The moon has long been seen as an artistic device among painters. The light from featured in moon posters gives even familiar objects a majestically mysterious quality that has fascinated artists throughout the history of art. Additionally, the moon is considered a symbol of secrets, femininity, magic, and creative inspiration.
The moon is typically portrayed as either a crescent or full moon, which were both seen as pivotal times in astrological art. Very rarely are any other forms seen, though whether this is due to artistic concerns or because of some other reason is unknown. Many moon paintings portray human features on the moon's surface, such as in Robert LaDuke's whimsical works featuring this cosmic fixture.
Others choose to grant the moon an actual human form, which is a popular style in mythological and fantasy art. One famous artist who humanized the moon is Alphonse Mucha, whose signature style captured the mystery and wild allure of moon poster in his work, 'Moon'. Other fantasy artists also use such creatures as fairies, dragons, and elves as elements in their moon art.
Oriental forms of art also have categories of moon artwork. Because of the contemplative natures of Chinese and Japanese art, the tranquil solitude of the moon has been a fascinating subject for many of these artists, though for different reasons.
In Chinese art, the moon is associated with legends of the Moon Goddess Chang'e, the Moon Rabbit, and is the home of the toad, a wise figure in Chinese mythology. Because of the isolation of this kingdom from the world of mortals, this art typically shows the moon as a small object in the upper sections of the painting with large, towering landscapes around it, allowing the viewer to contemplate their distance from the divine.
In Japanese art, the moon itself, rather than the space between Heaven and Earth, is a popular element in paintings. One of the signature styles of Japanese art is a full moon being partially obscured by sakura, or cherry blossom, branches as a depiction of nebulous, feminine beauty.
