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Principles of Design Examples
Identify the principle of design that is best illustrated by each example work of art. Remember the principles of design are: movement, rhythm, balance, proportion, emphasis, variety, and harmony.
- This work best illustrates what principle of design?
Grant Wood, American Gothic, 1930, oil on canvas. Image is in the public domain.
Answer: Harmony - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Balla, Giacomo. Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash. 1921, oil on canvas, Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
Answer: Movement - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring, 1665, oil on canvas. Image is in the public domain.
Answer: Emphasis - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Sandy Skoglund, A Breeze at Work. Image "Sandy Skoglund – Breeze at Work (1987)" by cea+ is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Answer: Rhythm - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
South Transept Rose Window, Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France, 1221-1230, stained glass. Image is from iStock.
Answer: Balance - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Benton, Thomas Hart. Corn and Winter Wheat. 1948, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art.
Answer: Proportion - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Dalí, Salvador. The Persistence of Memory. 1931, oil on canvas, Museum of Modern Art.
Answer: Variety - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
Katsushika Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa or The Great Wave, 1830-1832, woodblock print, ink on paper. Image is in the public domain.
Answer: Movement - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
African mask illustration. Image from iStock.
Answer: Balance - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Claes Oldenburg, Spoonbridge and Cherry. Image "Famous Spoonbridge and Cherry Sculpture with the Minneapolis Skyline" by Richie Diesterheft licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Answer: Proportion - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Magritte, Rene. Son of Man. 1964, oil on canvas, private collection.
Answer: Emphasis - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
Mary Cassatt, The Child's Bath, 1893, oil on canvas. Image is in the public domain.
Answer: Harmony - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893, oil and crayon on cardboard. Image is in the public domain.
Answer: Rhythm - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Lawrence, Jacob. Street to Mbari. 1964, tempera over graphite on wove paper, National Gallery of Art.
Answer: Balance - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
© Grooms, Red. Chance Encounter at 3 A.M. 1984, oil on canvas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Answer: Variety - This work best illustrates what principle of design?
Edgar Degas, The Rehearsal Onstage, 1874, pastel over brush-and-ink drawing. Image is in the public domain.
Answer: Movement
