Van Gogh's "Wheatfield with Crows" (Auvers-sur-Oise, July 1890) Vincent van Gogh - Oil on canvas. Courtesy of Van Gogh Museum Foundation, Amsterdam/Vincent van Gogh Foundation Van Gogh's oil painting is an example of the design principle balance in this asymmetrical composition. Van Gogh creates a dynamic feeling in this piece, and utilizes unity and variety in balancing the massive wheat field and the tiny images of crows.
"A woman inflates her balloon at Clark Field near Manila for the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival" [Day in Photos at URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ Washington Post online (February 8, 2007)
The hot air balloon picture is an example of symmetrical balance design principle. Its single axis of symmetry creates a strong sense of balance and unity with the shadowed figure of a woman positioned in the center with perfect balance on each side.
Gwendolyn Lane
