Asymmetrical

Childe Hassam, North American; American, 1859-1935
Improvisation,
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Formerly in The AMICO Library

Asymmetrical Balance can be achieved even when the two sides of the composition lack symmetry, if they seem to possess the same visual weight.  In this picture, Improvisation for Childe Hassam we see light-colored area as light in weight, and dark-colored areas as dense and heavy. The light area where the woman-playing piano, is larger than the dark one because it’s more important.