John Constable, "Cloud Study" (1822), Cortauld Institute of Art Galleries, London. My first introduction to Constable was, I confess, through a Monty Python sketch in which one of the key phrases was -- I think in one of Graham Chapman's pepperpot voices -- "Oh, look, it's the man from 'The Haywain'!" Python notwithstanding, I've grown quite fond of Constable, and this cloud study is perfectly lovely.
Canaletto, "The Grand Canal, Venice, from Santa Maria della Carità to the Bacino di San Marco" (1730-33), The Royal Collection, Windsor. I think that I get almost as much fun from just saying the title of this painting as I do imagining myself in it.
Carl Larsson, "In Sundborn Church" (1905). This is rather unexpected from the stereotypical Larsson watercolors of jolly young children outdoors -- subdued, moody, with the architecture taking the focus and the people half-hidden and obscured, with the tight, almost claustrophobic perspective and the infinitely beautiful blues. I like the rather finished look of Karin in the sunlight and the less-polished brushwork of the townspeople in the shadows inside.
Maurice Quentin de la Tour, "Self-Portrait" (1764), Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, California. Another of my favorites at the Norton Simon (apparently another version is in Amiens), this self-portrait is remarkable not only for the brilliance of its colors and detail and its charm, but also for the fact that it is quite small, just 18 x 15 in. (45 x 38 cm). He looks very French, does he not? I find it very poignant, too, that on first appearance, even second, this portrait delights with the casual turn of his head and the pleasant smile, and yet his eyes are rather sad. One hesitates to read too much from an artist's life into his works, but de la Tour suffered from mental illness in the second half of his long life, and it seems to me that he senses it already.
Botticelli, "Madonna and Child with Adoring Angel" (ca. 1468), Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, California. A gem among gems at the Norton Simon. The rather shimmery lines in this image are actually golden in the original, which has a luminous, ethereal beauty surrounding its impeccable draftsmanship.
The Cloud Study is absolutely beautiful! And I love the de la Tour self-portrait. It's very captivating. I agree...his eyes do look quite sad. Thanks for all the wonderful blues!
Posted by: Marie | June 07, 2006 at 06:29 PM
I just found your lovely site. I live in So Cal and I have not been to the Norton Simon Museum. Thank you for sharing the de la Tour self-portrait. His little smirk is calling me to Pasadena to see him in person. The blue velvet jacket makes me want to reach out and brush against its grain. Again, thank you for posting the paintings and your descriptions.
Posted by: Gina L. | June 07, 2006 at 06:45 PM
Lovely Blue Gallery!! Botticelli always takes my breath away. Thank you!
Posted by: Christina | June 09, 2006 at 09:04 PM