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Figure/Ground Relationships. Van Gogh, L’Arsienne. Figure : is the object depicted in an image. It is a POSITIVE SHAPE. The GROUND : is the space around an object. It is a NEGATIVE SHAPE. Giotto, Scenes from the Crucifixion.
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Van Gogh, L’Arsienne Figure: is the object depicted in an image. It is a POSITIVE SHAPE The GROUND: is the space around an object. It is a NEGATIVE SHAPE
Giotto, Scenes from the Crucifixion When the figure (object) and ground (space) are clear we are looking at a STABLE figure ground relationship
Ellsworth Kelly, Untitled Drawing What is the figure and what is the ground in this image?
Lisa Reinermann
Figure/Ground Reversal: When first the positive, then the negative shapes command our attention, like what is happening with the identical black and white shapes here Neither one is dominant
In this pattern, an example of figure ground reversal neither the black nor the white is dominant. Figure ground reversal is common in repeating patterns.
Greek Pottery Showing figure/ground stability (birds) and reversal (patterns)
Figure/Ground Ambiguity In some cases, figure ground reversal leaves us uncertain whether elements of the composition serve as the figure or the ground. In this image, the black shapes seem to exist on the white ground, while in other places the white shapes also seem to exist on top of the black.
Franz Kline, White Forms
