Posted on 09/18/2006 6:45:13 AM PDT by Republicanprofessor
WHEN student Ambroise Vollard first saw a Cézanne painting in a Paris dealer's window, he regretted bitterly that he couldn't afford it. "I thought to myself how nice it must be to be a picture dealer," he wrote later. "Spending one's life among beautiful things like that."
Vollard, who within a few years did indeed become a picture dealer, soon lacked neither beautiful things nor interesting people around him. In 1895, he hosted the first major exhibition of Paul Cézanne's work. He gave Pablo Picasso his first Paris show in 1901 and Henri Matisse his first solo exhibition in 1904. He bought up entire studios of artists he admired, wrote books about Cézanne and Edgar Degas, published lush illustrated books and prints, and frequently hosted chicken curry suppers in his fabled gallery cellar
(Excerpt) Read more at calendarlive.com ...
We saw the Vermeer exhibit in DC some years back. The pictures are so much more beautiful in real life that we didn't even bother to buy the book. There was almost no comparison.
Another artist that surprised me because he was so much better in the original was George Catlin, the Indian portraitist. We saw the exhibit of his paintings in the little museum catty-corner from the White House.
This one was never finished, but it just jumps off the wall at you.
So did I, along with less-known Dutch painters. Amazing stuff.
I like George Catlin, too, although my favorite American Indian art is the Kiowa School painters.
I'm not usually much of a Dali fan, but I much like the one you posted in 14. It kind of looks like they are in a low flying space ship of some kind, up in the front behind a great windshield - great effect.
I own a book by Dali called "50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship." I ought to look in it again and see what I think. IIRC, he insults Cezanne's abilities pretty directly at some point. Dali's ego looms large in the book as well, again IIRC.
I don't always agree with his treatment or his ideas, but he had the technical ability in spades.
First, thanks for posting the other images of Vollard. I tried to post that to you earlier today, but there was a glitch and I had to run before solving it.
That is one of the best Catlin images I've ever seen. It is perhaps freer because it is unfinished.
He was weak on landscapes and figure groups . . . but when he was concentrated on a single portrait he was amazing. Here's another one I really like:
See-non-ty-a, an Iowa medicine man.
I can't find a good copy of the full-length portrait of Old Bear the Mandan medicine man with all his considerable regalia, but in the original it is stunning.
If you get the chance, go down to St. Petersburg Fl and go to the Dali museum.
Lots of great works part of the building had to be designed around several HUGE canvases. Your right, Dali's technical skills are astonishing. He plays with space and perspective so effortlessly. He also *Worshiped* his Wife (almost as much as he loved himself).
That would certainly be worth a trip. I'm almost exactly half way there when we're at my folks' place in coastal GA.
Don't worry if it's "forged" -- most likely "forged" by Dali himself. The man liked small runs... that he could run and run and run over and over again.
I don't know if it's one of the "signed the blank sheets" engravings or the "extra runs" engravings. But the big question mark meant that I was the only one who bid on it, and I always start low! < g >
Well, good for you! After all, it's the art that counts. If you like it, that's what matters.
A month ago I visited the Gardner Museum in Boston to revisit the magnificence therein, but also to remind myself of one of the most selfish of acts ever, the theft from there. Such mortal arrogance to think that one should have those paintings over the rest of us as bequeathed by Mrs. Gardner.
Bastards.
If the thieves don't pay adequately in this life, rest assured, they'll pay in the next.
Do you ladies realize there is a new movie about the Gardner theft? It is called "Stolen."
It was in our area two weekends ago, but I just didn't have a chance to get there.
Let me know if you see it.
Didn't know that. I've been mostly to pediatric movies recently, but I'll keep my eye out for it.
really comes to life when seen in person ... the dynamic range of the painting must far exceed the 24 bits per pixel that a JPEG image can convey.
I've seen lots of Remingtons "in person" in Texas and Oklahoma. Photos really don't do them justice.
Great quote.
Thanks.
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