William Hogarth (1697–1764)A Rake’s Progress, 1732–35, Oil on canvas, 24 5/8 × 29 1/2 in (62.6 × 74.9 cm)
VISUAL STORY TELLING
Narrative or storytelling can be highly effective in painting and sculpture. Because the image is static, however, narrative strategies are very different from those of film or literature. Stories unfold over time so painting and sculpture are obliged to find ways of suggesting the passage of time and the continuity of action. The main techniques are as follows:
• Single scene
One moment in the narrative is depicted. The selection is usually a pivotal moment in a story. Most narrative art follows this pattern, from Greek amphorae to Renaissance religious paintings.
• Continuous scene
A narrative continues through various events within a single frame. Ancient examples include the metope on the Parthenon, Trajan’s Column, and the Bayeux Tapestry.
• Multi-scene
Multiple events within a narrative are depicted in a single scene, with characters making repeated appearances. While this can sometimes tax the viewer who is trying to discern the sequence, it has the advantage of simultaneity. Various components of a story can be experienced at the same time.
• Panoramic
Multiple events take place within a single scene. However, they do not show repeated views of the same characters but rather events within a broader unfolding drama. This was a technique more often used in ancient art to depict the progress of a war or ongoing doings of various gods.
• Progression in location
Multiple events take place within a single scene at a specific location. The idea is to show a sequence of actions in time at a particular place.
• Sequential framing
Each event is placed within its own frame and the frames are arranged in sequence. This is the technique of comic books, manga, and graphic novels. Many variations are possible, including variety of shape, orientation, and size of frames; images that break out of frames; addition of speech balloons, verbal sound cues, and accompanying narrative or descriptive text.
William Hogarth (1697–1764)
A Rake’s Progress, 1732–35, Oil on canvas, 24 5/8 × 29 1/2 in (62.6 × 74.9 cm)
One of a series of eight paintings showing the dissolution of a spendthrift young gentleman who squanders his inheritance on prostitutes, alcohol, and gambling.
Apollodorus of Damascus
Battle against the Dacians. Retreat by the Dacians into the Mountains, Trajan’s Column, 113 CE, Bas relief, Height of base: 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m); Height of shaft: 88 ft 3 in (26.9 m); Diameter of shaft: 12 ft (3.7 m)
A series of historical events are shown in sequence in a spiral ascending the column.
