One of my favorite portraits of all time is a very mysterious and striking painting. She's my personal "Mona Lisa." The background of this painting is very complex and interesting. It has been attributed to the painter Annibale Carracci (1560-1609), but we're not actually certain of that attribution. And we don't know the name of the person being portrayed or nearly anything about her, except that she is presumably a seamstress. The painting has even had a variety of different titles over the years (most of which I would rather not repeat), but the two current titles are either "Portrait of a Seamstress" (which I prefer) or "Portrait of a Woman Holding a Clock." And that's just the beginning of the mystery! I've just now realized I need to feature her and talk about her on an upcoming Mid-Week Libation (probably on October 4th?), so I can go into more detail. But here's a preview:
I'd have to say that one of my favorite "self" portraits has always been "The Desperate Man" (Le Désespéré) by Gustave Courbet. There is something unearthly, unsettling and bone-chilling about his pleading, mad eyes. I have always loved Courbet's works and his inspiring life and this work never ceases to speak to the core of my being.
Happy Travels!
One of my favorite portraits is Amy Sherald's official portrait for the National Gallery of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Great choice! One of my favorites too! Amy Sherald is one of my favorite contemporary figurative painters and portraitists.
Likewise! And so apropos considering we were talking about Kehinde Wiley and his equally amazing portrait of Barack Obama. Outstanding work.
The portraits are so complimentary. I was blown away by Wiley's work when I had the privilege of seeing it in person.
So true! Kehinde Wiley's work is simply *divine* in person and up close.
One of my favorite portraits of all time is a very mysterious and striking painting. She's my personal "Mona Lisa." The background of this painting is very complex and interesting. It has been attributed to the painter Annibale Carracci (1560-1609), but we're not actually certain of that attribution. And we don't know the name of the person being portrayed or nearly anything about her, except that she is presumably a seamstress. The painting has even had a variety of different titles over the years (most of which I would rather not repeat), but the two current titles are either "Portrait of a Seamstress" (which I prefer) or "Portrait of a Woman Holding a Clock." And that's just the beginning of the mystery! I've just now realized I need to feature her and talk about her on an upcoming Mid-Week Libation (probably on October 4th?), so I can go into more detail. But here's a preview:
https://www.tomasso.art/artworkdetail/781241/18036/portrait-of-an-african-woman-holding
https://www.nicholashall.art/journal/a-portrait-that-survives-the-test-of-time/
https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1583-5-carracci-african-woman-clock/
Could not agree more . . . this painting is absolutely breathtaking. It invariably gives me that overwhelming sensation of "aesthetic arrest."
I'd have to say that one of my favorite "self" portraits has always been "The Desperate Man" (Le Désespéré) by Gustave Courbet. There is something unearthly, unsettling and bone-chilling about his pleading, mad eyes. I have always loved Courbet's works and his inspiring life and this work never ceases to speak to the core of my being.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_D%C3%A9sesp%C3%A9r%C3%A9
Fascinating choice! Such a dark, haunting vision of the self!
Love you and your work. A bientot!