1. Repetition Repetition Repetition
Repetition Repetition Repetition
Repetition Repetition Repetition
Repetition Repetition Repetition
Repetition Repetition Repetition
A curated art exhibition by Chris Ramirez

2. 1. When we go about our daily lives, we
encounter repetition and patterns
everywhere and everyday.
2. But why is it so important?
3. Why do artists use it?
4. Why is it so appealing to us?
5. This online curated exhibition should
explain these answers and give examples
of importance of this simple art element.
Repetition

3. • The use of
repeated lines,
shapes and
shadows create
such a busy mood
for this relief.
• The reason for
such repetition is
to give the mood
of a busy, moving
crowd.
• The crowd
doesn’t appear
still because of
the multi-
directional lines
through the piece.
• The artist
purposely used
repetition and did
it wisely.
Relief from
The Altar of
Peace
(13-9 BCE)
Rome, Italy
• Artists in this era, help influence
other artists in later time periods to
use repetition as a tool to provoke
the sense of a busy/moving piece.

4. • This is the exterior of the Florence Cathedral, if
we all remember. See the dome in the right
corner of the photograph?
• What’s with all the rectangles?
• The rectangles are there to create a rhythm that
mesmerizes and forces one’s eyes from left-right
to up-down and right-left. It also helps create a
symmetrical balance.
• It also helps express people’s thoughts and
emotions
• To the right is the plan and
axonometric section of the
dome of Florence Cathedral.
• The purpose of repeating
shapes and patterns can also
sometimes be used for
structural purposes.
• All those rectangles in the
primary and secondary ribs
support the dome.
• Every artist, especially
architects, do things
purposely, and in the case of
the cathedral, these patterns
were really purposeful.
Florence Cathedral by Arnolfo di Cambio and
Filippo Brunelleschi, 1336

5. • In this detailed print (made from an
engraving of a woodcut) is an
example of the artist using repetition
to create a rhythm and sense of
movement.
• The horizontal lines across the
print induce the idea that the
wind is blowing past these
warriors who are ready for
action.
• Imagine engraving all these lines by
hand? Durer must have a lot of
patience.
• This artwork is so busy because of
the extensive line repetition.
• One may not know where to
start looking at when viewing
this piece. My eyes keep
moving around the entire print.
• The artist intended his print to
appear so busy.
• An apocalypse battle would be
so busy one wouldn’t know
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by
Albrect Durer 1497-1498 Woodcut Print

6. • From the blue lines in the
little girl’s outfit
(foreground) to the
shifting pattern of lights
and darks on the floor,
there is repetition
everywhere in this
painting.
• The lights on the
above, the leaves in
the trees above and
especially the
amount of faces and
bodies are even
repeated various
times.
• The shifting shadows on
the floor help animate the
scene.
Moulin de la Galette -
Pierre-Auguste Renoir,
1876. Oil on Canvas
• The artist Renoir intended this painting to appear so repetitive to create the mood
of movement and animation. The painting

7. • Munch suffered from mental
issues and displayed it in
his works, like this one.
• His pictures conform to
Symbolist theory in that they
depict states of mind,
emotions, or ideas.
• The lines of repetition depict
his wild emotions/thoughs
and the echoes of the world.
• The painting depicts the
theme of anxiety and
suffering.
• The figure covers its
ears to block out the
sounds of his own
screaming.
• Munch’s painting is
something abstract and
begins to hint at
The Scream by Edvard Munch,
1893. Oil, pastel and casein on
cardboard

8. Campbell’s Soup
Cans by Andy
Warhol, 1962.
Synthetic
polymer paint on
canvas
• Why is this
considered art? It
looks like an
advertisement for
Campbell’s soup
• Andy Warhol is the perfect example of Pop Art. Andy Warhol’s expresses his love for American
icons and mass production, but what is so special about this artwork?
• Sure in an art gallery, one would assume it is art, however, if taken out of context and placed
outside a market or library, one would assume it’s an advertisement for Campbell’s.
• Warhol uses repetition to show how mass media markets its products. This art piece allows
people to think differently about simple commercials and products that are mass produced.
• If Warhol only displayed one soup can, it would not be as effective as the whole of soup
cans. Warhol makes a bold statement that says, “Look at me! We are soup cans. Oh! But
wait, we’re not just soup.”
• Warhol has helped influence many contemporary artists. There are so many different artworks
that derive elements like repetition, minimalism, and themes from this art of Warhol.