Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (Lunch on the Grass)Edward Manet
I absolutely love this painting! I have to admit that I have not been a big fan of Manet (I always wanted to change the 'a' to an 'o' and make it Monet as I am a fan of his work) but this week's reading changed my mind. I appreciate the almost off-hand way the female is sitting in the middle of the grass, gaze and thoughts elsewhere, while the men are talking around her, not even paying attention to the fact that she is nude. And they are not even noticing the other woman getting out of the bath, despite the fact that she is as naked as the first woman. I love the statement Manet was making with this (at least what I see as his statement) about artistic freedom and expression of the natural world (represented by nudity) connected to the intellectual world (clothed figures in discussion).
Mary Cassatt - what an amazing artist! I so admire her paintings, her subject matter, her viewpoint and perspective. Perhaps I am drawn to her as she presents women in such a manner that brings out our strength, our uniqueness, our abilities; she brings out those characteristics in women that I most wish to develop in myself, and foster in my own daughter.
Self-portraitMary Cassatt, 1878
On a final note, I find it interesting that with this last post I've come full circle from my original post. Remember the first post where we talked about three pieces of art? One of my pieces was a Cassatt. And through this journey I've explored so many other exciting artists and learned histories way beyond what I imagined before this class. This makes me still hungry for more! So, the journey goes on ...
Thank you so much Elizabeth for enjoying my last blog. I do too. I really enjoy ur last blog about Monet too. I don't wanna say it's the last blog. It's kinda sad! I also have the same feeling with you. Time passes so fast! It's so amazing that we have reach the end of the class! I still can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteCindy
Dear Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cindy_ I can't believe this was our last post and am sad to see the class end. (I was really looking forward to studying the very next few pages in the ch 30 that we skipped!) Ill have to go on alone?!? I have thouroughtly enjoyed talking to you thorogh the blogs, and I hear from Cynthia that we may be in class together in the Fall in another of her classes. I hope so. In any case, my oldest son goes to UCSC so maybe some time we could meet. I feel we are in some senses kindred spirits on this art history journey! Feel free to email me at kimgarg@hotmail.com
Have a great summer!
Kimberlie