by Jeannie Lam
Trigger Warnings: Gore/blood, rape
Writing, a way of storytelling, is often associated with reading. But what most people don’t think about is the similarities between writing and art.
Behind each art piece is a multifaceted meaning or a story that is integral to the artwork. Despite their physical differences, writing and art are very akin to each other. There is much to learn from art which could help improve your writing. Here are some examples and how they could apply to your work in progress:
A Huguenot by John Everett Millais
You may have noticed the woman’s odd facial expression at first glance but chalked it off as something insignificant. However, this curious look is not a trick of the light. There is a much deeper and more sorrowful story behind this story. Why is she tying an armband on her lover’s arm? And why does it seem as if he is tugging the strip of cloth off? What does the white cloth mean? And why does the man look so in love, while his lover is in despair?
The woman is Catholic, and she is currently trying to put a white armband on her Protestant lover’s arm. This painting is a scene moments before horror hits. It refers to St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre, where thousands of Protestants were killed. Only a few of them managed to escape the city because they were wearing white armbands.
Perhaps he escaped. Perhaps he didn’t.
What would you do if you were writing out this scene? Is it a doomed love story - cursed longing for someone who would never truly belong to you? Did the man pass away in the woman’s arms if he died? Or were they separated, never to touch each other again? What goes through her head? Why didn’t he let her put on the armband, despite knowing it was the way to being saved?
There is so much going on in the painting, from the historical background to the way they look at one another. Notice the tragically beautiful juxtaposition that happens: the woman realising death was the only option and the look of pure love the man gives his lover.
What happens next…?
The Roses of Heliogabalus by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
This is most certainly a beautiful painting, from the vibrant petals to the tranquil landscape. But then, you look closer at the facial expressions of the people buried in the flowers and think…what is happening?
Well, the guests are dying due to asphyxiation. There are so many rose petals that it is choking the guests! All the while, Emperor Heliogabalus watches this scene unfold from where he reclines at the table (left) with an expression of utter carelessness. Hasn’t the pretty painting turned horrifying real quick?
What would you do if you were writing this scene? Would you write about the ironically beautiful death, or will you focus on the terror and understanding of the people? Is there symbolism in the type of flowers? Will you focus on Heliogabalus? Was he misunderstood, or simply tyrannical? Or will you focus on the backstories of the people? Were they going home to a loving wife and family?
Judith Beheading Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi
One glance, and you can already tell that there must be a gruesome story behind this painting. Judith (right), the heroine of this tale, has snuck into the Assyrian war camp to behead their general, Holofernes (middle).
But for this artwork, part of the story lies within the painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, who was one of the only female artists of her time. When Gentileschi was young, she was raped, which many people think inspired how she painted the piece.
Put yourself into your character. If you were faced with their problems and circumstances, what would you do? What parts of your story were impacted by your personal life? How can you use your experience to make the narrative more realistic?
The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
No doubt, this is a beautiful, light-hearted painting. The woman on the swing seems to be having the time of her life, kicking her legs towards the joyous sun.
But then you notice the man in the painting. Two men. One stands behind her, shrouded in shadows, and the other playfully stretches his arms out to his lover. His lover, not wife, like she is to the man in the shadows. An affair is brewing, and the statues nearby know it. One of them, a putto (winged baby that represents love), holds a finger to his mouth. Interestingly enough, the rose, commonly known to symbolise love, also represents secrecy.
Think about how you can take your novel to the next level with the levels of depth. How can you play with symbolism and make your literary devices multi-faceted? In addition, think about what secrets your characters will take to the grave to make them more realistic.
The Lady of Shalott by John Willian Waterhouse
This painting is based on the poem ‘The Lady of Shalott’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson. ‘The Lady of Shalott’ is based on Arthurian legends and tells the story of a woman with the same name who is cursed to never look at Camelot (King Arthur’s fictional castle). One day, upon seeing the face of Sir Lancelot, she falls in love and her curse falls upon her. The Lady then gets into a boat with the realisation of death approaching her quickly.
Around the boat, you can see symbolism pointing to the Lady of Shalott nearing the end of cursed life. For example, fallen leaves, representing a fallen woman, litter the river bed. Her anguished expression and the dull background colours add to the downtrodden feeling of the painting.
What do the objects in the art mean to the Lady? Why did she get into the boat? How do facial expressions and descriptions add to the overall feeling of your book? Delve into the backstories of your characters: Why was the Lady of Shalott cursed, and how did she live with it?
What these artworks teach us is to think deeply about the thought process of your characters and their background. Don’t simply stick a label on them and call it a day. Treat them as if they are real people. Dig deeper into their character and personality, and once you do so, there will be a deeper layer to your writing - just like art.
To Learn more about the author, check out @sj_writessss on instagram.
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