AND THE RECTANGLE

The Triangle.

In angular composition the return of the eye over its course, as in
circular observation, is practically eliminated. While the circle and
ellipse offer a succession of items and events, one the sequence of the
other, so that the vision concludes like a boomerang, angular composition
sends a shaft direct, with no return.

Here the pleasure of reverie through an endless chain must be exchanged
for the stimulation of a shock, for force by concentration, for ruggedness
at the expense of elegance.

Pure triangular composition is a form rarely seen, as, in most cases where
the lines of the triangle are detected as the first conception, other
lines or points have been added to destroy or modify them.

Jacque has been successful in the management of what is considered a
difficult form. In the herder with cattle although we feel in the next
moment the subject will have passed, while it lasts the artist has kept
the eye upon it by the use of dark figures at either end and a
concentration of light in the centre; also by the presence of the tree in
the distance which turns the eye into the picture as it leaves the cow on
the right.

[The Herder--Jaque]

Another example more complete as a composition is his famous _"__Shepherd
and Sheep,__"_(11) in which the angle is formed by the dark dog at the
extreme right, the lines expanding through the figure of the shepherd and
thence above into a group of trees and below along the edge of the flock.
In this example the base line runs into the picture by perspective and
thence back into the picture to the trees.

The _"__Departure for the Chase,__"_ by Cuyp, shows an unsuccessful use of
this shape.

In _"__The Path of the Surf,__"_ the main form--the surf--is a triangle and
the two supporting spaces triangles. Such a construction is particularly
stable, as these focalize on the line of interest. Some artists construct
most of their pictures in a series of related triangles. The writer
calling upon Henry Bacon found him painting a group of transatlantic
travellers on a steamer's deck. He pointed out a scheme of triangles
which together formed one great triangle, but said he was looking for the
last point for the base of this. A monthly magazine was suggested, which,
laid open on its face, proved _le dernier clou._

THE VERTICAL LINE IN ANGULAR COMPOSITION

When Giotto was