Poems from Paintings

by Jill Saudek

These poems were inspired by works of art, chosen across place and time for their intrinsic power and the challenge they present to provoke thoughts and feelings in the viewer.

Ideally, readers should find a reproduction of the painting – easily available on the internet – to contemplate, before reading the poem. The hope is that readers might become aware of previously unnoticed aspects of the work and be interested in seeing how their own responses match or indeed conflict with those of the author.

Thus, the collection aims to offer an invitation to contribute to an ongoing dialogue between the artist, the poet and the reader. All art forms open a window into other lives and ways of seeing; this interplay between the genres provides an opportunity to reflect upon much that lies beyond one’s own immediate experience.

232 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2022

Reviews

[Laura Hawryluck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book for anyone who loves to wander through art museums, pause and reflect on the paintings before them. Ms Saudek offers a starting g point for reflections and discussion of some of the greatest works of art. In a time when travel is still challenging, this book allows the reader to feel like they have indeed travelled to and are present in hallowed spaces of art museums around the world especially if read as it’s intended by pulling up the subject paintings. If you love art museums as much as I do, this book is a gem that will only deepen the experiences and emotions evoked by masterworks