tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post9115992619357488788..comments2024-03-29T06:46:10.487-04:00Comments on Studio and Garden: Painted LightAltoon Sultanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-87592950677620149022009-11-02T12:57:33.266-05:002009-11-02T12:57:33.266-05:00Such an appropriate posting for me since I am in L...Such an appropriate posting for me since I am in Lisbon and it environs enjoying their history. In some of the ancient convents and palaces we visited (Tomar, Sintra, Obidos) the paintings are in such need of restoration the orignal light has been cast with black shadows. But seeing some of this work in its orginal settings is quite remarkable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-6894936127737531152009-11-02T11:43:59.195-05:002009-11-02T11:43:59.195-05:00Susan, interesting idea that makes much sense; col...Susan, interesting idea that makes much sense; color as primary focus does seem to fade the stronger the value structure. I have in my mind the linear vs painterly version of that theory, stuck there since grad school after reading Wolfflin's "Principles of Art History".Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-42115178657610130922009-11-02T10:05:25.960-05:002009-11-02T10:05:25.960-05:00Thank you for this posting, Altoon. I have a theor...Thank you for this posting, Altoon. I have a theory that the history of art divides between periods of seeing color shapes (Persian, Japanese, Sienese, early Renaissance, Fauvism) and seeing value shapes (Mannerism, Dutch landscape and figure, Barbizon school). True, pure color has value--but strong values (based on light and shadow) bleache and obscure color. It seems to me that at some point, painters make a choice--or maybe it's an inbred affinity for one or the other--whether they are more interested in working with light and shadow, or with color.Susan Abbotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729773074834731314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-38076948899178101632009-11-02T08:04:56.368-05:002009-11-02T08:04:56.368-05:00I appreciate the comments. One thing I love about ...I appreciate the comments. One thing I love about doing this blog is the way it gets my mind meandering in interesting ways.<br /><br />Linda, that's interesting about the Melendez. I love much of Spanish still life painting; I haven't seen much Melendez in "person", but have liked a couple of the paintings where objects seem to be bursting out of the picture plane. I'll be seeing the show this winter in Boston and will likely write about it then. I'll keep your comment in mind.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-11369332416000375282009-11-02T01:44:06.042-05:002009-11-02T01:44:06.042-05:00I saw the Melendez exhibition at LACMA (Los Angele...I saw the Melendez exhibition at LACMA (Los Angeles) today. The paintings are impressive in their depiction of texture - fruit, wood, pottery, and the reflections of light on grapes for instance are dutifully included, but the works rarely spring to life. It's as if there was no real light source, and the still lifes appear dead. I had the same impression of the Arts and Crafts furniture and pottery which are normally very pleasing: sturdiness, lack of freedom. Then suddenly in another room stood the actual pottery of George Ohr, gleaming, churning, entirely alive. This impression was echoed by a Tintoretto, a Titian and a Veronese with their allegories and fiction - colorful and full of light, burst out of the box.Linda Hepnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007053361154333251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-81161171303751656792009-11-01T22:42:20.869-05:002009-11-01T22:42:20.869-05:00Lovely lesson on light....you have so much to offe...Lovely lesson on light....you have so much to offer and you do, Altoon.<br />The Pizarro was especially fine to see again, and how you spoke of color holding light in abstract works...I like that thinking.Maggie Nealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06793869416867166254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-23358495267783930142009-11-01T21:03:19.868-05:002009-11-01T21:03:19.868-05:00thanks for this, Altoon. it was a nice interlude, ...thanks for this, Altoon. it was a nice interlude, considering light in the midst of an overcast afternoon. it would be interesting to stroll through the Met considering light though the ages.rappelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03569445602513667186noreply@blogger.com