Figure in the Sunroom
To meet Mary's request for tonight, something from Modigliani
Marc Chagall
Russian
Venus
Kees Van Dongen
John Kock
Jean Beauduin
Lady Holding a Fan
John Collier
English Classical painter
An eleventh-hour request for Anders Zorn from my very own WP
An eleventh-hour request for Anders Zorn from my very own WP
Good night to be nude by the fire, don't you think? ;-)
Beautiful set! I love the wet skin and fireglow in the Zorn at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe palm leaves in silhouette in the Beauduin are just right - something strong enough to balance that side, and such a tactile difference to the softness of the figure, and her hair. And an echo of the fan in her hand, the fanning pleats of her skirt, even the rays of the shadows around the chair buttons. It seemed like a serious work, until I started noticing all this playful use of motif.
The John Koch is lovely for the light, but what I was most struck by was the unusual composition - so much emphasis on the bottom - such a tall space above the figure. And the low "horizon line" of the painting (it almost reads like a landscape) is emphasized by the perfect placement of the darkness of her pubic area. I'm also reminded of Venus, born of the foam of the waves (in this case represented by the sheets and bedskirt).
Such a yummy yellow, and use of it, in the Kustodiyev. A young Valkyrie bathing - caught in an unguarded moment.
I think every Chagall is a dream.
I wish I could see the Rose Hilton in the original - so see how she applied the colors. What gorgeous use of pink and green.
My favorite is the John Collier. But I thought that was Lady Godiva?
ReplyDeleteBeach Bum: you are correct! Lilith is another Collier painting. Thanks for pointing that out. And good of you to stop by!
ReplyDeleteSteve: as usual your brilliant eye takes in everything. I love it. You actually enhance my appreciation of the art I post. Thank you again and again.
I'm a bit more plain-spoken. I suppose that is one reason why I appreciate your comments so much. It's like my words can't conjure what my eye takes in and even more difficult, is when I have a very strong emotional reaction to a work of art.
You wrote: "Such a yummy yellow, and use of it, in the Kustodiyev". That painting stole me in this set. I am a sucker for yellow. I love her hair that draws the eye downward toward the yellow towel and washbasin. Is that laurel she is holding? I'm just discovering this artist and I am smitten!
Pagan: I'm not sure what she's holding. since I picture this as a Norse sauna type scene, I'm imagining those branches being used to whisk the skin and get greater penetration of the steam, more blood to the surface, and greater shock when she plunges into the cold water outside. And the way that yellow directs the eye - exactly as you said... My eye kept going round and round that series of shapes, going right where the artist leads. It's a kind of conjuring...
ReplyDeleteI always thought that one by Collier was Lady Godiva too :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's always a treat to read Steve's comments about the artwork he views with such care. I've gone back to each of these paintings and have appreciated them even more in light of his musings. I'd stop and say more myself but now it's time to get dinner ready so I can lounge by the fire in the nude later :-)
Sounds good to me, Susan! If you have a long week-end, I hope it is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteParticularly love the Chagall and Modigliani. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSG: I know you are a Modigliani fan. As am I - I'm just brimming to create a long post of his work. I have one in the works for Chagall - a painter who created so many amazing works on canvas, that it is hard to choose a representative sample without posting at least twenty images! Stay tuned!
ReplyDeletewow beautiful collection!
ReplyDelete