Movement
Visual movement is used by artists to direct viewers through their work, often to a focal area.
Such movements can be directed along lines, edges, shapes, and colors within the works, but moves the eye most easily on paths of equal value.
Movement in Fine Art
Diego Rivera - "Liberation of the Peon", 1931
Rivera's painting is charged with emotion and filled with history. The naked slave (peon) is being cut free from political tyranny as well as physical enslavement by the liberating soldiers. All movement leads to the focus, where a knife is cutting the binding ropes. Notice how emphasis is placed on the act of liberation rather than on the liberating heroes. Movement is also created when we observe the direction in which the human eyes are looking—directly at the peon. This causes our eyes to follow theirs, creating visual movement toward the focus. The horses look directly at us, which draws us into the grouping of figures and horses.
Source: Elements and Principles of Design: Student Guide with Activities, published by Crystal Productions
