I love how Vuillard’s work always seems to be done with the utmost haste and willful disillusionment, as if he has zero fucks left to give. But the very gentle treatment of the subject belies the lack of fucks theory and, instead, gives us insight into the way he cared for his subjects and the world around him even as he treated it with ineffectual disdain and a kind of ADHD slapdashery.
Tag: post-impressionism
Monday
This painting looks more like a crayon sketch than a painting in many ways, and I think that’s why I like it so much. It isn’t studied or overly pretentious in any way whatsoever.
Saturday
This is another one of those problematic American sculptures that smacks of institutional racism but at the same time is breathtakingly beautiful for what it is and the sheer bloody talent that went into the piece. It isn’t ideal, nor is it idealized except in the artist’s eyes, and it should be said as such. In fact, the features are over-exaggerated in a way that even the ancients would likely have cringed at and thrown away; instead, it is an approximation of an approximation and rather more like an idealized caricature of a female form than any idealization of a modernization. It even has a bit of the post-impressionism expressionism or slightly pre-Art Deco about it without really managing to be any of those things.
Friday
In comparison to yesterday’s still life by the same artist, the color palette is similar but different enough to warrant a mention, as it changes the diffusion of the light and the overall effect of the blurred dreaminess of the edges. Also the overall composition grouping is similar, but just different enough to tweak your senses and make you go, “hmm”. Of the two, I actually prefer this one because the background is simpler and less cluttered and hodge-podge Victoriana feeling.
Thursday
Everything about this painting is fuzzy and indistinct even where there should be a finite edge. I like that blurring of reality and indistinction.
Friday
This is straight up one of my favorite pieces. It has a richness of tone, color, composition and yet a simplicity about it. I enjoy the way it invokes a sense of dreamy, almost surreal wonder.
Thursday
Whenever we talk about some of my favorite pieces of art, I have to stomp on my urge to just drag people straight to this painting and go, “THIS IS EVERYTHING I LOVE ABOUT ART AFTER IMPRESSIONISM ENDS.” It is slashes of color; it is expressionism and indistinct, yet it is coherent. It is bold and succinct. It is poignant and direct and to the point. It has no problem telling you exactly what it is and why it’s here and that you are just a fly on the wall. This is a particular kind of unapologetic art for art’s sake, and I love it so much it makes my little heart burst.
Wednesday
This is simple, beautiful, and pure. There is no ulterior motive or sentiment: it just is.
Wednesday
I’m ever so fond of this painting. I always stop in front of it and admire the realism of the asters. The rest of the painting seems unfinished or even haphazard in comparison to the care taken to present the flowers in such perfect light, but oh, what beauty. <3 (Sorry, I’m working overnights and my brain is a puddle of mush at this point.)
Tuesday
This particular work reminds me of Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey for some reason. I don’t know why; it just does.