Visual Hierarchy

Visual Hierarchy

Using Dominant & Subordinate elements

• I can identify dominant and subordinate elements in famous artworks.

• I can identify the primary focal point of the famous artwork based on dominant elements

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Objectives

An element in a work that repeats or stands out, it has the most visual importance.

• It helps unify the artwork

It signals to the viewer "look at me first"

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Dominant

An elements that are not dominant

It signals to the viewer "look at me after"

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Subordinate

Multiple Choice

What is the dominant element in this image

• building forms

• Yellow color

• Cobble stone texture

• star shapes

Multiple Choice

What is the primary focal point of Cafe Terrace at Night?

• the street

• the Cafe

• the waiter

• The sky

The yellow color is the dominant element. It repeats the most

• The cafe is the dominant focal point because it has the highest concentration of yellow.

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Cafe Terrace at night

​Vincent Van Gogh

Multiple Choice

What is the dominant element in this painting by Edouard Manet?

• color

• shape

• texture

• space

Multiple Choice

What is the primary focal point of The Railway?

• the little girl

• The fence

• The woman

• The puppy

Blue color is the dominant element. It repeats the most in the image.

• The higher amount of blue is on the woman which makes her the most important figure of the two.

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The Railway

Edouard Manet

Multiple Choice

In Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, what is the dominant element?

• form

• space

• texture

• line

Multiple Choice

In Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, what is the primary focal point?

• the man

• the dog

• the sandals

• the woman

The form is the dominant element. The humans are the dominant figures.

• The woman is the dominant focal point. Her form takes up more space. This is emphasized by her green dress.

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Arnolfini Wedding Portrait

​Jan Van Eyck

Open Ended

What is the dominant element of Nighthawks by Edward Hopper? What is the primary focal point?