“The Floor-Scrapers”Gustave Caillebotte This piece demonstrates the gestalt prin

“The Floor-Scrapers”Gustave Caillebotte This piece demonstrates the gestalt principle of continuance. There are three figures, the middle of which is the most forward with the two remaining figures tilted towards him either with his whole body as seen on the left or which just his face as seen on the right. Furthermore, their arm-motions as they scrape the floor move outward toward us as viewers. Again, the emphasis is forward. This emphasis is made more prominent by the perspective lines as well. The principle of continuance aids in the concept of these workers scraping the floor for what may seem like a never-ending time period. We can see in the image that they have yet a lot more work to do and we as viewers are engaged with the painting as we imagine them continuing this mundane chore for many more hours. I also considered the similiary principle in color of the floor-scrapers and the floor itself, though this is secondary to the idea of continuity and the work that they are doing. Regarding similarity, Caillebotte may desire to show the idea that these men have done this work so long, they are less human and more like the floor they work upon. Nonetheless, he paints them with magnificent musculature and glorifies their form in the diffused light from the window showing appreciation for a very common and lowly occupation during this time. -- source link

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