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journal of Eugène Delacroix: a selection
Delacroix's Journal is one of the great documents in art history, a magnificent work of literature as well as vital documentary source for scholars and students. In it the artist discusses his own paintings, his life, his sorrow and hopes; the paintings and sculptures of Rubens, Michelangelo, Constable, Bonington and old and new literature and the music of Mozart, Rossini and Chopin, the events of his time.
- GenresArtNonfiction
504 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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July 12, 2020
Whooooooooo, is Delacroix a prolific writer about a multitude of topics! I love reading journals and biographies of artists, and this one is a pot of gold. Apparently, Delacroix had an opinion on everything!
(regarding emotion) "We should do everything calmly and only react emotionally to great works of art or noble deeds." Isn't emotion the key to art?
(regarding longevity) "The only thing they had in common was early rising and, above all, not dozing off once they were awake."
(regarding criticism) "I have to fight against poverty and my natural laziness, I have to feel enthusiastic about my work in order to earn my living, and brutes like these intrude even into my lair, nip my inspiration in the bud and measure me up with their glasses - these people who would not have cared to be Rubens."
(regarding poets) "How many of them have really described what a nightingale makes one feel?"
(regarding writers) "But what is this urge not only to write, but to publish one's work? Besides the pleasure of being praised, there is the thought of communicating with other souls capable of understanding one's own, and thus one's work becoming a meeting place for the souls of all men. For what is the use of the approval of one's friends?" Ask today's influencers!
(on aging) "How sad it is that we reach the age of experience just as our own strength begins to fail! What a cruel mockery on the part of nature is this gift of talent! It comes only after years of study have exhausted the strength needed to carry out the work." Ain't that the truth!!!
(on viewing animals) "I felt my whole being rise above common places and trivialities and petty worries of my daily life."
(on intelligence) "Most men's brains lie fallow for the greater part of their lives." And then they get into government... *cough*
(on experts) "Authorities are the ruination of great talents."
(regarding happiness) "I have convinced myself that it rests entirely in feeling satisfied with oneself."
(on art books) "Most books on art are written by people who are not practicing artists, hence so many wrong ideas."
I'll stop here, but this book is a treasure trove of opinions!
(regarding emotion) "We should do everything calmly and only react emotionally to great works of art or noble deeds." Isn't emotion the key to art?
(regarding longevity) "The only thing they had in common was early rising and, above all, not dozing off once they were awake."
(regarding criticism) "I have to fight against poverty and my natural laziness, I have to feel enthusiastic about my work in order to earn my living, and brutes like these intrude even into my lair, nip my inspiration in the bud and measure me up with their glasses - these people who would not have cared to be Rubens."
(regarding poets) "How many of them have really described what a nightingale makes one feel?"
(regarding writers) "But what is this urge not only to write, but to publish one's work? Besides the pleasure of being praised, there is the thought of communicating with other souls capable of understanding one's own, and thus one's work becoming a meeting place for the souls of all men. For what is the use of the approval of one's friends?" Ask today's influencers!
(on aging) "How sad it is that we reach the age of experience just as our own strength begins to fail! What a cruel mockery on the part of nature is this gift of talent! It comes only after years of study have exhausted the strength needed to carry out the work." Ain't that the truth!!!
(on viewing animals) "I felt my whole being rise above common places and trivialities and petty worries of my daily life."
(on intelligence) "Most men's brains lie fallow for the greater part of their lives." And then they get into government... *cough*
(on experts) "Authorities are the ruination of great talents."
(regarding happiness) "I have convinced myself that it rests entirely in feeling satisfied with oneself."
(on art books) "Most books on art are written by people who are not practicing artists, hence so many wrong ideas."
I'll stop here, but this book is a treasure trove of opinions!
Displaying 1 of 1 review