Analyzing Gustave Courbet's 'Fox In The Snow'

1118 Words3 Pages

Thesis: In “Fox in the Snow”, Gustave Courbet uses visual elements of line, shape, emphasis, rhythm, and variety to express the nature in capturing the fox eating its prey to show the importance of survival.
The medium of the oil canvas painting, “Fox in the Snow”, was created by Gustave Courbet in 1860; representing nature as the fox eating its prey. The “Fox in the Snow” is approximately 44 3/8 x 61 x 5 1/4 inches in dimension and currently located at the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, Texas in the European Department. Gustave Courbet uses fine details to catch the viewer’s eye on details such as blood gushing from the mouse onto the white snow. Courbet uses the objects of everyday life; by using different aspects to express nature bring together different techniques of art to make the painting come to life. It is clearly represented that Gustave Courbet uses elements of lines, shape, emphasis, rhythm, and variety to express nature’s survival importance, providing evidence of the fox eating its prey.
The main characters of the “Fox in the Snow” are the fox and the mouse. The proud fox, serving as the main point of focus and predator, seems delighted as he devours his prey. From the fluffiness of the fox’s tail, to the overall furriness look projecting …show more content…

The position of the fox’s body comes together and creates directional and communicative lines. These lines communicate together and directs the viewer’s eye around the composition. Each line used, leads to more detail such as different uses of color, shadowing of the rocks, and certain tints of color to give a better understanding of the fox’s environment. The only real shape shown in the painting is the frozen body of water, which is giving off a triangular shape. The color of the fox’s fur appears as a warm red, orange, and brown mixture. The cool colors of composition include the whiteness of the snow and blueish tint in the shadows around the

Open Document