Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Characters on Canvas




Feel free to analyze, question, caption and otherwise wonder about this painting, as long as you leave with a smile...

Love,
G.

15 comments:

  1. woman always loves a lesser beauty. . .


    Aloha from Honolulu
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  2. It's a clever and amusing piece that's also very strange. On first glance it appears the young woman finds the grotesque burgher to be attractive and then you notice she's letting him 'cop a feel' while relieving him of his purse. The problem is that she's really far too clean and well dressed to be a thief and who is that very creepy clown she's handing the money to? Maybe there's an explanation somewhere or perhaps you might know it yourself. If so, I hope you'll share.

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  3. Susan - I found this interesting Interpretation of Quentin Massy's The Ill-matched Couple

    Quentin Massys depicted the economic life of the times in his paintings, which were often attempting to make a point using satire.

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    Replies
    1. That was a good one and it seems I wasn't far off in my assessment.

      I wonder if you've ever read Gregory Maguire's 'Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister'? It's my favorite of his books, set in the Netherlands in the early 17th century. One of the most fascinating characters is a peculiar artist.

      Delete
    2. Oh, I love novels that feature artists! And as you recommended it, I shall order it from the library as soon as I'm finished with Quiet: The Hidden Power of Introverts by Susan Cain (you may like this book as well) and then I have a book about books by Henry Miller, that I'd like to read after that.

      Thanks for returning. It's the engagement I find most appealing about blogging and you are such a good blogger (and friend) for that! xxoo

      Delete
    3. C'est moi qui vous remercie! says google translate for 'you're welcome' when I learned to say 'Je vous en prie' in school. Maybe the language has changed or maybe that was the reason people in Montreal wouldn't answer me in French when I tried to do the right thing :-)

      It's funny but I happened to read a long review of Susan Cain's book yesterday (now I don't recall what site) but it did look interesting. Thanks for the tip or merci as they may still say in Paris.
      xoxo

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    4. Was it a favorable review? I first learned about her book by following a link to a TED talk she did on introverts. I really liked her poised manner and her quiet sense of humor. :-)

      As for the French language - it slipped out of my brain like sand through a sieve, as I was learning to speak English, which happened very, very quickly. Perhaps my brain could not handle three languages all at once, or perhaps it was the culture shock.As an adult, I find it the most difficult of the Romance languages. I can read and understand the most basic French but to speak it illudes me...

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    5. Yes, it was a very favorable review but as with so many things these days there were a number of cranky commenters.

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  4. Cloudia - :-)

    Ill-matched couples continue into today, don't they? Funny thing is, it's almost always the man who is too short or too plain and the woman who is the beauty. In the case of this painting and perhaps in many contemporary situations, the man is in possession of abundant financial resources and fame. "She is only after his money!" Clearly that's the very concrete statement made in the painting!

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  5. She seems to be passing something to the gent behind her! What an interesting painting. Thanks, Gina!

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    Replies
    1. Always my pleasure, Sandy! I hope you and your daughter are well. Always so good to receive your comments.

      Delete
  6. Spadoman has left a new comment on your post "Characters on Canvas":

    Seems like the thoughts hand motives of the subjects are captured in this painting. A applaud you for presenting art to the masses through your blog posts. Someday, I'd like to go to an art museum, but I would want you to escort me.

    Peace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry again, for deleting your comment...it's early here. :-)

      Thanks for your kindness and sincerity; qualities I value highly. It's not always easy to make those qualities come across online. You are one of the few.

      I would be honored to take you on a tour of a museum tour - come to western Massachusetts and we will visit the home of Nymphs and Satyr (my blog header painting) which is at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown. A beautiful location with fabulous art!

      Delete

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