Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Midnight

Name Class Date

charles james mccall, Midnight. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
charles james mccall artsdot.com/en/artists/charles-james-mccall/
Artist’s dates
1907 – 1989
Original size
80 x 43 cm

In context

Midnight — charles james mccall

How big is it?

The original measures 80 × 43 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1900
  2. 1910
  3. 1920
  4. 1930
  5. 1940
  6. 1950
  7. 1960
  8. 1970
  9. 1980

Shaded: the lifetime of charles james mccall (1907–1989)

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

  • William McCall, 1935 artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-william-mccall-AR2BLU-en/
  • The Hat Shop artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-the-hat-shop-AR2BM8-en/
  • Maquillage artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-maquillage-AR2BM6-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/charles-james-mccall-midnight-AR2BM2-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #624e40

    Catalogued palette

    • #624E40
    • #9A8166
    • #CEAF94
    • #412D27
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    charles james mccall

    early life and influences

    charles james mccall, a painter whose works have been largely overlooked, yet whose contributions to the art world are undeniable. born in 1907, mccall's early life is shrouded in mystery, much like his artwork, which often explores the realms of the unknown and the unspoken.

    mccall's formative years were marked by an intense interest in the arts, with a focus on painting as his primary medium.

    influenced by the works of henri matisse, whose piece antibes (available for viewing at AllPaintingsStore's collection), mccall developed a unique style that blended elements of fauvism with his own brand of mysticism.

    his travels, though not well-documented, are believed to have taken him across europe, influencing his work with diverse cultural and artistic insights.

    artistic style and notable works

    mccall's paintings, characterized by their dreamlike quality, often feature landscapes and figures in states of transformation. while specific details about his works are scarce, it is known that he experimented with various techniques to achieve a sense of depth and otherworldliness.

    three musicians, a piece inspired by the cubist movement (akin to pablo picasso's work, viewable at AllPaintingsStore's collection), showcases mccall's ability to blend disparate elements into a cohesive whole.

    other notable works, such as the comedy, reflect his interest in the human condition and the mysteries of existence, much like dante marozzi's sculpture (featured at AllPaintingsStore's collection).

    legacy and influence

    though mccall's life and work remain somewhat enigmatic, his influence on subsequent generations of artists is undeniable. his unique blend of mysticism and fauvism has inspired many to explore the boundaries of art and its ability to transcend reality.

    AllPaintingsStore's collection, featuring a wide range of artistic styles and periods (including medieval art, renaissance art, and abstract art), serves as a testament to the enduring power of art.

    mccall's legacy, much like his artwork, continues to intrigue and inspire, a reminder that sometimes the most profound statements are made in silence.

    conclusion

    charles james mccall's life may be shrouded in mystery, but his art speaks volumes about the human experience. as we continue to uncover the layers of his enigmatic existence, one thing is clear: his influence on the world of art will endure for generations to come. the art of stained glass and eva prokopcová's mixed technique artworks, available at AllPaintingsStore, further exemplify the diverse artistic expressions that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Midnight

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/charles-james-mccall-midnight-AR2BM2-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    mccall, charles james. Midnight. n.d., https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-midnight-AR2BM2-en/
    APA
    mccall, charles james (n.d.). Midnight [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-midnight-AR2BM2-en/
    Chicago
    charles james mccall. Midnight. n.d. https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-midnight-AR2BM2-en/
    Harvard
    mccall, charles james (n.d.) Midnight. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-james-mccall-midnight-AR2BM2-en/

    Look closely

    Midnight — charles james mccall

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at William McCall (1935), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?
    5. If you could ask the artist one question about this work, what would it be?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.