Art appreciation thread

Greeting fellow thread-heads. I was looking through the Arts forum and noticed there’s no Art appreciation thread. Maybe there was a thread and it died so here's another starting off with prints of pictures I have on my wall in my bedroom. Please state your own favourites (with pics if you like) and why. Paintings, wood-cuts, statues whatever you like.




Impression sunrise (1873)

At first Monet called this painting of Le Havre at Dawn "Marina".

But as Edmond Renoir asked for a clearer title in order to put it down in the catalogue of the 1874 exhibition at the photographer Nadar's, Claude MONET replied :" Then put : Impression, Sunrise". This painting raised a storm of criticism and gave its name to the movement. Impressionism was born.

Why I like it: Probably my favourite painting. I love Impressionism and this picture has pride of place on my wall above my monitor. As Monet was short-sighted the picture has a hazy look and when I take off my reading glasses it looks even better.




Water Lily pond (1899-1900)

In 1883 Monet moved from the north-west of Paris to Giverny where he lived until his death. Adjacent to his property was a small pond which he acquired in 1893, where he created a water garden with an arched bridge in the Japanese style. In 1900 he exhibited a series of ten canvases of the pond, showing a single subject in differing light conditions.

Why I like it: Again the use of colour excites my mind. Also the hazy lack of clarity evokes in me memories of summers long past.



After the Bath

The serene beauty and astonishing technical execution of John William Godward's (1861-1922) paintings contradict the fact that this important artist has received virtually no critical acclaim or art historical recognition. Melancholy, kindly, reclusive, handsome, talented and shy, John William Godward's life is a mystery, a censored book, self-protected and sealed by his family. Unlike the great Olympian classicists before him, he preferred anonymity and privacy. Unfortunately Godward committed suicide after being savaged by critics and reportedly left a note indicating something to the effect that the world was not big enough for him and a Picasso.

Why I like it: I like neo-classical works to an extent but I love this picture. The smoothness of the womans' legs seems so real and... actually to be honest I think I just have a thing for brunettes!



Tsunami (1822-29)

By Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). Although it is often used in tsunami literature, there is no reason to suspect that Hokusai intended it to be interpreted in that way. The waves in this work are sometimes mistakenly referred to as tsunami, but they are more accurately called okinami; great off-shore waves. To Westerners, this woodblock seems to be the quintessential Japanese image, yet it's quite un-Japanese. Traditional Japanese would have never painted lower-class fishermen (at the time, fishermen were one of the lowest and most despised of Japanese classes); Japanese ignored nature; they would not have used perspective; they wouldn't have paid much attention to the subtle shading of the sky. Also known as 'The Great Wave Off Kanagawa'.

Why I like it: It's the best representation in art of the power of nature, in my opinion. The white 'claws' of the wave seem to be grabbing at the Fishing-boat, and the entire picture has a wonderful 'Ying-Yang' structure to it. I also love Mt.Fuji in the background; a stationary goliath completely dwarfed by the huge foreground wave.



Mount Fuji or Red Fuji (1831)

Mount Fuji is depicted towering above the landscape in a reddish glow. The foot of the mountain is wooded with pine trees. It contrasts starkly against the dark-blue sky, dotted with white clouds. This pice of work stemmed from Hokusai's personal obsession with Mt.Fuji, and is one of 36 versions he created.

Why I like it: Well, the red glow gives it a certain menace, and perhaps alludes to the last recorded eruption in 1707 during the Edo period. I admire the simplicity, too.

P.S. Krøyer: Skagens Jægere 1898.

Seven hunters and their four legged companions relaxing on the vast "outback" of Skagen in North Jutland.