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Dana Lapp

Professor Kardell

ENG101

5 November 2018

Writing Project 2-Visual Analysis-Final Draft

A visual analysis is how one observes and understands certain aspects of a piece of art.

When analyzing a portrait, it is important to focus on things such as facial expression, gesture,

clothing, setting, color, objects, and focal point. The facial expression, color, and gesture can

help infer the emotion within a portrait. Clothing can help decide the socioeconomic status of the

person, and the period they were living in. Objects can help add to what the individual was

known for. Lastly, the focal point helps the audience decide what the focus and meaning of the

portrait is. In both portraits, with the use of the above strategies, the individual is someone who

was relied on by many, was passionate and had lots of power yet remained humble to themselves

and many others.

In the first portrait, the figure can immediately be seen as the focal point of the painting.

The second noticeable detail is their gesture. They are standing upright, facing slightly towards

the right. Their right arm, feet, eyes, and head are all facing the same direction. Their regal

stance seems strong which represents their pride and nobility. Their face displays features such

as pale skin, possibly of European descent, bold brow bones, high cheekbones, bright bluish-grey

eyes, a large forehead, and a straight nose. In the corners of his eyes and mouth, there are also
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wrinkles, meaning they are on the older side. Despite being older, their features seem to describe

him as someone who is kind and of power rather than someone who is old and weak. The figure

is wearing a formal black suit, with a white ruffled shirt peeking out at the wrists and chest. It is

matched with black slacks and black dress shoes that are detailed with buckles. This attire does

not jump out as wealthy, but rather plain and comfortable. Perhaps the character was trying to

lower their own social status in attempts to become closer to their desired audience. The next

noticeable detail is the symbolic objects and setting of the portrait. The setting of the portrait

seems to be in a portico. In this portico, there are multiple columns, all with red curtains and

drapes hanging from them. The portico symbolizes higher power and social status due to its

history of housing those who were more popular. In addition, red commonly represents strength,

power, and determination; yet at the same time, it represents passion, desire and love. Each of

these further proves his strength, humble personality, and passionate ways. On the right side of

the portrait behind the figure is a large chair. At the head of the chair is an emblem that has an

American flag. Behind the drapes, and out the window on the left are dark, angry clouds, but

further to the right also out the window is a rainbow. In the direction that the figure is pointing,

in the bottom left-hand corner of the portrait is a table. It seems that the figure is gesturing

towards the inkwell. The inkwell is in the shape of an ark which is known as a biblical symbol

where Noah and 2 of every specimen of animal survived the storms of Gods wrath. Right in front

of the inkwell and quill is a small figurine of a dog. Dogs are known as loyal, trustworthy, and

conservative creatures, like the figure in the portrait. Lastly, on the legs of the table, there are

eagles. Eagles are known for being powerful and flying higher than most species of birds;

therefore, relating to the figure in the portrait who had lots of power and did a lot for the people

around him. Scattered around the table, books such as the Constitution, Federalist, Journals of
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Congress, General Orders, American Revolution, and Bylaws lay. Access to books like this

means that this figure had to have had higher social power than an ordinary person. Based on

these symbols, it can be assumed and related back to this man being humble and a leader. Solely

relying on these details, the figure may have been helping people through hard times. The figure

may have been pointing to the books which seemed to be in a dark corner of the room as corrupt

beliefs, and the rainbow and light shining on his face were most likely referring to him as the

way to another chance.

In the second portrait, the figure is also the focal point. In this portrait, the figure is

leaning back, with both of his arms extended outwards. The figures face looks rather stressed,

despite their position which seems calm. Their mouth is straight, and their eyes are looking

down. The man also has open hands leading the belief that he is accepting what is currently

happening. The people that surround him are of major significance. They all look as though they

are grieving. They are all below him hunched over, with their faces down. In the middle of these

people is a gravestone, meaning these people are grieving the death of someone whom they cared

about. On the left, center of the portrait, there is a woman looking at the figure and pointing up at

the sky with an open hand. Behind the figure, is two angels that are lifting him up from clouds.

Breaking through dark, stormy clouds is a beam of light. The dark clouds represent the grieving

the people are doing, and the white clouds the man is leaning into represent his pureness and the

good that he has done. Remaining below the figure is people dressed in combinations of red,

white and blue, an eagle looking up at the sky, and a shield decorated as an American flag. At

the very bottom of the portrait is an empty set of battle armor. This represents how the figure

fought for what he believed and did all he could to help and stand up for what he loved.
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In both pictures, it could be seen how the individual was seen someone who was relied on

by many and had lots of power yet remained humble to themselves and others. Both portraits

used biblical references to metaphorically display this individual as a God because of how he

was strong and had lots of power. Both also displayed the figure with an open hand meaning that

the figure was willing to help. Both had dark clouds in the background but light shining on the

figures face, meaning that the figure was important in that time because they were the light in

dark times and that there was hope when it was needed. There are a few differences between the

two portraits that stand out. In the first portrait, he was alive, patriotic, and strong. In the second

portrait, he was ascending into heaven, weak, and people were grieving over him instead.

To conclude, using strategies such as facial expression, gesture, clothing, setting, color,

objects, and focal point helped determine that the figure was powerful but humble based on his

social status and the way he still found ways to put himself back on the level of lower class

people. Even after he passed in the second portrait, and people were grieving, the light continued

to shine on him, and traces of American pride and an armor suit that resembled how he fought

for people, remained behind, to remind the people that there was still hope. This figure was a

passionate, powerful and humble someone who led the American way.
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MLA Works Cited Page

1. “George Washington: A National Treasure.” George Washington: A National Treasure,

www.georgewashington.si.edu/.

2. “Online Library of Liberty.” Presidents Day and the Apotheosis of Washington – Online

Library of Liberty, oll.libertyfund.org/pages/presidents-day-and-the-apotheosis-of-

washington.