Term: Repetition

Repetition is a principle of design where a recurring shape, form, line, or motif occurs within a single work of art. Repetition not only includes identical elements but also those whose form is similar in some way. That similarity might be in the outline, color, tone, or even the brightness or saturation of the elements.

Repetition is one of the devices an artist can use to move a viewer's eye across the surface of a canvas. The artist must also ensure that the repeated elements occur with some variation to keep them interesting. If things are repeated without any change they can quickly become boring.

Here is an analysis of Monet's painting entitled "Palazzo del Mula Venice." Note the number and type of repeated elements. Can you see more?

• The following objects appear more than one in the painting: gondolas, cabins at the aft of the boats, balconies and some of the windows.
• Similar shapes and colors are used on the blue posts, which frame the doorway on the far left side of the painting, and the set of posts found to the right of that doorway. The same shape and color appear again to the right of the second frame, this time in front of the building next door. Finally, the two mooring posts for the boats, while spaced further apart than the previous posts, compose a similar shape and are rendered using the same color.