Caravaggio is one of the bad boys of classic art – his life was anything but quiet and peaceful.
So it’s always surprising to see how he mastered topics that were quite contrary to his lifestyle. But maybe he longed in his heart for such a good and quiet life?
From Wikipedia (which has a nice entry about this painting):
The seven acts represented on the painting are the following Corporal Works of Mercy traditionally recognized by the Roman Catholic church, as follows:
On the right appear: (1) the burial of the dead and the episode of the so-called Carità Romana (Cimon’s daughter breastfeeding her father, who was sentenced to life in prison), containing at once the two charitable acts of (2) visiting prisoners and (3) feeding the hungry.
Appearing in the foreground are St. Martin and the beggar, symbolizing (4) dressing the naked. Next to this scene, the host and St. James of Compostela allude to the (5) offering of hospitality to pilgrims. Samson drinking from the ox jaw represents (6) relieving the thirsty. The youth on the ground behind the beggar of St. Martin may also represent the merciful gesture of (7) caring for the sick.
To it is still a mystery why the sculpting has lost the top spot to painting. Until the early Middle Age sculpting reigned supreme in the visual arts, but then it slowly lost to paintings.
Sure you can show much bigger and fantastic scenes on canvas than you can show in stone, but sculptures are real and have a life-like power to them images simply lack.
Where I live there are three great museums just around the corner – the so called Pinakotheks. And today – sunday – you can get in for free. Nice!
Usually I don’t care about the other visitors – I am not much of a people watcher. My ears are protected by some good music against the general chatter and noise. Give me art or give me death.
But today an old lady caught my eye. She slowly made her way through the gallery, heavily relying on her walking stick. But she always seemed to know where she wanted to go, seeking out some old paintings she seemed very fond off. Walking around was hard work for her, she often paused and sat down to catch her breath. But once she reached ‘her’ painting all the effort was worth it. Her eyes widened and she caressed the image with her glance like an old friend.
I was very touched by her love and passion for art. The old paintings seemed to recharge her spirit and give her timeless joy. Her posture changed – almost like some weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
I am pretty sure this kind of joy is special for her – since it was hard work to get through the Pinakothek with it’s huge rooms and many stairs. She didn’t do it for ‘fun’ or ‘entertainment’ – such pleasures are easier consume by switching on the telly.
I just hope that I have the same passion and stamina to get my weekly dose of art when I am an old fart. Art is able to give us joy, beauty and ecstasy that can lift our spirits and touch our soul although our minds and bodies are already on the way out …
Just two years ago I discovered Bob Ross show ‘The Joy of Painting‘ although it’s pretty old. You might not like his style, but he is fun to watch. It’s the most peaceful art show I have ever seen – he is more like a monk preaching happiness then a art teacher. I love it – and I might even learn a trick of two.
He died over ten year ago 1995 – a sad loss, since there are not many TV art shows around. I would swap ten big brothers for one decent show about architecture or sculpting. I would even dump some of these techno fetish documentaries (Monster Trucks, Monster Buildings, Monster Anything) from the History Channel for some more art education.
The synopsis (here on Wikipedia) is the perfect inspiration for painters and movie makers alike. It has love, tragedy, pagan nastiness, comedy and some indecent sexual undertones.
Click image for a MUCH larger version for more details.
Botticelli tries here to tell the story of Lucretia in three parts – but I must admit I can’t follow him. On the left section Lucretia is threatened by her rapist Sextus Tarquinius. In the middle we see obviously her funeral and public outrage. The man standing over her casket if probably Lucius Junius Brutus (no, not that Brutus who killed Caesar). And at the very right her death and discovery by her family.
The setting is certainly Roman, but the ‘costumes’ reflect more Botticelli’s own era. Nice perspective for the architecture.
Bouguereau painted many biblical, pagan and really trivial moments in his life. Most biblical paintings pick a well known or popular scene to play to the audience or the rich patron.
1. Click player below to start the music.
2. Click the image to dive into the art.
3. Study for 4 minutes this great piece of art and all the drama.
In this case Bouguereau has chosen a very unusual situation: Adam and Eve mourn the death of Abel – who was famously slain by his Brother Cain. Abel was the first human to die – and also the first one to by slain by his own kin and kind. And he is also considered the first Martyr.
What a great start for humanity after being exiled from Paradise.
Death scenes make great drama and many painters really go for christian kitsch and symbolism (especially in biblical scenes). Bouguereau keeps it very simple and very human.
The painting has also a very personal meaning: Bouguereau painted it after the death of his second son.
Madame Lempicka has not only a unique style – but it is also very sensual. Not many artists know how to show natural nudeness and erotic moments without getting too slippery. Her work never crosses the line. Instead she portrays woman as strong, sensual and the beauty of the female shape in a very neutral naturalistic way.
He seems to be quite a charming young fellow, don’t you think Lord Archibald?
I really love his sensual paintings and lush surroundings. When you see more than three of his images you immediately spot his style and addiction to a certain type of woman.
But once you know that his wife Elizabeth Siddal in 1862 – who killed herself after the birth of their dead child – it all becomes all so understandable.
Most art postings are about the painting / art itself and the artists. Rarely do we get a glimpse at the process, inspiration, model or muse behind it. Jane was a muse for many British painters of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.
Jane Morris was one of Rossetti’s favorite models after the death of his beloved wife. She was married to his great fellow painter William Morris.
The title derives from Latin literature and means ‘Venus, turner of hearts’. This is the Sonnet he wrote for this painting:
She hath the apple in her hand for thee, Yet almost in her heart would hold it back; She muses, with her eyes upon the track Of that which in thy spirit they can see. Haply, ‘Behold, he is at peace,’ saith she; ‘Alas! the apple for his lips, – the dart That follows its brief sweetness to his heart,- The wandering of his feet perpetually!’
A little space her glance is still and coy; But if she give the fruit that works her spell, Those eyes shall flame as for her Phrygian boy. Then shall her bird’s strained throat the woe foretell, And her far seas moan as a single shell, And through her dark grove strike the light of Troy.
Lilith is the first woman Adam met in paradise – not Eve. She was an tempting topic for many painters. And this motive is pre-christian and appears in the Gilgamesh epos.
Once again the classic Rossetti Lady (the famous Jane Burden aka Jane Morris) in perfect pose. Unusal are the blue and green tones – he usually prefers red hair and warm earth tones. This is his last painting before he died in the same year.
Click here to visit to visit ladies from Israel on their Tour of Duty. It is an unusual look inside the military world – usually filled with guys and testosterone. Hardly a showcase for military nuts – but more a documentation that woman can do the job as well as any guy. Plus it documents very well the camaraderie between the soldier girls. Intimate, personal and very real.
I think this is the most touching painting I know. Blindness surrounded by the beauty of nature and color (in form of a rainbow in the background). But it’s also about the unfairness of life itself. She is blind, her little sister / daughter isn’t.
In the absence of mass media and the Internet in the old days it could take years or even decades before important scenes were framed and ‘archived’ for the public to see.
Word of mouth was often the only and the fastest ways to get the news. It must have been a strange time compared to our high speed lifestyles.
Just compare this ‘lonely painting’ to all the news, images, videos and dribble that has been written and broadcast about Princess Diana’s death.
Nude act photography as well as painting and drawing are the grammar school of visual art. Here the visual artists studies and explore the human form – strangely enough mostly only the female form. You can find a gazillion of nude acts from great old master like Man Ray, Weston and Stieglitz. Still any young modern photographer has to go though the same positions, the same shots and compositions.
On the other side we viewers never seem to get enough of the human shape? People like watching people – no matter if they have seen that person only once of a thousand times. We are addicted to ourselves – our proportions and gestures.
So Man Ray once delivers another celebration of mankind.
Various artists – couldn’t find any credits, sorry!
The male shape is as ‘normal’ and beautiful as the female form. What annoys me is that often male act photography is only meant for the gay community (like many female acts border to normal porn). I am the last person lambasting porn anyway – but sometimes a great image of the human form is simply enough for me and amazing enough.
Can’t we celebrate our own shapes without going all juicy?
Ragnar has a sharp eye for amazing moments! Visit his fascinating gallery for a shot trip to some harsher places and of our globe like the Faeroe Island or Siberia. Wow!
Today it’s easy to find some erotic or pornographic photography on the net. Almost all photographers have some ‘hot shots’ in their collections. Bob Carlos Clarke also has a wide range of topics, but his erotic shots are often spiced up with dark humor and even criticism. Go watch his breath taking slide show here – and judge for yourself. Too bad this great master is already dead.
Once of the most iconic images of European art – and one of the greatest goddesses of all times. If you look around you we are surrounded by fit young and blonde Sisters of Venus these days.
Her breasts are a bit too small compared to the current beauty ideal and her facial expression is also a bit too innocent. We like our woman a bit more slutty these days.
Looking at the remnants of Greek and Roman culture one would think that the Ancients lived in a Black & White movie. Marble after a few centuries will be scrubbed clean by wind, sand and rain.
But the Ancients loved colors! Researchers have discovered and shown us that walls were painted, full of colorful mosaics and statutes were beaming with bright decorations.
In many Picasso paintings I often wonder if he wanted to insult or make fun of his models? The three ladies on the left are portrait almost realistically and in classic poses. While the two on the right look rather ghastly.
One of the great classic Maestro’s of Photography. He shot many poses and captured many moments other photographers still try to snap today. Many of these acolytes could learn from the great Master: most of all he didn’t see objects and people like we would classify and describe them. He didn’t see a woman, a toilet, a pepper or a shell. He only saw shapes, light and composition.
That is why he was able to capture beauty in every object he photographed. He didn’t rate or classify what he say – he just looked at it’s ‘being’ and framed the beauty that was obvious to him.
What a monumental moment – although Jupiter (the Roman version of Zeus) looks a bit like wearing a wig? I love Ingres for his dramatic and powerful style. His creations have the same quality like movies – Ben Hur and the like.
You feel like being in the presence of Jupiter – almost touching that godly aura of his. And just in case you are wondering who Thetis is … visit this Wikipedia entry.
I love Ron English – nah, not just for his Cowgirls. He has pulled of some great stunts and created MANY impressive pieces of art. Take some time to visit his great site and discover the many sides of this great Master of wild ideas.
The drama, the tears, the brutality! I am actually surprised that so many old paintings are pretty bloodless. You rarely see gory scenes like in modern movies. This is especially surprising since those times were pretty bloody, so horrific scenes have been pretty normal to those people – not like us, who see violence and war only mostly on TV or made up movies.
