Read about Sveva illustrious history in RECAPITULATION to help
understand the meaning of this painting. All men, kings or poppers,
live and die to create the foundation of mankind--The Swamp

RHYTHM  A principle of art and design concerned with the employment of repeated movement in regular or irregular succession of one or more elements to make a work seem active or to suggest repetition. Visual rhythm can evoke a similar sensation to when we listen to music. When anyalyzing a painting, we often speak about the beat, the harmony, the notes, the flow, and the music. Rhythmic design is abundant in nature--the waves on the lake, the repeating patterns of trees, clouds, rocks, people in crowds, and veins of a leaf. Sveva uses repeating figures to express the cycle of living and dying. The movement of the bodies rotates. Rhythm also evokes a sense of peace. The greens and browns also repeat themselves in a pattern, giving a harmonious unity to the composition.

MULTIPLICATION  An image-development strategy using repetion to create an image or series of images. Multiplication is used to create a rhythm. Repeated forms or patterns also appear everywhere in nature. All life seems to multiply and reproduce itself. Humans are comforted by repetition. We sense order and predictability. Many artists use repeating motives to create a pleasing design. Repetition may also lead to decorative painting and should be used with discernment. Artists often use multiplication to express philosophical ideas and feelings.

DEPTH  Real or simulated 3-D distance. Simulated depth may be created by perspective, overlapping, size, tone values, colours, and so on. Ever since man began to draw, he has been fascinated with creating the illusion of three dimensions. Depth gives a realistic impression. It also evokes a deep feeling, almost as if the depth is reflecting our own deepness. We are keenly aware of depth and receive much pleasure when we see a painting that we can enter into. Sveva created depth with overlapping, light and dark, and transparency.

ACTIVITY  Make a sketch of "The Swamp." This will take time, but will give you the opportunity to learn how to layer elements. You will also experience the calming effect of drawing repeated forms. Art can be theraputic. While working, breath slowly, feel comfortable and take your time. Calming your mind is one of the most important steps to progressing as an artist. If you are always busy reacting to the world around, you will fail to observe it. Sveva Caetani observed herself very closely before painting these pictures. Each one took several months to complete. These acute observations helped her really see who she was. That is the subject of the next painting.