Box of dead souls. The image of the Box in the poem 'Dead Souls' by N.V.

In this publication, we will consider the concept of composition, types of composition that are widespread in various fields of art, and in some are the basis.

The concept of composition

In big Encyclopedic Dictionary Several definitions of this concept are given. Let's consider the main ones, based on the scope of application.

The word comes from the Latin "compositio", which means "binding", "composition".

First of all, this is the creation of a specific artistic image or work, which is determined by its purpose, content and character. The composition is the most important element artistic forms, which gives integrity and unity to the created work and mutually subordinates its components.

The next two definitions are related to music and art. One of them is interpreted as follows. Composition is a pictorial, musical, graphic or sculptural work. It can also be the process of composing music or academic discipline in a music school.

In addition, it may include several various types art.

Now let's begin to consider the main types of composition in various fields art.

Literature

Each of us encountered this concept at school in the lessons of fine arts, literature and music. Let us dwell in more detail on literature, since in this area the concept plays a key role for the writer. Let us also consider the types of composition in literature.

These include narration, dialogue and monologue, portrait and landscape, plot, description, author's description and digressions, inserted stories and a system of images.

An important role is played and among which the following are distinguished:

Exposition (its presence in the work is not necessary; it allows the writer to notify the reader in advance about events, as well as tune him to the desired wave).

Retrospection, otherwise called "looking back." The author immerses us in the past of the heroes to reveal the reasons for what is happening now. This technique is most typical for a memory story.

The best technique for adding intrigue to a work is a break. Readable chapter ends with an intriguing moment, and in the next we're talking about it’s about something completely different, but the intrigue created remains.

Among the types of composition in the literature, there are two main ones - external and internal. The first involves dividing the text into its component parts: prologues, epilogues, chapters, and so on. The second focuses on the content: plot, images, speech situations, and so on.

Also, the composition can be reverse (the work begins with the final scenes), circular (the end of the work is the scene with which it began), thematic (based on the relationship of the main images) and mirror (based on the symmetry of some images or episodes).

Design

As a rule, there are no specific types of compositions in design. There are means, qualities and properties of the composition, which we will consider.

The means include line, shading, spot, color, chiaroscuro, as well as linear, color and aerial perspective. Artists often use several media in their work. For example, line, spot and strokes.

Line is considered the main means. Chiaroscuro is used to convey the volume of objects in a drawing. Perspectives are used to create the illusion of space.

Now let's list the qualities and properties of compositions in design: compositional balance, harmonious integrity, symmetries and asymmetries, dynamic and static compositions, unity of character of forms.

Architecture

Architecture also makes extensive use of composition, and the types of composition are numerous.

It involves organizing architectural elements to achieve harmony and unity. The choice of a particular composition is made not only on the basis aesthetic principles, but is also determined by all the requirements for the architectural structure.

Let's consider the types architectural composition. Volumetric composition is achieved by constructing volumetric forms. Spatial corresponds to a specific space (for example, a hall, a room or an arena). The basis of the deep-spatial composition is the unification of several spaces or the division of space into interconnected parts. The volumetric-spatial composition combines volumetric forms with elements of space. An example of such a construction would be a building plan with part of a courtyard. The frontal composition is built along horizontal and vertical coordinates. In high-rise, height prevails over the size of the form on the plan.

Photo

Speaking about composition and types of composition, I would like to pay attention popular type art - photography. Every person, whether a professional photographer or an amateur, cares about how to make their photographs interesting and expressive. To do this, there are several rules for constructing a composition.

The rule of thirds states that the frame is divided into nine parts, that is, a grid is obtained. Thus, the most important objects are located at the intersection of lines or along them.

The "golden ratio" rule. There are points in the composition that most attract a person's attention; they are located at a distance of 5/8 and 3/8 from the edges of the frame. There are 4 such points in total.

There are also rules for diagonals and the diagonal golden ratio.

Conclusion

Composition and types of composition are a major topic in the study of fine arts as well as architecture. Without knowledge of the rules for constructing objects, objects and spaces, as well as the ability to apply certain techniques, it is impossible to create a masterpiece.

Materials taken from the book “Fundamentals of Composition” by N.M. Sokolnikova.

Composition (from Latin compositio) means composition, combination, combination various parts into a single whole in accordance with some idea. IN fine arts composition is a construction work of art, due to its content, nature and purpose.

The word "composition" as a term of fine art began to be used regularly beginning with the Renaissance.

The word “composition” refers to the picture as such - as an organic whole with expressed semantic unity, implying in this case that drawing, color and plot come together. In this case, it does not matter what genre the painting belongs to and in what manner it is made, it is called the term “composition” as a completed work of art.

In another case, the term “composition” means one of the main elements of visual literacy, according to which a work of art is constructed and evaluated.

Composition has its own laws that develop in the process artistic practice and theory development.

The main idea of the composition can be built on the contrasts of good and evil, cheerful and sad, new and old, calm and dynamic, etc.

Tonal and color contrasts used in the process of creating works of graphics and painting of any genre.

A light object is more visible and more expressive dark background and, conversely, dark on light.

In V. Serov’s painting “Girl with Peaches” you can clearly see that the girl’s dark face stands out as a dark spot against the background of the light window. And although the girl’s pose is calm, everything in her appearance is infinitely alive, it seems that she is about to smile, shift her gaze, and move. When a person is depicted in a typical moment of his behavior, capable of movement, not frozen, we admire such a portrait.

An example of the use of contrasts in a multi-figure thematic composition is K. Bryullov’s painting “The Last Day of Pompeii” (ill. 37). It depicts the tragic moment of death during a volcanic eruption. The composition of this painting is built on the rhythm of light and dark spots, various contrasts. The main groups of figures are located on the second spatial plan. They are highlighted by the strongest light from the lightning flash and therefore have the most contrast. The figures of this plan are especially dynamic and expressive, distinguished by fine psychological characteristics. Panic fear, horror, despair and madness - all this was reflected in people’s behavior, their postures, gestures, actions, faces.

To achieve the integrity of the composition, you should highlight the center of attention where the main thing will be located, abandon secondary details, and mute contrasts that distract from the main thing. Compositional integrity can be achieved by combining all parts of the work with light, tone or color.

Remember:

– no part of the composition can be removed or replaced without damage to the whole;

– parts cannot be interchanged without damage to the whole;

– no new element can be added to the composition without damaging the whole.

Sometimes a deliberate violation of compositional rules becomes a creative success if it helps the artist more accurately realize his plan, that is, there are exceptions to the rules. For example, it can be considered mandatory that in a portrait, if the head or figure is turned to the right, it is necessary to leave free space in front of it so that the person being portrayed, relatively speaking, has somewhere to look. And, conversely, if the head is turned to the left, then it is shifted to the right of the center.

V. Serov in his portrait of Ermolova breaks this rule, which achieves a striking effect - it seems that the great actress is addressing the audience who are outside the frame of the picture. The integrity of the composition is achieved by the fact that the silhouette of the figure is balanced by the train of the dress and the mirror.

The following compositional rules can be distinguished: transmission of motion (dynamics), rest (statics), golden ratio (one third).

Composition techniques include: conveying rhythm, symmetry and asymmetry, balancing parts of the composition and highlighting the plot and compositional center.

Composition tools include: format, space, composition center, balance, rhythm, contrast, chiaroscuro, color, decorativeness, dynamics and statics, symmetry and asymmetry, openness and closedness, integrity.

Transmission of rhythm, movement and rest

Rhythm is a universal natural property. It is present in many phenomena of reality. Remember examples from the world of living nature that are somehow related to rhythm ( cosmic phenomena, rotation of planets, change of day and night, cyclical seasons, growth of plants and minerals, etc.). Rhythm always implies movement.

Rhythm in life and in art are not the same thing. In art there are possible interruptions in rhythm, rhythmic accents, its unevenness, not mathematical precision, as in technology, but living diversity, finding an appropriate plastic solution.

In works of fine art, as in music, one can distinguish between an active, impetuous, fractional rhythm or a smooth, calm, slow one.

Rhythm is the alternation of any elements in a certain sequence.

In painting, graphics, sculpture, decorative arts rhythm is present as one of the most important expressive means composition, participating not only in the construction of the image, but also often giving the content a certain emotionality.

Ancient Greek painting. Hercules and Triton surrounded by dancing Nereids

Rhythm can be set by lines, spots of light and shadow, spots of color. You can use alternation of identical elements of the composition, for example, human figures, their arms or legs. As a result, rhythm can be built on contrasts of volumes. Special role is given to rhythm in works of folk and decorative art. All numerous compositions of various ornaments are built on a certain rhythmic alternation of their elements.

Rhythm is one of the " magic wands", with the help of which you can convey movement on a plane.

A. RYLOV. In the blue expanse

We live in a constantly changing world. In works of fine art, artists strive to depict the passage of time. Movement in a painting is an expression of time. On a painting, fresco, in graphic sheets and illustrations, we usually perceive movement in connection with plot situation. The depth of phenomena and human characters is most clearly manifested in concrete action, in movement. Even in such genres as portrait, landscape or still life, true artists strive not just to capture, but to fill the image with dynamics, to express its essence in action, during certain period time or even imagine the future. The dynamism of the plot can be associated not only with the movement of some objects, but also with their internal state.

Works of art that contain movement are characterized as dynamic.

Why does rhythm convey movement? This is due to the peculiarity of our vision. The gaze, moving from one pictorial element to another, similar to it, itself, as it were, participates in the movement. For example, when we look at waves, moving our gaze from one wave to another, the illusion of their movement is created.

Fine arts belongs to the group spatial arts in contrast to music and literature, in which the main thing is the development of action over time. Naturally, when we talk about the transfer of motion on a plane, we mean its illusion.

What other means can be used to convey the dynamics of the plot? Artists know many secrets to create the illusion of movement of objects in a picture and emphasize its character. Let's look at some of these tools.

Let's do a simple experiment with a small ball and a book.

Ball and book: a – the ball lies calmly on the book,

b – slow movement of the ball,

c – rapid movement of the ball,

d - the ball rolled away

If you tilt the book a little, the ball starts to roll. The greater the tilt of the book, the faster the ball slides along it; its movement becomes especially fast at the very edge of the book.

Why is this happening? Anyone can do this simple experiment and, based on it, be convinced that the speed of the ball depends on the amount of tilt of the book. If you try to depict this, then in the drawing the slope of the book is a diagonal in relation to its edges.

Motion transfer rule:

– if one or more diagonal lines are used in the picture, the image will seem more dynamic;

– the effect of movement can be created if you leave free space in front of the moving object;

– to convey the movement, you should choose a certain moment of it, which most clearly reflects the nature of the movement and is its culmination.

V. SEROV. The Kidnapping of Europa

N. ROERICH. Overseas guests

Movement becomes understandable only when we consider the work as a whole, and not individual moments of movement. Free space in front of a moving object makes it possible to mentally continue the movement, as if inviting us to move with it.

Examples of motion transmission

A large number of vertical or horizontal lines background may slow down movement. Changing the direction of movement can speed it up or slow it down.

The peculiarity of our vision is that we read text from left to right, and movement from left to right is easier to perceive, it seems faster.

Motion transmission schemes

A feeling of peace can arise in a work of art under a number of other conditions. For example, in K. Korovin’s painting “In Winter”, despite the fact that there are diagonal directions, the sleigh with the horse stands calmly, there is no sense of movement for the following reasons: the geometric and compositional centers of the picture coincide, the composition is balanced, and the free space in front of the horse is blocked tree.

K. KOROVIN. in winter

Composition

(Latin compositio - compilation, composition) - composition, connection, combination of various parts into a single whole in accordance with any idea. In fine art, composition is the construction of a work of art, determined by its content, nature and purpose, the need to convey the main concept, the idea of the work as clearly and convincingly as possible. The main thing in composition is the creation of an artistic image. Paintings painted in different eras, absolutely different styles, amaze our imagination and are remembered for a long time, largely due to the clear compositional construction. The perception of a work also depends on its composition. IN artistic activity The process of creating a work can be called composing a composition.

The compositional principle, like a tree trunk, organically connects roots and branches figurative form, subordinates its elements to each other and to the whole. To depict means to establish relationships between parts, connect them into a single whole and generalize.

The word "composition" as a term of fine art has been regularly used since the Renaissance. Sometimes the word “composition” is used to describe a painting as such - as an organic whole with a pronounced semantic unity, implying in this case that the design, color and plot are combined. In this case, it does not matter what genre the painting belongs to and in what manner it is made, it is called the term “composition” as a completed work of art.

For centuries, artists have been looking for the most expressive compositional schemes, as a result we can say that the most important elements of the image are not placed chaotically, but form simple geometric shapes (triangle, pyramid, circle, oval, square, rectangle, etc.) . The composition can be closed or open. Using special techniques (multi-tier composition, selection climax actions, etc.) you can convey the movement of time in the picture.

In the history of art, both the processes of fulfilling generally accepted canons of composition (antiquity, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism, etc.) and the desire to get rid of rigid canonical schemes and use free compositional techniques (XIX-XX centuries) played an important role. A composition that meets the individual creative searches of artists is capable of evoking a variety of associations, feelings and emotions. Everything is important in a composition - the mass of objects, their visual “weight”, their placement on a plane, the expressiveness of silhouettes, rhythmic alternations of lines and spots, methods of conveying space and the point of view of what is depicted, the distribution of light and shade, the color and coloring of the picture, the poses and gestures of the characters, format and size of the work and much more.

The main principles of constructing a work of art, which can be called rules, techniques and means of composition, are the following: the transfer of movement (dynamics), rest (statics), taking into account the proportion of the golden section, the transfer of rhythm, symmetry and asymmetry, the balance of parts of the composition and the identification of the plot-compositional center .

Artists use composition as a universal means to create a painting, sculpture or work of decorative art and achieve their figurative and emotional expressiveness.

Composition is not only a thought, an idea of a work, for the sake of expression of which the artist takes up a brush and pencil, it is also definitely a plastic form of expression that is in tune with the soul of the artist and the requirements of the time.

The basis of any work of art is composition, which gives it unity and integrity. Composition has its own laws, which are formed in the process of artistic activity.

This is about plot composition for the artist, about individual techniques with the help of which the greatest expressiveness of the picture is achieved. Let's look at the relationship between the two concepts - plot and content. By plot we must understand what the master directly depicted in his work. The plot, figuratively speaking, is on the surface of the iceberg, and the content is its deep part. Hundreds of people perceive and interpret the same story in different ways, that is, they create their own version of the content.

Of course, the right to choose remains with the artist, who, through the means of pictorial composition, reveals to the viewer all the versatility of the content.

To the most common compositional techniques Rhythmic structures belong to painting. In such works, all elements of the work are subordinated only to rhythm. The artist can set a clear, rigid rhythm. There is not a single detail in it that exists outside of harmonious coherence.

Let's consider several laws of composition.

1. Composition, translated, means to compose, compose, therefore its important law is integrity. Integrity is expressed in such a way that the objects in the drawing are perceived as a single whole, no part of the work seems superfluous, where there is no chaos.

2. It is important to identify in the drawing composition center(semantic center), so that it attracts attention, highlights those objects that are meant to be the main ones.

3. Contrast.

Contrast is of the following types:

Color contrast (light-dark). For example, the colors black-white, black-red will always be contrasting, that is, expressive, and will always be able to highlight the main idea in the drawing.

Contrast of magnitudes (small-large). That is, a large thing against a small background will always be more contrasting than, for example, all the objects in the picture would have the same size.

Semantic contrast. For example, when comparisons are made between positive and negative characters

4. Statics- This is a state of balance and peace. For example, the lower to the edge of the sheet the objects in the drawing are depicted, the more static the work is. And, than more symmetrical objects at work, it is also static.

5. Dynamics- this is movement. The more asymmetrically the objects are located in the picture, the more dynamic the composition.

In order for the drawing to look more expressive, you need to start arranging objects on the sheet with a hard-soft pencil, while relying on knowledge of perspective, proportions, color theory, and most importantly, do not overload the work.

Thus, we have examined the basic laws of composition.

The rules, techniques and means of composition are developing, enriched by the creative practice of new generations of artists. Those rules and techniques that enabled artists to achieve the best results in conveying the phenomena of reality, in creating an artistic image, acquired significance for the subsequent development of fine art.

The means of composition are line, shading (stroke), spot (tonal and color), linear perspective, chiaroscuro, aerial and color perspective.

Several “laws” of composition can be distinguished:

Law of Integrity.
Integrity as a phenomenon that unites elements, parts into a single whole, manifests itself everywhere in nature and society and acts as a dialectical law. Thanks to compliance with the first law of composition - the law of integrity - a work of art is perceived as a single and indivisible whole.
The essence of the law can be revealed by analyzing its main features or properties. Main feature the law of integrity - the indivisibility of a composition means that it is impossible to perceive it as the sum of several, even to a small extent independent parts. Indivisibility is laid down in the composition through the artist’s finding a so-called constructive idea that can unite all the components of the future work into one whole.
Law of contrasts.
The law of contrasts is one of the basic laws of composition. The term “contrast” denotes a sharp difference, the opposite of the sides.
If there are no opposites, no contrasts, then there will be no struggle and unity. Thus, without contrasts there can be no struggle, and therefore no movement, change, development. This means that contrasts in the global meaning of this concept are one of the main, integral conditions for the origin, existence, and development of matter, and therefore of life itself.
Since the effect of contrasts is manifested in the laws of both nature and society, then, of course, in all areas public consciousness. In art (including fine art), as one of the forms of social consciousness, the effect of contrasts is also reflected.
The main contrasts in fine art are tonal (light) and natural color contrasts. On their basis, other types of contrasts arise and operate - contrasts of lines, shapes, sizes, characters, states, as well as contrasts associated with ideas (contrasts of ideas, positions), contrasts in constructing a plot (contrasts in finding a constructive idea), etc. .

contrasts are the law of composition; they express the struggle of opposites.
Without contrasts it is impossible to create not only works of art, but even simple ones. image. Without contrasts, the image will merge with the background.
contrasts create the expressiveness of a work of art and therefore act as an influencing force in the composition.
contrasts in a composition act as a compositional force not only from the point of view of the “mechanics” of construction, that is, the construction of a composition as some kind of structure, but also from the point of view creative process creating artistic images: most of The creative process of creating a work by an artist is associated with determining the nature of contrasts.

Law of Subordination
The law of subordination of all means of composition to an ideological plan obliges the artist to create his work as integral in design and impact on the viewer. When working on a work, the artist expresses through composition what interests him, captivates him, shows his attitude towards the depicted, his understanding, i.e. gives a moral and aesthetic assessment. Thus, everything that the artist depicts, especially from the imagination, becomes an artistic phenomenon only when it is spiritualized ideological plan, realized through composition. Otherwise, it will be a handicraft, photographic copying of real objects. This law requires taking into account the relationship of volumes, color, light, tone and shape, as well as the transmission of rhythm and plasticity, movement or a state of relative rest, symmetry or asymmetry.
Law of influence
The law is fully formulated as the law of the influence of the “frame” on the composition of the image on the plane.

an object depicted on a uniform field close to the “frame”, as a result of the viewer’s habit of feeling the depth of the picture (anticipation) caused by the presence of the “frame”, is perceived to lie close to the plane of the “frame” or even partially merged with it;
an object located not close to the “frame”, and especially in the central zone of the picture, is perceived to lie in the depths;
Thanks to the presence of a “frame,” a flat, flat field becomes a space that is still completely indefinite, perspectively and metrically.

Art that walks the fine line of harmony must be within the framework of something strict, clearly defined, unshakable, which will not allow it to do so. light step from the mysterious, beautiful to the ugly and inert. This restraining unit is composition, its types, laws, and techniques. It is she who makes all works of art so harmonious and complete. In the article we will analyze this concept, types of composition, and their embodiment in various areas of this beautiful sphere.

What is composition?

In the very general meaning words composition is the main organizing element of absolutely any artistic form. It is his task that is to give integrity and unity to the creation, to show the artist’s thought understandable and complete, to subordinate all the components of the work, to put them into a system.

Formal. The second name is not pictorial, because it is built from spots and lines. Data artistic images cannot exist in reality, have no practical and rational significance. What is important here is not the plot, the meaning, but rather the plastic forms, principles and laws of their construction. What evokes emotions in the viewer here is precisely art form, colors, plastic. Abstract images such compositions arise from symbols, geometric shapes, simplified images of real objects.

Composition in literature

There are two gradations of types of composition in the literature. Let's take a closer look at them.

The first classification is as follows:

Architectonics, external composition. This is what stands out graphically: the division of the work into chapters, paragraphs and paragraphs, the presence of a prologue and epilogue, various footnotes and comments, epigraphs, digressions by the author, etc.
Narration, internal composition . Here attention is already focused on the content of the creation: images and their system, plot, structure of speech situations, highlighting the strong components of the text - leitmotif, climax, denouement, finale.

The next gradation of species literary compositions looks like that:

Thematic. The relationship between the main characters is at the center. Additionally divided into sequential ( smooth transition from one thought to another), based on the development and transformation of the image literary hero and based on the comparison of images of literary heroes.
Mirror. When reading, the reader gets the feeling that some images and episodes are symmetrical.
Ring(framed). The work begins and ends with the same scene.
Reverse. The events in the book develop from final scene to its origins and causes.

Types of flower arrangements

In conclusion, let’s look at this type of art: floristry.

The types of flower arrangements here are very diverse:

Varieties of arrangements of cut flowers: bouquets, compositions in wall, floor, table, hanging, high, flat and low vases, in special stands, macrame, baskets, driftwood, tree bark.
A bouquet as a composition is divided into festive and everyday.
Forms of bouquet compositions: round, linear, one-sided, freely assembled, massive, of various sizes (5-50 cm).

Composition is an important organizational form in art. It is this that makes any work complete, meaningful, and worthy of the emotions of the viewer and reader. Each of its types, as we have seen, in the fine arts, in literature, in floristry, has its own unique features, the laws of constructing a work by an artist.