"Cloud Study, Moonlight" by Albert Bierstadt
I love the light in this painting because of the way it spreads and reflects on the clouds and land below. The way the moonlight distributes is very helpful to a lighting designer because it shows how subtle the spreading of the light is. It is also interesting because of the yellow-ish tones of the light, as opposed to traditionally blue moonlight seen in paintings and film.
I don't know how else to describe this light other than "full." Sure, the moon is full, so pardon the pun, but the way the light touches everything and defines shapes across this landscape makes it seem that there is no getting away from it. The light is a beacon for all to use and this painting is very interesting because of it.
ReplyDeleteI like that the moon lights up the sky and highlights the shape of the clouds and lets you see the horizon. It casts a light over the clouds, and the ones left in the shadows are dark. Everything else in the photo is a dark color, creating a sharp contrast that makes the moon visually striking. The moonlight distribution looks very natural and evenly spread throughout the landscape. This emphasizes how flat and horizontal the other elements of the landscape are. The blue hues of the sky and the pale moonlight give the painting a tranquil and almost somber mood.
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