Both could be described as landscape pictures. What kinds of landscapes do they describe?

• ‘The Great Wave’ describes an idyllic and romanticised landscape. Presenting a scene of the coast in France, Gustave describes what seems to be a stormy day. The thick and dark clouds creates an intense environment, and the choppy waves on the bottom half compliment this. Although they are separate negatives merged together, he creates a overall idealised scene.
• Talmor’s image describes a more abstract image. Her technique of collaging images give an almost nostalgic sense to her work. The original images were probably similar to Gustave’s – romanticised. However she has leant away from the simple way of presenting work. The image shows splices of the sea, and gives the viewer a chance to see the scene from multiple images and angles.

What similarities do you notice about these two pictures?

They are both based around images of the sea, however the real similarity is the idea of using more than one image. Both artists combined more than one negative to get a final product. They are also both faded. Gustave’s image is faded and has texture due to its age, however Talmor’s photos are recent. She may have created this effect to give the collage life and a story behind it.

What differences do you notice?

The first image is quite simple, and the second clearly makes the viewer take time to understand what’s going on. Gustave’s photo is from one angle and is one image, contrasting to Talmor’s collage.

What words/phrases best describe each of these landscapes?

• I think the ‘The Great Wave’ is best described as romanticised.

• For Talmor’s photo I would say its a mixture of words: Abstract, creative and nostalgic. I think this because the faded edges, the tint on the images, the collage and the idea of the beach creates a sentimental though of childhood.