Study Task 1 - Image analysis

On the following task, we were asked to write a comparative 500 words critical analysis between these two images:

To start with , by looking at these two images the first impression is that they have no that much  in common, due to the fact that one shows Uncle Sam, which made us think of America, and the other one about Africa due to the figures shown (natives) and the savannah background, typically from Africa. Two completely different places on the map , but by looking at them more closely, some similarities start to make sense.

In the first image, the font used is a very Wild West style (1876) used in numerous publications, articles and propaganda poster. In addition, the illustration's quality shows what it seems a screen-print from that time. The excessive use of blues, reds, whites, stars and bars on the image is probably used intentionally looking for a specific audience, in this case, North Americans, and being more specific patriots of the country. On the other hand, the other two images are sharing a very simple font, but the media and quality of the painting is much more artistic if is compared with the other one. It might be for the influence of the european culture. These bright flat colours without strong lines it reminds me of some of the european art movements such as the Fauvism (early 20th century, France) which is accurate comparing both dates.

The purpose on the first image it might be confusing at the first look, because there are too many details to look at, and perhaps that was the first intention of the image maker, to hide a strong message under a familiar and comfortable dinner appearance. However, the intention of this illustration was to sell a product to the market, an Uncle Sam's Cooker although the way to present it is rather a bit overwhelming  by all those American symbolism like the eagle. That said , plus all the countries listed on the paper by the "Earth" it kinds of shows to the world how powerful and self-sufficient America is at this moment.

On the other hand, the second image, thanks to the combination of these two illustrations together, it makes much easier to describe at the very first look. In the first part, it shows an African tribe, working as a family, notwithstanding  any  technology advance, just their regular methods. But when looking at the second image something has changed. The african tribe is no longer working for their survival and own benefit, but helping the "White man" with their goal. Having in mind the dates when these images were made , the theme is clearly about the colonisation  period of european countries over Africa. Assuming the characteristic cloths of the white man , it might be England who was behind this image. The true message could be shown as how beneficial  the colonisation process is , not just for England , but for the African people who can now have a real opportunity to develop technology. Also developing the country itself,  becoming more "civilised" thanks to other countries.

Both images are trying to express how beneficial developed countries are for the rest who are not yet.