Art Lovers discussion

Repoussoir

In two-dimensional works of art, such as painting, printmaking, photography or bas-relief, repoussoir (French: [ʁəpuswaʁ], pushing back) is an object along the right or left foreground that directs the viewer's eye into the composition by bracketing (framing) the edge.

It became popular with Mannerist and Baroque artists, and is found frequently in Dutch seventeenth-century landscape paintings. Jacob van Ruisdael, for example, often included a tree along one side to enclose the scene. Figures are also commonly employed as repoussoir devices by artists such as Paolo Veronese, Peter Paul Rubens and Impressionists such as Gustave Caillebotte.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repoussoir

The Jewish Cemetery
Jacob Isaaksz. van Ruisdael
1655–60

The tree in the right-foreground of Ruisdael's painting is an example of repoussoir that pushes the viewer's eye into the composition.

The Four Philosophers
Peter Paul Rubens
c. 1615

In his friendship portrait of himself, his brother Philip Rubens, Justus Lipsius and Jan van den Wouwer (left to right), the painter Rubens's self-portrait on the left is an example of a figural repoussoir that is further accentuated by the flowing red curtain.

Paris Street; Rainy Day
Gustave Caillebotte
1877

The rear-facing man on the right with the tilted umbrella is an example of repoussoir figure leading the viewer's gaze into the composition.

I knew that compositional trick, but never knew it had a name. Photographers do it, too. And when I look out my window at the ocean, the top of my neighbor’s palm tree is a repoussoir for my view.

Nice! That would be a beautiful view.

I’ve noticed that, how do I describe it, use in objects to point to a the main theme. (Does that make sense?) but I didn’t know it had a name either.

Thanks for naming it. Another ignoramus until now.

Geoffrey wrote: "Thanks for naming it. Another ignoramus until now."

Thank you, Geoffrey. Now I don't feel so stupid. lol (I'm NOT saying you are stupid...on the contrary, I believe you and Ruth and many other members of the group have much more knowledge and experience than I do.)

Heather wrote: "Geoffrey wrote: "Thanks for naming it. Another ignoramus until now."

Thank you, Geoffrey. Now I don't feel so stupid. lol (I'm NOT saying you are stupid...on the contrary, I believe you and Ruth a..."

no need to be so self effacing Heather. You're bringing more to these message threads than any of us. Ruth, lobstergirl and others have the advantage of studying art history at the college level. That's a big head start and we've worked in the field so yes, again, another advantage. I am still amazed by what I don't know so yes, I have a lot to discover, eg.repoussoir

Thank you, Geoffrey!

And I forgot to mention Ed or Dirk.