Off-topic - which artists do you like?

[Leslie]

A nearby museum (The Peabody Essex Museum aka PEM) is having an exhibit of Alexander Calder. I am hoping to convince my dad to go with me to see it as both he & I like Calder's mobiles, such as this one (Big Red in the Whitney Museum):

[Jenny]

I missed your post Leslie! Did you end up going?

The discussion of Paul and Greg over in 'What are you doing right now' just reminded me of the first painter I ever really liked: Albrecht Dürer

His self-portrait:




was hanging right over our couch and when I realized that painting for a living was a proper profession, I was at peace with the world, because that's what I did all day at the time (remarkably that never actually translated in any sort of talent of craft LOL) and somehow being adult for me was defined by the fact that you don't get to paint anymore but have to do 'proper' stuff. ;)

As I child I think I loved his animal drawings best, like this one:

[Greg]

How funny Jenny - I'm going to give away my ignorance now; I was only familiar with his engravings such as:



One of his engravings I saw in person was his fanciful engraving of a Rhino done based on a verbal description (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%B...) - I saw it as part of an art exhibit surrounding the Rhino in art and particularly Clara the Rhinoceros (who toured England in the 1700s and inflamed the popular imagination, including its artists).

From your post, I can see that his paintings and drawings were equally stunning!

[Jenny]

something like this?

[Greg]

That's the one :) Armor plating and all.

[Bionic Jean]

I love the rabbit. And the amazing praying hands (despite not being religious.) And isn't there an incredibly detailed patch of grass? This meticulous - or obsessive - attention to detail seem to have been an indication of some sort of mental disorder with Richard Dadd, but I haven't heard that about Durer. Do you know anything about his life, Jenny?

[Jenny]

Love the rabbit as well Jean.

I don't know much about his life, just that - compared to other artists of his time - he seemed less inclined to scandal or madness. Apparently he was the first person to ever systematically 'sign' his paintings.
He always strikes me as really devoted to his work, though what I think is interesting is that whenever I read about him I have the feeling he treated it like craftsmanship more than art.

[Bionic Jean]

I didn't know that about the signature - only that it is instantly recognisable - a little graphic icon itself. Yes, perhaps the attention to detail is him taking a pride in the skill and accomplishment of his work.

[LauraT]

Greg wrote: "How funny Jenny - I'm going to give away my ignorance now; I was only familiar with his engravings such as:



One of his engravings I saw in person was his fanciful engraving of a Rhino done based..."

That engraving is the cover for an italian book by Leonardo Sciascia:The Day of the Owl - couldn't find it here!!!

[Greg]

Interesting Laura! That would make a great cover!

[Paul]

I am big fan of photography, though not everyone counts that as art. A friend takes pictures like these:

http://dorsetscouser.com/stargazing/

The first in the sequence is just north of where I live, and there are pictures from all along the Dorset coast

[Bionic Jean]

We noticed just how bright and clear the stars were in Dorset last week Paul, even on days when it had seemed quite overcast.

And I always feel that closeup photos taken in Abbotsbury's floodlit gardens have an abstract quality not unlike some paintings.

[Paulfozz]

Greg wrote: "How funny Jenny - I'm going to give away my ignorance now; I was only familiar with his engravings such as:

One of his engravings I saw in person was his fanciful engraving of a Rhino done based..."

I saw those Durer engravings at the British Museum yesterday (and the porcelain reproduction of the Rhinoceros) - they were pretty impressive. Although the style isn't one I felt drawn to I found the craftsmanship masterly.

I don't really have a favourite artist as such, though I do particularly like the prints by Robert Gillmor, who I discovered as he creates the cover art for the New Naturalist books I collect:



Spine art by Robert Gillmor:



An interview with him on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiI3P...

[Bionic Jean]

This painting is by Richard Dadd - probably his most famous work "The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke", which he painted in Bethlem Hospital (the original for the word "bedlam") after murdering his father:


This painter was the one I had in mind when we were talking about Durer's attention to detail. "The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke" is in the Tate Gallery, in London. It is quite small, but incredibly precise and detailed. Surprisingly often, you find that reproductions of Richard Dadd's paintings are in fact details from this one.

[Paulfozz]

There's a LOT going on there!

[B the BookAddict]

Oh god, I'm still looking in the thread for the rabbit Jean and Jenny mentioned. I'll definitely need a drink at the pub, if ever I can find that here as well, closing time or not. from 'lost in early morning AU':)

[Bionic Jean]

For Bette:

Durer "Young Hare"

Dadd - a link to "Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke"

(I'm never sure how clear the images are when I post them direct.)

[B the BookAddict]

lol, thanks Jean. That is a fantastic image. Durer's brushstroke is genius!

[Greg]

Wow Jean, that rabbit by Durer is amazing!

[Leslie]

Greg wrote: "Wow Jean, that rabbit by Durer is amazing!"

I agree! I like the owl Jenny posted as well.

@Jenny, regarding the Calder exhibit -- not yet! Dad & I are going next week. I did go to the sculpture garden near here a few weeks ago and took photos but haven't gotten them online yet. But here was my favorite

[Bionic Jean]

I love that! Echoes of so many people - Andy Goldsworthy especially. Who is the sculptor please?

[Bionic Jean]

Following on from the "This Day in Literary History" thread here's a link to some images by the surrealist painter Edgar Ende, father of the author Michael Ende

http://visualmelt.com/Edgar-Ende

[Greg]

Thanks Jean - I love these paintings, and I'd never heard of Ende's father until Jenny's post!

[Bionic Jean]

That's exactly how I feel, Greg! :)

[Bionic Jean]

There a controversial exhibition of sculptures by Allen Jones, starting here at the Royal Academy watch the short video clip on this BBC link.

My view? Sensible man, Will Gompertz. No, it isn't "what society was like" as the artist claims. I was there too!

Now take a look at this image, by Tom Wesselmann, from 1967 link is here. (It was originally called "Still life with Breast" but now has been renamed "Bedroom Tit Box"). Same time, same Art movement. I remember a current interview with the model. And no, SHE was not "objectified". But those models used by Allen Jones are. And ironically, it's even worse now. I have a feeling this exhibition will be very popular :/

[B the BookAddict]

@Jean. I like my art kinda old-fashioned; the Old Masters are my favourites. Jones' work, especially Chair and Coffee Table, seem 'over the top sexual' to me. Just seems like 'tits and ass' to me and the positions are sexually demeaning in my opinion.

I love a classic nude painting or statue; Dhanaraj share with us recently one called The Kiss which I adore. The female body can be shown to be so beautiful in the hands of the 'right' artist.

[Bionic Jean]

Yes, although I'm a 20th century Art enthusiast, I agree that in this case "the artist protests too much". That's why I linked to the other artist, with a similar provenance and tradition.

It annoys me intensely when people rewrite history like this. Society and Art was not all like that in 1967. I remember differently, and I was on my way to Art College, not heavily mascara'd and propping up a table ...

[Chrissie]

Doesn't anybody like Andrew and Jamie Wyeth? I think father and son are great!

[Phoenix]

Chrissie wrote: "Doesn't anybody like Andrew and Jamie Wyeth? I think father and son are great!"

I like Andrew's theory behind the necessity of realism and getting lost in the action of the work like Tolstoy would. I'll have to do more research into their art.

[Chrissie]

OPhoenix, :0)))) Check out his pigs and sheep and ......

[B the BookAddict]

@Chrissie Although the names are familiar, I couldn't picture the work. Had a quick look at some of Jamie's work and agree, his pigs and sheep are wonderful. I also like his portraits and paintings of scenery.

[Chrissie]

Bette and Phoenix, the paintings are extremely precise and yet they leave an emotional impact too. I agree about the landscapes, Bette. Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic and Jamie Wyeth are worth checking out.

[B the BookAddict]

@Chrissie Thanks for the links:)

[Chrissie]

those are two I enjoyed.

[Paulfozz]

I don't know who any of the the artists were but I was astonished by the incredible detail and artistry in the hairpins of Lady Wei, a Prince's wife from the Ming dynasty in China, when I saw them again yesterday at the British Museum. There's a photo of them on this webpage, though it doesn't really do them justice

http://www.ancientchina.org.uk/ming-t...
(pic: http://www.ancientchina.org.uk/wp-con...)

There were so many incredible artists shown there that are unrecorded, some of the silk scroll paintings of the period beggar belief and are so fine it's difficult to see how you could paint them. Also there was a jade belt which was carved into intricate multi-layered shapes that interwove and I have no idea how you would go about doing that!

Also the artistry in creating the red lacquerware bowls and tables - those were beautiful, such as this one created for the Yongle Emperor, which was amazing, it was absolutely stunning in person and the leaves just looked so real (albeit in red!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiHye...

[Chrissie]

Thank you, Paulfozz. Oriental art takes your breath away. Silk scrolls and intricately designed clothes are what impress me most....if one dares to choose. Thank you for the links.

[Paulfozz]

It's difficult to know where you would draw the line between craftsmanship and artistry but it's certainly the older unrecorded craftsmen whose work seem to affect me more than the famous masterpiece or modern artist. We tend to think of post-renaissance art as being more advanced and older artists as slightly primitive, but I've certainly had my eyes opened recently and would argue that although we may have developed some sophistication there are aspects that we've lost; we tend towards quicker results and pieces that are temporary in nature. In comparison that small lacquerware box for the Ming emperor might have taken a year to make and has lasted 500 years.

[Chrissie]

Paulfozz wrote: "It's difficult to know where you would draw the line between craftsmanship and artistry but it's certainly the older unrecorded craftsmen whose work seem to affect me more than the famous masterpieces of modern artists...."

Must one choose? Cannot one appreciate both? I personally think it is just as important to craft beautiful daily objects. Right now I am thinking abut the grill stands around the trees in Tokyo. they are beautiful and they are on the ground with dead leaves around them. i am thinking also of how in Prague the blocks of the pavements are put in beautiful patterns. That is art too. Particularly in Japan attention is made to enhancing the beauty of every aspect of life. I don't understand the Japanese fascination of hanging little plastic dolls from everything and purses with "Kitty" on them. you get what I mean...... This is all so un-Japanese. (I tend to prefer Japanese over Chinese art since they simplify; they know what to remove and only leave what has to be there.In my view....)

Another thing I think that is interesting is how both realistic and unrealistic art, BOTH can be tremendous. Art has to move you. There are many ways to do it. I cannot pick just one art style.I just read a bit about El Greco in Of Human Bondage and it got be thinking of the two approaches.

[Paulfozz]

Chrissie wrote: "Must one choose? Cannot one appreciate both?"

Hear hear! Art purists would probably say that craft is nice but art is about representing ideas… which I never really appreciate or understand as I'm far too uncultured to comprehend that aspect - I think of it as 'the waffly stuff'. ;-) Quite seriously though; when people start talking about art interpretation it really does my head in! It's the same with hidden meanings of literature - I don't really have a brain that can deal with those kinds of concepts, it just goes right over my head.

I know what you mean about everyday objects - sometimes those are the things that really make you stop and think.

[Chrissie]

I do not appreciate literary criticism. What I want from art is that it makes me feel something, that it moves me. I don't want to be told how I should be thinking or responding. It is true that knowing more about the life of an artist can make their objects d'art more interesting. I know most people will not agree with me.

[Greg]

Chrissie, I think a lot of literary criticism is useless because it ignores the essence of the book to play intellectual games & demonstrate prowess.

I think good literary criticsm, however, has the potential to open up new ways of experiencing a book - but only with critics that have enough intellectual honesty & emotional engagement to understand the heart of a book. When criticism ignores the heart of the book (the beating center) and only snatches at the periphery, it can produce nothing but dead flesh because the blood won't flow.

[Bionic Jean]

Feeling slightly squeamish here - have you been looking at works by Damien Hirst, Greg :D

Actually, I do agree with you. Hate pseuds - love thinkers!

[Greg]

Haha Jean :)

[Gill]

I saw my first drawings by Käthe Kollwitz this week. I found them incredibly moving.
Here's some information about her:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A4t...

[Story]

Greg wrote: "I like Chagall a lot Chrissie. Diane, Ivan Albright is interesting - never heard of him before.

One of my favourites is Remedios Varo, a Spanish painter who fled to France during the Spanish civil..."

I love Remedios Varos's painting too and also Leonora Carrington's work. Has anyone read Carington's novel The Hearing Trumpet?

[Story]

Jean wrote: "This painting is by Richard Dadd - probably his most famous work "The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke", which he painted in Bethlem Hospital (the original for the word "bedlam") after murdering his fa..."

That's amazing. Thank you for sharing it. I would love to see this one in person.

[Greg]

@Storyheart, yes!! I found The Hearing Trumpet extremely entertaining - the beginning especially was hilarious!

[Greg]

Gill wrote: "I saw my first drawings by Käthe Kollwitz this week. I found them incredibly moving.
Here's some information about her:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A4t..."

I like her work a lot too Gill - very moving as you say, a perfect style for the subject matter.

[Paulfozz]

Gill wrote: "I saw my first drawings by Käthe Kollwitz this week. I found them incredibly moving.
Here's some information about her:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A4t..."

I'd seen her war sculpture but that's all I really know about her. It's not work I particularly 'like' as such, but it's extremely powerful and difficult not to react emotionally to.

In the Christchurh Mansion at Ipswich they have a gallery of John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough paintings and they are showing Constable's painting of Salisbury Cathedral:

https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/co...

It was amazing to see, and it's huge - bigger than I expected. Quite something, though I still think I prefer some of his small observational paintings. In the same room they have his painting of the flower garden at Golding Constable's house. It's not an impressive painting, just a view from a window, but the skill and observation he shows in it are just remarkable. I spent an age just taking it all in:

http://www.artfund.org/supporting-mus...

[Bionic Jean]

Have you noticed the google doodle today? A step up from usual - it's a painting by Leonora Carrington. She would have been 98 today!

link here

I haven't read The Hearing Trumpet but last month I read a very good book on her, Leonora Carrington: Surrealism, Alchemy and Art by Susan Aberth.

My review is here