Art Lovers discussion
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Close and Connected
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I'm back! I wasn't just going to pose a question and leave the rest of the thread to you all. I'll start and hopefully some of you will want to join in?I found quite a few paintings that I think are intriguing. I want to post some that definitely show some personal space among the figures, and others showing more of a physical connection. I wanted to stay away from the typical 'kiss' scenes, we've done quite a few of those in several other threads and I'm sure we're pretty familiar with a lot of them. Hopefully I've found some new or lesser-known art for you to enjoy!
Aside from saying I wanted to stay away from 'the kiss' and from works that we are already familiar with, I do want to post this one for a different reason:
The Lovers II
Rene Magritte
1928
Yes, they are 'kissing' but notice they have a sheet over their heads. There are different speculations as to why Magritte painted them this way. For this thread, I am going to propose that though they are 'connected' in a kiss, they are also separated by the sheets between them, giving a sort of distance in the act, a n unseen space.
Any thoughts about this? What does this painting make you think of?
Cardinal and Nun (Caress)
Egon Schiele
1912
The subject of this painting is obvious, but what about the look on her face? Maybe the Cardinal is in her personal space, perhaps more for religious reasons, or personal comfort, or another reason?
Another Schiele...
The Hermits
1912
Pierre and Charles
Louisa Gagliardi
2015
In The Garden
Pierre Auguste Renoir
1885
Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
A couple is seen relaxing and surrounded by the beauty of the garden. The man gazes at the lady, seemingly eager to capture her attention. A bouquet of flowers lay on the table. He holds one hand and wraps the other around her waist, while she gazes at the viewer.
The love of the young man seems to be unrequited.
Return of the Prodical Son
Rembrandt
The love seen here is unconditional, and is the type of love that comes from a forgiving parent. The father welcomes his son home after squandering his inheritance, while the other son stands judgementally.
The oil painting was created two years before Rembrandt’s death, and is considered by many to be one of his finest works of art.
Find the painting at Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.
Which work or works of art depict closeness and/or a connectedness and would show the breaking down of taboos associated with personal space?
I know in the United States we seem to have a larger personal space. And maybe even that is different in different states? I’ve never lived in New York City but do they have a closer personal space because there are so many people in such a crowded area verses someone from Kansas (for example)?
I’ve heard that we have a larger personal space because the country is large itself so we have more room and thus we take more room for ourselves in our own ‘space’.
When I went to Europe, especially riding the public transportation in Italy, it seemed nobody had any personal space or a concept of staying out of mine! I was surprised at how close people would get to me, even in just having a conversation. And they are much more open with greetings and affection, as in the kiss on both cheeks in salutation. We just don’t do that here. When I first got there, it took a bit of getting used to.
Any comments about this?