Modigliani painted mostly portraits and nudes. Combining drugs, alcohol, and tuberculosis, he developed a unique style but died young at the age of 35. Even though he became really famous, I can’t recommend this career path. I’m pretty sure this is Amedeo’s Parisian girlfriend Jeanne Hebuterne, who committed suicide shortly after Modigliani’s death. Tragedy times two. Again, good for sales but not recommended.
Who doesn’t love a good picnic? These two chaps are having a wonderful time in a Paris park with a couple of “ladies”. Fruit, cheese, wine, and sparkling conversation -Great stuff! Painted in 1863 this picture was considered scandalous at the time. Nudes were common in painting but not portrayed as naked women cavorting with well dressed men. Manet really stirred the pot with this one!
In case your Tahitian is weak, the title translates as : “Spirit of the Dead Watching”. I suppose technically this probably doesn’t qualify as a nude but it does have nudity and that is good enough for me. I like a little story and intrigue with my nudes and this painting delivers. The spirit is watching, but is she watching over or haunting the young girl? And, was Gauguin her haunter or protector? My bet – the former. Tisk tisk Mr Gauguin.
Venus, the Roman goddess of love and other stuff, emerges naked from the ocean on a huge clamshell. Painted in 1486 this huge painting is a nice starting point for our study of the nude. Venus’s innocent expression and long flowing hair add a nice sense of modesty to the overall composition. In fact, with hair like that you could paint me nude. Almost.
I love this painting especially the title. Jesus hangs on a fence post cross while the farmer retires for dinner. Kurelek was complex and crazy, and this picture deserves a serious analysis (not from me). My Blog Rating has been slipping, so next week NUDES!
Our study of Canadian landscapes can’t be complete without a visit to the Prairies (that big flat bit in the middle). Sorry, I had to just make up a title. I don’t get paid to do deep research. I think this painting beautifully depicts the vastness of the prairies and the solitude of the wheat farmer. I like my title, but does anybody really care?
Over the last seven days we have seen seven Canadian landscapes from the Group of Seven. We have seen trees and wind and snow and mountains and beavers. All very Canadian, but lacking something. A trip into the bush, or a painting of it, is not complete, for me, without a cooler full of beer. If you agree please sign my petition to have Gary J. Nay (notice the initial) inducted into the new Group of Eight. Crack a cold one for Canadian art today!
Ok what is going on here? Is this the same painting as yesterday? It’s not, but boy is it similar. Too similar for me. It’s clearly the same scene. I’m OK with that, but how do you explain the same colour palette? My computer models indicate that one of these artists must be a copycat. Enough of these Group of Seven cheaters! Tomorrow a new artist and a true Canadian landscape.
We have seen Group of Seven landscapes featuring mountains, trees, snow and beavers. Today the feature is wind. I think Lismer really captures the essence of a windy shoreline in this painting. The bent trees, whitecaps, and subdued palette all combine to create a fabulous blustery day. A great day for painting but not for boating. I get seasick just thinking about it.
Another great Canadian landscape from an original Group of Seven(er). A beaver in the title and a canoe in the picture – it doesn’t get more Canadian than that! Note: this is foreshadowing for something more Canadian later. But back to the present picture, I’m a little worried the former occupants of this empty canoe have befallen a horrible beaver attack. Shades of “Deliverance”? Cue the banjos.