art essays

Content Essay

Prompt: Visually and emotionally study a particular artwork and then write an essay of what you think the Content is of the selected piece. 

Edit slightly because, obviously, no one here took the course with me and therefore does not have the same textbook information that I had. You probably won't even notice, but just in case.

There's something dark and mysterious about The Melancholy and Mystery of the Street by Giorgio de Chirico. It's not anything I noticed immediately, but it's there in the dark shadows, relatively vacant street, and the mystery man obscured. Even the painting's name implies and alludes to this feeling.

The painting is presented under surrealism. True to its division, the piece feels overwhelmingly surreal and dreamlike. It's thought-provoking in a way that only mysteries can be. I couldn't discern the meaning behind this piece because of this quality. I had to dig deeper.

There's a little girl, some buildings, a trailer, and a shadow man with a pole. None of these things scared me at first. I don't even fear the dark, so why fear those in a painting? Well, life tends to reveal its shadows the older we grow. When I really look into this piece, those dark warnings begin to present themselves.

At first glance, Chirico's oil on canvas is similar to that of a sunset. The light is there but it's half-baked as shadows linger not far off. It has a sweet undertone because there is a child running/playing in the bottom left corner. This child, a young girl, could be going anywhere and doing anything as children do. Their sense of adventure is broader than most, and here, it leaves us to question and imagine countless possibilities. Where is she going? What exactly is it she's playing with? Why is she running alone? Seriously, what is she playing with? A stick and a hula hoop? I wonder where she's going.

The scene is initially peaceful, and it reminds me of several daydreams I've had. The kind where I'm alone and content, minding my own, with nobody else around to change that feeling. I'm somehow safe no matter the place. I think that the girl may be feeling this too. Except, the girl isn't alone, and that changes everything.

The dark silhouette alters my original perspective, and it further reminds me of several other distinct circumstances. Dreams of mine where everything is normal until a stranger's hand latches onto my shoulder. Stories from Facebook, or word of mouth, about girls being snatched or almost taken off streets or from mall restrooms. Scenes of normalcy turned sour in an instant.

The dark shadow could be anyone but who is to say that it is? It might not even be a person at all, but the effect is daunting. Even without trying to think about the other possibilities, I still worry for her sake. As a socially anxious person, I have almost no control of the scared thoughts that marathon at the sight of this stranger. Without meaning to, I find my concept of the artwork as dangerous.

I imagine that feeling of fright one gets after having just been smiling. The heart dropping, mouth turning, mind-racing/numbing feeling that I dread so much. In the world of this little girl, is this what happened next? I can't help but think so.

Referring back to the title, melancholy is thoughtful sadness as a mystery is a curious unknown. Visually, the street is desolate with the exception of vulnerable youth and an entity we cannot judge with accuracy. Over the past week, I've heard about three different human trafficking scares. All happening here in Texas, and the thought has been keeping me up at night. So, I've been focusing on the concept that this painting insinuates danger. How could I not with these horrific stories echoing in my mind? Even as I type these words, my family has just gone through the motions of trying to figure out whether or not there's an active shooter at La Cantera Mall, only to realize it was an overreaction to fireworks. Am I being deceived by these prevalent and present thoughts? It's been a couple of days since the start of this essay and I'm starting to believe so.

I come from a very spiritual family, and tonight I find myself surrounded by them. There's always that one person who's asking about my major and what classes I'm taking. Edna is her name and while these conversations usually leave me insecure, she made me feel at ease. I described to her the painting since the textbook wasn't at hand. She felt that, yes maybe it could be a predator, but maybe it was something purer. A father, grandfather, or uncle watching over the young girl. Protecting her.

I felt as though I should have dwelled on this concept more. I had thought about it, of course, because I like to give each artwork its own story. I felt that under normal circumstances, I would have thought something similar. Especially since, for me, watching The Ghost Whisper with my mom was more normal than hearing about human trafficking.

In the show, Melinda, the main character experiences visions or flashbacks from the ghost's past. Each time she has a vision, the message becomes clearer and clearer. The Melancholy and Mystery of the Street, with its surreal setting, compares greatly to some of these premonitions. Most of the time, the spirit is trying to protect someone they care about.

With this new perspective in mind, I can see the alternative melancholy concept of this art being contributed to by the loss of a loved one or a friendly neighbor. The shadow man may not even have a face to gaze upon but be an implication of someone once there.

The Melancholy and Mystery of the Street, to me, is a complete mystery. One that was possibly meant to cultivate sadness. I think that with its mysterious air and sad indications, there's a story concerning the loss of someone or something great. It could be the little girl or the person we cannot see. Maybe an expression of loneliness or a feeling that something was out of place. For all I know, it could be the tale of a dying tourist town. It feels like a memory coming from someone with a peculiar point of view. As though all they know is the setting and feelings that come with it.