An artist’s composition consists of a variety of different formal elements. Could any of those elements be said to be more important than others? Are there any elements that are absolutely essential to a composition for it to be considered a work of art? Are there any that can generally be removed without doing violence to a composition? Is the division of art into formal elements potentially artificial? Could, for instance, color and line be one single element instead of two?

Select one of these two art works and analyze what you believe to be the most important art elements and design principles. How did the artist use these tools to convey emotion or message?

Please write an original essay answering these questions in no less than 150 words.