I get lost in this painting, it's so beautiful. My favourite colours are orange and green....
Flaming June, by Frederic, Lord Leighton, 1895
The Composition of Flaming June -
http://hubpages.com/hub/Flaming-June---My-take - see below
"I can see some tricks of composition used here. The lovely lady is sensousness at rest, and there is a juxtaposition of dynamic lines and restful ones. Her form is a swirling curve, with a myriad of tiny waves and curvlets swimming around. That makes her a ball of fire inspite of her restful pose. To heighten that tension, she is set against dominant horizontal lines, which contributes to stability and security of the background.
There's another trick he has used to increase this contrast. Note the carved scrolls behind her and that pattern above? These rhythms are visual lullabies, going on and on. While she's dynamically curled in the centre!
Her foot slightly steps out of the horizontal structure, giving the illusion that she's real and can step out of the frame anytime.
Burning Colours
Leighton was a master colourist. The sleeping beauty is in a bright orange, against a bluish background. More contrast! Flaming orange, simmering blue, and the blacks and browns of embers justify the title. A visual pun, indeed, of smouldering beauty!"
