Longino Alex Nunez Museum Visit

The painting Rock, Rock by Richard Lindner is a painting of a sixties Rock and roll Performer. The oil painting done in 1966 is on display at the Dallas Museum of Art in the Performing Arts Exhibition. The Painting uses many forms of lines to define and emphasize objects. The curving lines on the border of the guitar seem to join the man with his instrument, almost as if the guitar is part of the man’s shirt. The vertical lines that make up the neck of the guitar split the man perfectly in half, keeping with the conformity that binds the man and his guitar. Small lines also play a role within the painting. At the bridge of the guitar lines create an upside down triangle creating what could be seen as a tie out of the chords, further creating the idea of man and guitar as one figure. Another way in which the artist has brought together the man and the object is by including similar lines on both. The horizontal line formed by the changing colors on the man’s sleeve run parallel with the frets on the guitar, and likewise the vertical lines on the man’s turtle neck run parallel with the neck and strings of the guitar. The lines behind the man move from horizontal to vertical making the flow between lines within the man and guitar seem very natural, and conforming. These lines that appear to be “shining” from the background put an almost Saint-like appearance on the guitarist. The Yellow in these lines give it sun-like beams that radiate all around the rest of the painting bringing the Rock star out and pushing him seemingly closer to the audience. I would describe the use of colors in this painting as very appropriate for defining the times and feelings of rock and roll music. The artist’s use of complementary colors on the sweater creates a very groovy and psychedelic mood. The use of red on the guitar gives emphasis on the guitar almost separating it from the rest of the painting, but the bright colors on the man keep the two subjects bound together. The dark vest and the dark sunglasses seem to create some mystery of the man. The dark vest and the glasses give the musician a persona that can be portrayed as cool, or possibly even as bad. The Beams of light shining behind the man create an emphasis on him as well. So in the painting both the man and the guitar are central focus points, only further bringing the two together as one. There is also a use of repetition shown in the sleeves of the man. However, the pattern is interrupted by the black vest along with the guitar again creating a strong emphasis on the guitar. I would definitely say that within this painting the guitar has defined the man, and would also come to the conclusion that the man is probably a magnificent musician.