Formal Analysis of Masks by Emil NoldeThe Masks of Emil Nolde is an oil painting currently on display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. My first reaction to the still life was that of a very strange and bizarre, but at the same time playful vibe. The mischievous characters rendered with intense colors gave off a sense of horror without the dark, dull color palette typically depicted in horror settings. At first glance, one could notice the strange smile or grimace on the face of each of the five characters. I believe Nolde rendered the painting this way to capture the viewer's attention in a way that would provoke a feeling of dread and pique their emotions. There are five long, oval-shaped figures that one might assume were "masks" based on the implied title of the painting. The masks, all of which differ in size and shape, are arranged asymmetrically throughout the composition. One could instantly notice the negative space filling the lower left corner of the painting. It also occupies the space around the masks, as well as the holes in the e...