I was asked to provide the samples done in class as models to follow for completing the draft of your Visual Analysis. You are not allowed to copy these but may follow them as ideas for completing your own work.
“A Meeting of the School Trustees” – by Robert Harris (this models an introductory paragraph)
Robert Harris was a Welsh born Canadian painter who grew up in Prince Edward Island. His works focus on mainly portraits and documentary paintings of the late 1800’s. His most famous works are The Fathers of Confederation and A Meeting of the School Trustees. This last painting, the focus of this essay, is a great examination of Canadian identity as it reflects to the viewer a unique Canadian identity. This Canadian identity is shown through its examination of Canada’s history, of the challenges faced by rural Canadians, and the people and citizens of Canada.
“The Bay of Fundy” – by Glenn Hall (this models an example of one possible analysis paragraph)
In Glenn Hall’s The Bay of Fundy, one can see in the background vast blue waters of the Bay of Fundy from a high vantage point. In the foreground, the artist has painted a beach and the receding tide. This is important because those tides are some of the highest in the world and are a unique element of Atlantic Canada and Canada in general.
“Building the Dundas Street Bridge” – by Owen Staples (this models an example of one possible analysis paragraph)
This bridge is on the arterial route of Dundas street, the longest street in Canada and one that has much history for the events which have taken place over its course. This bridge is a standing monument to the workers, many immigrants, who constructed it and contributed to building the infrastructure of Canada.
“The Caribou Hunter” – by Arthur Heming (this models explaining an aspect of Canadian identity in the painting)
This picture, while it might be confused for any northern climate, is distinctly Canadian because of its landscape as well its flora and the people present. Snow is not unique to Canada but it is definitely something for which we are known. Furthermore, the darkness of the surrounding forest is of pine trees and fir trees that are all very Canadian. Lastly, in the background, a viewer can spy a fox like those seen in the Canadian wilderness. All of these elements add up to a unique Canadian landscape that anyone who has spent a winter in the outdoors will appreciate.
