Sunday
Jul172011
On Art and Intimacy
Monsieur,
I was just thinking more about my last letter to you. Do you remember how I mentioned that we seemed to have the same interest in what goes on during informal situations? Well, that got me thinking about some of my favorite artists and how they seemed to be interested in the same thing - hidden moments as opposed to staged performances.
It’s funny really. The more I think about it, the more I realize that the artists whom I respect the most have all been interested in intimate imagery.
Jan Vermeer, a Dutch painter from the 16th century, was certainly interested in what goes on behind closed doors. His wonderfully detailed oil paintings usually depict one or two people absorbed in some sort of quiet or private activity - a woman holding pearls, a young girl receiving a love letter, or even a scientist studying a globe. His paintings are so suggestive and well-considered. I’ve often thought of painting an homage to Vermeer, since I also have a background in the visual arts.
Edgar Degas is an artist I think you would appreciate as well. Like you, he was French, but he lived mostly during the 19th century. He was a private man and was equally fascinated by the hidden moments of life. Though he lived the life of a solitary bachelor, it seems obvious to me that he actually longed to be a family man. He filled hundreds of drawings and paintings with women and children.
Many of his images depict women bathing or dressing themselves, and others depict little determined ballerinas as they prepare for their performances. Because he spent so much time with his female models, he obviously became quite perceptive regarding their thoughts and feelings. As I’m sure you are aware, a woman’s relationship with her body is a focus throughout her life. And, a little girl’s relationship with her mother is often filled with a complexity that few men ever notice. I believe that Degas, in addition to being a virtuoso artist, was also a perceptive psychologist.
From what I have read, I think many people have misunderstood his personality however. Though he had a reputation for being a big grump, he certainly expressed his sensitivity through his work. Deep down, I think his grumpiness was just a defense mechanism. Perhaps when people feel so deeply, they tend to feel vulnerable. And, I’m sure that Degas was only surly to the people he considered offensive.
While I attended graduate school and studied fine art, I was often short with anyone who misinterpreted my work. I think it is common for artists to fend off annoying and insensitive criticisms – no matter how well meaning they are. In the end, I suppose people can only understand art that is created on their own level of consciousness. Subtle art for subtle minds and obtuse art for obtuse minds.
Two other French artists I think you might enjoy are Eduard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard. Like Degas, they were also Parisians, and they each lived and worked mostly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their style even became known as Intimism, and, rightfully so. Like Vermeer and Degas, they mostly depicted quiet interiors and solitary moments. Although their painting style was generally less detailed and often filled with more imaginative color, they also seemed fascinated by the interior life of women. Bathing and sewing, subtlety and nuance were their primary interests and specialty.
Lately, I’ve been reading a book by Lord Avebury called The Pleasures of Life, and so far, I really like it. Though the author seems more interested in science than I currently am, he still wrote a very nice chapter on Art that I think you might have enjoyed reading. Didn’t you have an interest in theater as a young boy? From what I remember of your essays, it seems like you had some respect for the arts. And, given the amount of time and energy that you dedicated to your essays, I can’t imagine that you would not be interested in other forms of creative expression.
As Lord Avebury wrote in his book,
As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.
And,
To see clearly is poetry, prophesy, and religion all in one… Those who love beauty will see beauty everywhere.
Speaking of poetry, Lord Avebury also had some perceptive thoughts here as well.
A true poem is a gallery of pictures.
The Hebrews called their poets ‘seers,’ for they not only perceive more than others, but also help men to see much which would otherwise be lost to us.
To appreciate poetry we must not merely glance at it, or rush through it, or read it in order to talk or write about it. One must compose oneself into the right frame of mind.
This last quotation seems especially pertinent to me. Earlier in this letter, do you remember how I complained about the clueless criticism I encountered in art school? This is exactly what I’m talking about. A clueless critic is just the type of person who foolishly rushes through life – interested in only cursory understanding and crude classifications. A person who does not take the time to slow down and ponder something in a more imaginative way, to me, isn’t worth my time. And, I certainly am uninterested in their boring and usually sophomoric commentaries. I’m sorry if that sounds arrogant or dismissive. I guess sometimes I just get frustrated that so many people are unable to see so many wonderful things.
OK Monsieur. I suppose that’s enough for today. Take care. I will write again soon.
Your friend,
Brian
I was just thinking more about my last letter to you. Do you remember how I mentioned that we seemed to have the same interest in what goes on during informal situations? Well, that got me thinking about some of my favorite artists and how they seemed to be interested in the same thing - hidden moments as opposed to staged performances.
It’s funny really. The more I think about it, the more I realize that the artists whom I respect the most have all been interested in intimate imagery.
Jan Vermeer, a Dutch painter from the 16th century, was certainly interested in what goes on behind closed doors. His wonderfully detailed oil paintings usually depict one or two people absorbed in some sort of quiet or private activity - a woman holding pearls, a young girl receiving a love letter, or even a scientist studying a globe. His paintings are so suggestive and well-considered. I’ve often thought of painting an homage to Vermeer, since I also have a background in the visual arts.
Edgar Degas is an artist I think you would appreciate as well. Like you, he was French, but he lived mostly during the 19th century. He was a private man and was equally fascinated by the hidden moments of life. Though he lived the life of a solitary bachelor, it seems obvious to me that he actually longed to be a family man. He filled hundreds of drawings and paintings with women and children.
Many of his images depict women bathing or dressing themselves, and others depict little determined ballerinas as they prepare for their performances. Because he spent so much time with his female models, he obviously became quite perceptive regarding their thoughts and feelings. As I’m sure you are aware, a woman’s relationship with her body is a focus throughout her life. And, a little girl’s relationship with her mother is often filled with a complexity that few men ever notice. I believe that Degas, in addition to being a virtuoso artist, was also a perceptive psychologist.
From what I have read, I think many people have misunderstood his personality however. Though he had a reputation for being a big grump, he certainly expressed his sensitivity through his work. Deep down, I think his grumpiness was just a defense mechanism. Perhaps when people feel so deeply, they tend to feel vulnerable. And, I’m sure that Degas was only surly to the people he considered offensive.
While I attended graduate school and studied fine art, I was often short with anyone who misinterpreted my work. I think it is common for artists to fend off annoying and insensitive criticisms – no matter how well meaning they are. In the end, I suppose people can only understand art that is created on their own level of consciousness. Subtle art for subtle minds and obtuse art for obtuse minds.
Two other French artists I think you might enjoy are Eduard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard. Like Degas, they were also Parisians, and they each lived and worked mostly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their style even became known as Intimism, and, rightfully so. Like Vermeer and Degas, they mostly depicted quiet interiors and solitary moments. Although their painting style was generally less detailed and often filled with more imaginative color, they also seemed fascinated by the interior life of women. Bathing and sewing, subtlety and nuance were their primary interests and specialty.
Lately, I’ve been reading a book by Lord Avebury called The Pleasures of Life, and so far, I really like it. Though the author seems more interested in science than I currently am, he still wrote a very nice chapter on Art that I think you might have enjoyed reading. Didn’t you have an interest in theater as a young boy? From what I remember of your essays, it seems like you had some respect for the arts. And, given the amount of time and energy that you dedicated to your essays, I can’t imagine that you would not be interested in other forms of creative expression.
As Lord Avebury wrote in his book,
As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.
And,
To see clearly is poetry, prophesy, and religion all in one… Those who love beauty will see beauty everywhere.
Speaking of poetry, Lord Avebury also had some perceptive thoughts here as well.
A true poem is a gallery of pictures.
The Hebrews called their poets ‘seers,’ for they not only perceive more than others, but also help men to see much which would otherwise be lost to us.
To appreciate poetry we must not merely glance at it, or rush through it, or read it in order to talk or write about it. One must compose oneself into the right frame of mind.
This last quotation seems especially pertinent to me. Earlier in this letter, do you remember how I complained about the clueless criticism I encountered in art school? This is exactly what I’m talking about. A clueless critic is just the type of person who foolishly rushes through life – interested in only cursory understanding and crude classifications. A person who does not take the time to slow down and ponder something in a more imaginative way, to me, isn’t worth my time. And, I certainly am uninterested in their boring and usually sophomoric commentaries. I’m sorry if that sounds arrogant or dismissive. I guess sometimes I just get frustrated that so many people are unable to see so many wonderful things.
OK Monsieur. I suppose that’s enough for today. Take care. I will write again soon.
Your friend,
Brian