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  • November 8, 2018 at 6:03 pm #464536
    rr113

        I am looking for a discussion of the compositional idea of “empousser” in which there are two large forms (usually trees) on each side of the foreground more or less blocking the eye. Then, in the middle, there is a vista of midground and distance. The term, which means “push”, is used, as I understand it, because it was thought that the lateral forms pushed you into the landscape. You can also say that the two forms squeeze the landscape out (It seems to me.) I used the term with an artist friend and want to send her a reference to the concept. Does anyone know of one?

        Thanks,
        Richard

        November 9, 2018 at 11:06 am #725210
        La_
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            a common and very useful tool, this ’empousser’ term, tho i call it a ‘welcoming triangle’ tool ’cause i’m not french. it’s used voraciously in landscapes (as paths, rivers, fields, etc.) , cityscapes (roads, crowds, buildings, etc), still life works (objects, placements and angles), tho it’s generally encouraged to avoid placing it dead centre (horizontally or vertically), the ‘rule of thirds sweet spots’ being preferred. it’s a huge aid in adding depth, aka perspective and the necessary illusions of 3d on a 2d surface.
            google [drawing] perspective and/or composition and you could read for days.

            la

            _____________________________________________
            When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know Peace

            November 9, 2018 at 8:19 pm #725209
            rr113

                Interesting comment, thank you, but I’m asking has anyone spotted the word “empousser” in print somewhere in the English literature on composition or the history of composition.
                Richard

                November 19, 2018 at 1:57 pm #725212
                SnapV
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                    I don’t know about that concept but, as a native French speaker, I have to tell you that “pousser” means push, not “empousser”. “Empousser” is maybe an archaic term but it currently doesn’t mean anything, even in art lexicon (and I searched…)

                    Virginie

                    All C&C welcome: I want to improve!

                    December 1, 2018 at 2:53 am #725211
                    Anonymous

                        … I’m asking has anyone spotted the word “empousser” in print somewhere in the English literature on composition or the history of composition.
                        Richard

                        Hi Richard,
                        It is not a recent thread, but I never heard about “empousser” before. Yesterday I stumbled upon the correct term in an article on the Brueghel exposition in Vienna. The term is repoussoir.
                        There is a lot on google under that term. For a starters.

                        :wave:

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