My blog today for the Romantic Era, I want to chose two works of art from each the Impressionism and the Post Impressionism. Four works in all done by four different artists.
Spring Flowers(Peonies) by William Merritt Chase, 1886, Pastel on Paper and wrapped around a canvas with wooden strainer.
Spring Flowers (Peonies) - Conversations with the Collection - Terra Foundation for American Art (terraamericanart.org)
My first work of art is done by William Merritt Chase, alive from 1849 to 1916, from the Impressionism Era. Chase became a well known artist/teacher in America. His use of pastels along with oils sets him above others. It was during this Era that the Japanese came out of its isolation policy from the out side world, and the world became inspired by the Japanese style painting. Chase, along with many other artists, became enthralled by art from Japan (Japonisme). Although he did not experience first hand any trips to Japan, he lived up his fantasy through the works of collogues and articles of art journals.
The Impressionism style shown here in the painting is that of a young woman taking a moment out of her time to stop to smell and admire the peonies. I admire the shiny aspect of the vase, it is set very well against the contrast of the backdrop. The contrast of color from the reddish orange Japanese dress (not a full Kimono) pops out compared to the fluffy, white peonies that are in full bloom. The light brush strokes and the blending of the different colors are what I admire the most from the artists techniques. Along with the sense of a moment caught in time, the painter gives you the sense of admiration portrayed by the woman, and her stance. The painting does not seem staged or set up, and that's what I like about it too.
This is one of the paintings I like very much. I became enchanted by the ways of the Japanese Geisha after reading Memoirs of a Geisha growing up in high school, and since then it has become one of my favorite movies. And of course, I just love Peonies, they were my flower of choice for my wedding bouquet. Two things I enjoy in one painting! Although it is a top pick for me, I would not own a copy of this painting.
Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet, 1875, Oil on Canvas.
The second of work that I like is the Woman with a Parasol done by Claude Monet. Claude Monet was born 1840 and passed in 1926. He was a very well known artist from the Impressionism Era, and widely known as "the Father of Impressionism". Monet was born in France and did his studies in Paris.
The Woman with a Parasol is of his wife and son out on a stroll outside. It is said that he created this work of art outside over a period of hours before the light of sun diminished. He believed in creating art in the moment, and therefore did not follow the practice of creating the outline of work to be finished inside. He believed in the Impressionism style of work of creating art in the moment, or in a moment of time. He wanted to capture the real light perspective of his works.
The painting has a point of view as if he is on the lower side of a hill with the sun in the background showing down toward him. The aspect of the moment is what I appreciate the most, the capture of a moment. He has captured the light in such a way that it reflects not only in one aspect of the painting but in the whole thing. The light difference in the umbrella, or Parasol, shows the light beaming from the top, to the stark darkness or lack of light on the inside of the parasol. I love the light contrast from the flowers in the light and the flowers in the shadow. You really can appreciate the realism of light in his wife's shadow casted toward him.
I do appreciate his capture of light, or the light perspective in the moment. I would not own a painting of this because of the blurriness or the lack of detail.
Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, 1889
This work of art done by Van Gogh in 1889, this is many of self portraits of himself. This one he created with the utensils in hand with his paint. He had created this portrait after committing himself to an asylum. It is said he created this work of art on one sitting, much of his time at the asylum was spent alone in his room. Many of his letters to his brother Theo would go on to talk about his life as an artist, he would write to him often about his endeavors of his skill. The letter he wrote to his brother regarding this portrait, he claims that this is his "true character" captured on canvas.
The stark hard brush strokes that create the circular blue background gives this painting a very dark aspect to it. His contrast between the very dark blue back ground and his almost glowing white face with his red hair and beard really makes this painting pop out to the viewer. His Post-Impressionism Era work here really captures his energy that he wants to portray to the world. The shape that he gives the painting with use of the back ground makes his portrait pop out that much more. The contrast colors from dark blue to light red and yellow captures the viewers attention almost immediately.
This is one of the lesser paintings in my favor. The thick brushstrokes and sudden contrasts are what get to me. I more so enjoy the softer paintings. I would not own a copy of this painting. I think that its sense that it is unfinished is what it leaves me with, very much like that of a picture trying to load on a screen that is too grainy to enjoy.
A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, by Georges Seurat, 1884-1886 Oil on Canvas
George Seurat created this work of art with his use of Pointillism. He had created this style of art using the scientific knowledge of color and location of dots. With his use of pointillism, it took him two years to create this work of art.
The pointillism style of art in this painting creates a grainy type of look to it. Seurat uses the scientific point of view to painting to create this work. I admire the glassy look of the river that is highlighted by the natural light of the sun. He does not create a sense of light showing through the trees, but it makes the shade look that much more enjoyable on a hot summers day. Many of the individuals in this painting is faced toward the river, almost as though you would want to face and peer at the shimmering river too.
Although this style of painting, pointillism, would come to be finessed by many artists to come, this one I would not own as an artist. It goes along with the Van Gogh painting I dislike, it gives the sense that is it a blurred painting. I rather really do enjoy the finer paintings but also to like the blended paintings. I guess it comes down to the grainy-ness of the painting is what does not settle with me. It is almost as though some of the painting looks like it is disappearing for some reason, like the monkey looking animal below the couple to the right of the painting.
References
“Spring Flowers (Peonies) - Conversations with the Collection - Terra Foundation for American Art.” Conversations.terraamericanart.org, conversations.terraamericanart.org/artworks/spring-flowers-peonies. Accessed 25 Mar. 2021.
“Woman with a Parasol -- Madame Monet and Her Son, 1875 by Claude Monet.” Diego Rivera, 2010, www.claude-monet.com/woman-with-a-parasol.jsp.
“Post-Impressionism Movement Overview.” The Art Story, 2013, www.theartstory.org/movement/post-impressionism/.
“Self Portrait, 1889 by Vincent van Gogh.” Henri Matisse, 2009, www.vincentvangogh.org/self-portrait-1889.jsp. Accessed 1 Feb. 2019.
“Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1889.” Nga.gov, 2000, www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/van-gogh-self-portrait.html.
Wikipedia Contributors. “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Sunday_Afternoon_on_the_Island_of_La_Grande_Jatte.
“Pointillist | Glossary | National Gallery, London.” Www.nationalgallery.org.uk, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/glossary/pointillist. Accessed 27 Mar. 2021.
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