Happy 88th birthday, Edward Gorey.
(For anyone who is wondering, this is a panel from “The Osbick Bird”. You can find the poem as an individual book, or within Amphigorey Too, and I certainly suggest doing so. Also, his other works and a biography, if you can. Edward Gorey was brilliant.)
It’s been a while since our last art appreciation post. So, today we present a selection of works from Daniel Maclise (25 January 1806 - 25 April 1870).
Daniel Maclise was an Irish painter and lithographer who worked the majority of his life in London. He is perhaps best known for his two grand paintings (not pictured above) in the walls of Westminister Palace - The Meeting of Wellington and Blücher and The Death of Nelson - but his other work was equally worth sharing. His subjects ranged from portraiture to literary illustration to grand historical scenes, and all of his paintings are marked by an exceedingly theatrical atmosphere.
One of my absolute favourite artists for today’s art appreciation: Carl Larsson.
Carl Larsson (1853-1919) was a Swedish painter who is best known for his bold, illustrative watercolours. Although he did also work in oils and even painted several frescoes, people responded much more strongly to his simpler pieces (often to Larsson’s chagrin). His work is notable for its clean lines, bright hues, and - above all - for its lively depiction of family life. His main models for his work were his wife, Karin, and their eight children, which certainly suited him. The clear affection Larsson felt for his family shines through each piece. The result is warm, cheery paintings that make you want to be in the scene with them.
It’s been a while since we last had an art appreciation post. So, in honour of his birthday, here is William Hogarth’s Marriage à-la-mode.
William Hogarth (10 November 1697 - 26 October 1764) was an English painter and printmaker perhaps best known for his satire and editorial cartoons. Marriage à-la-mode was a series of six paintings lambasting upper class society and arranged marriages. The images are intended to tell a story.
In order, they are as follows:
1. The Marriage Settlement. Here we see the aged and poor Earl arranging marriage for his son to the daughter of a wealthy but frugal merchant. The Earl’s son is completely taken with himself (and is, in fact, gazing at his own reflection), while the merchant’s daughter is listening to a young lawyer.
2. The Tête à Tête. Already the marriage is going badly. The second painting shows the pair and their home in disarray after separate nights of partying, gambling, and carousing. Their steward is leaving the room in disgust, with a hand full of bills and receipts.
3. The Inspection. Wherein the Earl’s son is visiting the doctor, having contracted a venereal disease. We are led to believe that the young girl next to him is his mistress.
4. The Toilette. The Earl has died, making his son the Earl and his wife the Countess. we are also led to believe (by the presence of a teething coral on her chair) that she is now a mother. The Countess is engaging in the morning practice of holding a toilette, or reception, in her bedroom. Once again, she is talking to the young lawyer - and seeming quite familiar together!
5. The Bagnio. The word ‘bagnio’ would have been easily recognizable in the 1740’s as referring to a place where one could get a room for the night with no questions asked. This painting reveals the Earl having discovered his wife and her lover (the lawyer). The lawyer has fatally wounded the Earl, and is escaping out the window while the Countess begs her husband for forgiveness.
6. The Lady’s Death. The final scene in the story. The Countess, back in her father’s home, has committed suicide after the execution of her lover.
Source: cbsorelIn which, could I get a reblog from a few of my followers? My Storenvy is up and running, with way more than 4 prints, and I’d greatly appreciate it.
And guess what: The first 5 people to buy something get a free print of their choice.
There’ll be more, I’m cutting paper as I type. Not really, but you know what I mean.
Anyone who has not yet seen Justin Gerard’s gorgeous illustrations for The Silmarillion really ought to do so posthaste. They are absolutely stunning (as is the rest of his work).
Source: quickhidehere.blogspot.com
Source: graphitedollI read Good Omens recently, and it is awesome!! when is the tv show coming out?
and thanks guys for not un-following me!! i had to move into a new apartment — but everything’s good now!
’(…)She looked down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror cracked from side to side;
“The curse is come upon me,” cried
The Lady of Shalott.’ - Tennyson
(via fuckyeaharthuriana)
Source: elmerpaisley
