Book Review: In Living Color: Matisse the Master by Hilary Spurling

Commentary ^ | 12/03/05 | Steven C. Munson

[Rembrandt_fan]

Matisse' exploration of color changed my life. Rather, his insights into color influenced my work in a huge way--more than Kandinsky, more than Birren, more than Albers. Since my work is a huge chunk of my life, then I can write something that dramatic-sounding and still keep a straight face.

[Republicanprofessor]

I've read that Degas was considered by some to have painted the less attractive side of females. I hadn't really thought so myself, but wonder what your take is on that.

I like to think that Degas painted a more realistic side of women, less glamourized, reflecting more of a daily reality. It was the first time women were seen bathing, drying off, not just sensuously reclining as sex objects. So I really like the work for that content. I also really like it for the abstract form. Arms and legs jut out and create neat patterns. Some of them look ahead to de Kooning's lovely woman series, the first of which is the last picture shown below.

[Sam Cree]

I've always thought that Degas had a real appreciation for the female form (So I had been surprised to read that he didn't).

Can't say the same for DeKooning!