who's to paint the portrait?

madameshawshank · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject: who's to paint the portrait?

ok..am delighting in reading some of Vincent van Gogh's letters..

It's such a treat to do so...the "other than the painter" aspect of him...and his language is as rich as his paint..

may I share?

to his brother Theo and sister in law Johanna...1889

"Outside the cicadas are singing fit to burst, a harsh screeching, ten times stonger than that of the crickets, and the scorched grass takes on lovely tones of old gold. And the beautiful towns of the South are in the same state as our dead towns along the Zuyder Zee that once were so bustling. Yet in the decline and the decadence of things, the cicadas dear to the good Socrates abide. And here certainly they still sing in ancient Greek...."

we can learn to see and taste and enjoy and wonder...by discovering how others see taste enjoy 'n wonder...

so, when the call comes...I've chosen Vincent to paint my portrait...under the stars...

and you would choose....?

there are many greens for me to discover today...both leafy to eat and leafy to simply see...

care to join me in your liquid of choice and drink to the Vincents of the world..
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

Barbara · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 11:52 pm Post subject:

As one who likes to picnic under a tree in a park I would have to select Edouard Manet. I have always imagined myself as the naked bather in his wonderful Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe.

My friends and I play a little game when we go to an art exhibition. You must select a painting you would like to be in. Later over coffee or a drink we have quite an interesting discussion about peoples choices. It is a lot of fun.
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Barbara

madameshawshank · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:27 am Post subject: Barbara's game..

may I play!...what a fabulous idea...oh that one, and that one and that one...so many paintings..
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

Rainey · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:56 am Post subject:

If we're talking eternity here, I choose Rene Magritte. Might as well spend eternity chortling. Wink

Sarape · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject:

My second choice might be Edward Hopper, but he didn't paint portraits. I like Hopper's American iconography. Manet might be another second choice since I'd love to see me at the opera or ballet, but he didn't paint many men. So, I'll pick a conservative favorite: Rembrandt. He alone could probably capture the nuance and complexity.
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' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'

Erin · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:43 pm Post subject:

I have always felt that Van Gogh's paintings were what dreams should be like. His is the first art that ever had an emotional effect on me and will always be the dearest.
If I was to be the subject in a painting I would choose John Singer Seargent's, Madame X. How great would it be to be the cause of such talk!
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"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

madameshawshank · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject:

Erin...you've picked my daughter's favourite painting!...how excited she was to see it "live"..
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

Erin · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

The painting has always made me smile. When I saw it in person a few years ago at the Seattle Art Museum it actually made me laugh.
_________________
"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

madameshawshank

oh..and if Gustav Klimt can spare some time...I wouldn't mind a new version of "The Kiss" Very Happy

....those colours!...swimming together...yet up close all distinct...the joy of seeing the original...checking out all those silver triangles...
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"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson

cigalechanta · Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 200 Location: cambridge, ma.

I agree with you madame. His brother was a gentle soul. I also enjoyed the letters of Gauguin.
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Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly
..................................MFK Fisher

brighidsdaughter · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 233 Location: Canton, TX USA

I choose Adolphe-William Bouguereau. Incurably romantic, I love his paintings of "peasants" and mythological characters. Barbara, I have to remember your game! I want to be "Tricoteuse" -- dressed in a beautiful teal skirt, knitting a sock while gazing dreamily into the distance instead of staring intently at my work so I don't drop stitches.