

Context:

Death is the permanent end of the life of a biological organism. Death may refer to the end of life as either an event or condition. Many factors can cause or contribute to an organism's death, including predation, disease, habitat destruction, senescence, malnutrition and accidents. The principal causes of death in developed countries are diseases related to aging.Traditions and beliefs related to death are an important part of human culture, and central to many religions. In medicine, biological details and definitions of death have become increasingly complicated as technology advances. (Wikipedia)

Actual Meaning:

I cannot find any reference of an actual meaning for this painting.

What I Think it Means:

This painting i feel is supposed to show that death might be judging us yet waiting for the world to end at the same time. i feel the artist has tried to show death as a major priority in life but this painting is very surreal and i think it would be something you probably see within a dream or a nightmare. whereas the drawing of this image is more realistic but i feel it is a very boring approach to death itself.

Materials:

This painting was created using oil paints. the artist also created this painting in pencil. the materials used on these images make the image work in different ways. the image created by oil paints is bright and vibrant and makes it look slightly happy although death is nothing to be happy about it works to the paintings advantage. the pencil drawing is much more subtle giving it a very cold feeling about it making it slightly more effective yet boring.

Overall judgment on the work as a piece of communication.

i think this image communicates death as well as it could because of the bright that the artist has used although the paintings contain a well thought out composition. In a way it almost shows death as a happy think which is rather disturbing. I think out of the 2 images I prefer the pencil drawing as it shows death in a slightly more complex way due to the fact that he is now black and white and i suppose the subject of death is seen in a very simular way to that. the drawing looks as if it was made as a book illustration and is very lightly drawn at the same time as if it supposed to look worn out.

Here is my response to this painting and how i perceive it: