Western Art History
500 years of women ignoring men?

http://the-toast.net/2014/06/10/women-ignoring-men-as-art/

We live in an age in which we are saturated with images. They stare at us from posters and the pages of magazines, they flit across our television and computer screens, they adorn our food packaging, our clothes and accessories. Whilst many of these images are purely commercial, the ubiquitous image has not left the art world untouched. Andy Warhol declared the death of art and stood for the democratization of painting – advertisements can be high art, art can be advertisement. The widespread nature of images has only increased the demand for art in peoples’ homes. Cheap full color reproductions and posters of paintings can be found from student rooms to hotel foyers. In the decades after the explosion of mass-produced images, many artists moved away from traditional formats and embraced a broader and more all-inclusive package of subjects and mediums. Art lovers followed suit, buying ever more extravagant pieces that moved further from the traditions of yesteryear, constantly searching for the newest sensation. Where then does this leave painting? Contrary to the popular view of contemporary art, many of the newest and brightest young artists have fully embraced painting, reviving it and transforming their canvases into extraordinary works of skill and talent. This renaissance of painting can be seen in galleries worldwide. However, when one can buy a very pleasing colour print for £5, why should one buy a piece of original art? A painting is unique – you are the owner of a work, the only one of its kind. So much more substantial than a print, you have a piece of heritage. When buying paintings, you must only choose that which you truly love and can imagine yourself living with. Paintings come at a price, but a high price is no guarantee that your painting is a good investment. As with all things, fashions and tastes change. Paintings that were once immensely popular can fall out of favour rapidly, whereas unknown artists can shoot into the spotlight overnight. A painting you love can be treasured by you and your family for generations to come, irrespective of monetary value. The qualities that an original painting possesses cannot be replicated even by the most advanced print technique. An original is so much more vivid, more alive than any reproductions they've seen, but often they can't put their finger on why exactly this should be. Perhaps the ephemeral superiority lies in the details that come together to make the whole: The look of the paint - a soft translucent sheen or the crystallized pigments that change subtly as you move through the room; brushstrokes, the textures of the paint, the surface created by movements of brush, palette knife and sponge; The three-dimensional quality of a painting on canvas or board, which gives it a tremendous sense of presence. When displayed, an original painting will transform a room, altering the space around it. A painting is so much more than just an image. It is the unique mark of an artist, a document of their creativity and energy. In a world full of reproductions, watered-down visions and genuine fakes, an original painting stands as a capsule of authenticity – a direct link to humanity and the spark of creativity of another human being. Paintings are personal in an impersonal world, a token of love and passion that reconnects us to ourselves.

We live in an age in which we are saturated with images.  They stare at us from posters and the pages of magazines, they flit across our television and computer screens, they adorn our food packaging, our clothes and accessories. 

Whilst many of these images are purely commercial, the ubiquitous image has not left the art world untouched. Andy Warhol declared the death of art and stood for the democratization of painting – advertisements can be high art, art can be advertisement. The widespread nature of images has only increased the demand for art in peoples’ homes.  Cheap full color reproductions and posters of paintings can be found from student rooms to hotel foyers.

In the decades after the explosion of mass-produced images, many artists moved away from traditional formats and embraced a broader and more all-inclusive package of subjects and mediums. 

Art lovers followed suit, buying ever more extravagant pieces that moved further from the traditions of yesteryear, constantly searching for the newest sensation. Where then does this leave painting?

Contrary to the popular view of contemporary art, many of the newest and brightest young artists have fully embraced painting, reviving it and transforming their canvases into extraordinary works of skill and talent. 

This renaissance of painting can be seen in galleries worldwide. However, when one can buy a very pleasing colour print for £5, why should one buy a piece of original art?

A painting is unique – you are the owner of a work, the only one of its kind. So much more substantial than a print, you have a piece of heritage. When buying paintings, you must only choose that which you truly love and can imagine yourself living with. 

Paintings come at a price, but a high price is no guarantee that your painting is a good investment. As with all things, fashions and tastes change.  Paintings that were once immensely popular can fall out of favour rapidly, whereas unknown artists can shoot into the spotlight overnight. 

A painting you love can be treasured by you and your family for generations to come, irrespective of monetary value.

The qualities that an original painting possesses cannot be replicated even by the most advanced print technique.  An original is so much more vivid, more alive than any reproductions they've seen, but often they can't put their finger on why exactly this should be. 

Perhaps the ephemeral superiority lies in the details that come together to make the whole: The look of the paint - a soft translucent sheen or the crystallized pigments that change subtly as you move through the room; brushstrokes, the textures of the paint, the surface created by movements of brush, palette knife and sponge; The three-dimensional quality of a painting on canvas or board, which gives it a tremendous sense of presence. When displayed, an original painting will transform a room, altering the space around it. A painting is so much more than just an image. It is the unique mark of an artist, a document of their creativity and energy. 

In a world full of reproductions, watered-down visions and genuine fakes, an original painting stands as a capsule of authenticity – a direct link to humanity and the spark of creativity of another human being. Paintings are personal in an impersonal world, a token of love and passion that reconnects us to ourselves.

So Why Buy Art?

• Original art is unique.  As a personal expression, art reflects emotions, experiences and individuality of the human experience.  In a home original art is a powerful statement.  If we are able to connect with the impact of original art, the expression of personal identity is enhanced in our living space which adds to the quality of life.  
• Original art improves our environment.  Imagine bleak, bare walls or walls covered with factory produced reproductions compared with one filled with emotionally charged original art that reflects the taste of the art buyer. 
• Art connects people in a real way.  People reflect on and comment about original art. 

As we'll soon be on the move, I've been sorting through stuff and deciding what to keep and have just found Great Housewives of Art by Sally Swain (http://www.theloosh.com/blog/great-housewives-of-art-by-sally-swain).  

This fun book was published way back in 1995 and I don't think I'll ever throw it away.  It's one of those books which, every time I look at it, there's something new to learn and to laugh over.  

Above is the front cover: 'Mrs Degas vacuums the floor'.  
This book answers the eternal question of why, historically, there were so few women scientists, artists and composers.  After all, whilst Archimedes was busy sitting in his bath saying 'eureka', what was Mrs Archimedes doing?  Wiping up the water which Archimedes had slopped over the side of the bath in his excitement, that's what! 
(according to Wikipedia: This exclamation is most famously attributed to the ancient Greek scholar Archimedes. He reportedly proclaimed "Eureka!" when he stepped into a bath and noticed that the water level rose—he suddenly understood that the volume of water displaced must be equal to the volume of the part of his body he had submerged. This relation is known as Archimedes' principle. He then realized that the volume of irregular objects could be measured with precision, a previously intractable problem. He is said to have been so eager to share his discovery that he leapt out of his bathtub and ran through the streets of Syracuse naked.)

Mrs Toulouse-Lautrec Cleans the toilet

(Thank you for the book, Fi, a lovely gift)

Walk in the Park

Now having achieved 'bus pass age' I go to Torquay by bus as the parking isn't easy.  On the way home last Friday I hopped off at Torre Abbey Sands to have a look as have never been there in the five years we're lived in The Bay.

These these photos were taken whilst crossing the park.  It was a typical sunny April day, complete with clouds, and although there were plenty of people on the beach there weren't many on this park which is just behind.

At present Torr Abbey itself if closed for refurbishment for a couple of years but it's ok to visit the park and the Spanish Barn (http://www.torre-abbey.org.uk/directions.php?v=1)


This is some of the artwork which was on display: