Dimensions: support: 908 x 2089 mm frame: 1243 x 2436 x 185 mm
Copyright: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: "Val d’Arno: Evening" by Matthew Ridley Corbet is a landscape that evokes a sense of tranquility, but the figure in black seems almost burdened by it. What cultural symbols do you recognize? Curator: The figure, draped in black, certainly creates an interesting focal point. Consider how black has been used in art through the ages – mourning, contemplation, solemnity. Do you think that symbolism is at play here? Editor: It's possible. The vista is beautiful, but the figure's isolation, combined with the black robe, suggests introspection. Curator: Precisely. The landscape acts as a stage for this internal drama. Even the setting sun carries symbolic weight—a conclusion, a time for reflection. Corbet’s masterful use of light enhances this meditative quality. Editor: Seeing the symbolic language definitely enriches my understanding of the painting. Curator: Indeed. And that’s the power of art, isn’t it? To speak to us across time through symbols and emotions.
Comments
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
Lincolnshire born Corbet studied at the newly opened Slade School of Art and later at the Royal Academy Schools where he was taught by Frederic Leighton. In 1880 he went to Italy for three years where he studied under Giovanni Costa in Rome. This painting shows the influence of Costa’s ‘Etruscan’ style of composition with its long horizontal format, simplified form and use of colour and tone to evoke the fall of light. Gallery label, November 2016
CollectMore like this
