Aurora 1883

Jose Ferraz de Almeida Junior created ‘Aurora’ using oil paint on canvas. Considered a classical subject, painted in the academic tradition, this artwork is more than just a pretty picture. Oil paint allowed Almeida Junior to create a range of effects. You see this particularly in the sky with soft and subtle gradients of light. The artist uses the texture of the canvas and the viscosity of the paint, and the thinness and build-up of layers, to create different effects, such as the softness of the clouds. The artist has combined an interest in classical subject matter, with a more modern handling of the material, hinting at a shift in cultural values, moving from tradition to modernity. Ultimately, ‘Aurora’ represents a moment of transition, a blend of classical ideals with the changing landscape of artistic expression.