The doors of perception lead to the pastoral landscapes of our mind. I am in awe of an impressive city skyline, but I always return to the glorious majesty of Mother Earth - the greatest artist of them all.
When I lived in London, I spent many hours in the Clore gallery portion of Tate Britain, housing the ever-rotating display of Turner paintings. Paul Cezanne is often called the father of modern and abstract art, but in my opinion - it is J.M.W. Turner. So often, his paintings are expressive movements of intense gestural mark-making and color with only the smallest detail that grounds it. Perhaps it is a ship, a figure, or an architectural structure. Often insignificant in the grand scale of what else is happening. Turner's tumultuous skies cast beams of light and shards of color throughout the canvas, capturing the ever-changing English sky better than most.
I would like to add the incredible paintings of another Englishman, John Virtue. His massive canvases echo the heavy expressiveness of Turner, yet he does it in black and white. They are suffocating and weighty, but so is the sky on that densely populated island floating in the cold, windy, and stormy North Sea.
As always, this was a delight to read, Deborah. Thank you.
I see what you mean about John Virtue's paintings. I've been looking at his Landscape No. 703, the raw power of his sky and the sea below and the hazy outlines of the cityscape in between. I can image what it would look like blown up to gigantic proportions. Also in his Untitled No. 37, though so much smaller and no doubt an abstract I see a powerful portrayal of an angry and defiant seascape, the white raging waves against the battered rocks. That one I would own if I could. Thank you for introducing him to me, and also for your always informative and lovely response. And, yes, Turner. I have a book of his paintings "Turner and the Sea" which showcases his highly dramatic but realistic and historical scenes of ships and sea wrecks to the later ethereal almost monochromatic ones that are largely abstract. Takes your breath away.
Between 2003-2005, Virtue was the artist at residence at the National Gallery in London. While there, one is asked to create work that will eventually be displayed at the end of the residency alongside the Museum's classical collection of Old Masters. Virtue's show was absolutely stunning. The gallery was dim, the canvases nearly the size of Scotland, and the deep, dripping blacks sucked you in and smothered you with a thick fog straight out of London's past or enveloped you in the stormy skies off the North Sea coast. The exhibit was both astonishing and jaw-dropping. It took my breath away, and I'll never forget it. They are definitely paintings you need to see in person, as the sheer scale alone is impressive.
I love Prendergast. This one I've never seen before. He's in The Met, so I would've seen him that way, but I'm sure I first saw him in art books. Another watercolorist I enjoy, who painted landscapes, but with a more abstract and modernist look is John Marin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Marin
Yes, Prendergast! And thandk you for introducing me to John Marin. I love his "Sun Spots," and his spare "Tree, Beach and Sea" reminds me of some of my favorite drawings by the classic Zen artists.
You have selected six paintings I could visit and revisit and revisit again. There’s so much to admire and love in each one. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I’d have to choose Prendergast. I love the spontaneity and playfulness of his work. Watercolor seems to lend itself to that. One must work quickly, remain fluid, capture the bright breathtaking colors almost on the fly.
Your descriptions are practically hypnotic. I love the way they beckon us into each painterly world, each experience. A lovely post, Deborah. Thank you.
Unfortunately, I have no painterly skills at all, Deborah. But I’ve had friends over the years who were water colorists and learned to appreciate the craft through them.
These are all wonderful pieces of art, Deborah. Thank you for posting this uplifting piece. I LOVE Turner and am acquainted with the others EXCEPT for Predergast.... How did I miss that person? I'm with you on the work you selected to feature here. It oozes joie de vivre . I need to look at more from him. Thanks for a lovely celebration of light, especially on this the summer solstice.
I'm glad you enjoyed these Gracie. It is a celebration of light. And color. And yes, Prendergast was new to me when I first came across this painting and fell in love. His beach scenes are my favorite.
The doors of perception lead to the pastoral landscapes of our mind. I am in awe of an impressive city skyline, but I always return to the glorious majesty of Mother Earth - the greatest artist of them all.
When I lived in London, I spent many hours in the Clore gallery portion of Tate Britain, housing the ever-rotating display of Turner paintings. Paul Cezanne is often called the father of modern and abstract art, but in my opinion - it is J.M.W. Turner. So often, his paintings are expressive movements of intense gestural mark-making and color with only the smallest detail that grounds it. Perhaps it is a ship, a figure, or an architectural structure. Often insignificant in the grand scale of what else is happening. Turner's tumultuous skies cast beams of light and shards of color throughout the canvas, capturing the ever-changing English sky better than most.
I would like to add the incredible paintings of another Englishman, John Virtue. His massive canvases echo the heavy expressiveness of Turner, yet he does it in black and white. They are suffocating and weighty, but so is the sky on that densely populated island floating in the cold, windy, and stormy North Sea.
As always, this was a delight to read, Deborah. Thank you.
I see what you mean about John Virtue's paintings. I've been looking at his Landscape No. 703, the raw power of his sky and the sea below and the hazy outlines of the cityscape in between. I can image what it would look like blown up to gigantic proportions. Also in his Untitled No. 37, though so much smaller and no doubt an abstract I see a powerful portrayal of an angry and defiant seascape, the white raging waves against the battered rocks. That one I would own if I could. Thank you for introducing him to me, and also for your always informative and lovely response. And, yes, Turner. I have a book of his paintings "Turner and the Sea" which showcases his highly dramatic but realistic and historical scenes of ships and sea wrecks to the later ethereal almost monochromatic ones that are largely abstract. Takes your breath away.
I can stare at JMW Turner's work for hours. I will have to look up John Virtue. Thanks for the recommendation.
Between 2003-2005, Virtue was the artist at residence at the National Gallery in London. While there, one is asked to create work that will eventually be displayed at the end of the residency alongside the Museum's classical collection of Old Masters. Virtue's show was absolutely stunning. The gallery was dim, the canvases nearly the size of Scotland, and the deep, dripping blacks sucked you in and smothered you with a thick fog straight out of London's past or enveloped you in the stormy skies off the North Sea coast. The exhibit was both astonishing and jaw-dropping. It took my breath away, and I'll never forget it. They are definitely paintings you need to see in person, as the sheer scale alone is impressive.
Wow! Your description is so enticing!
I love Prendergast. This one I've never seen before. He's in The Met, so I would've seen him that way, but I'm sure I first saw him in art books. Another watercolorist I enjoy, who painted landscapes, but with a more abstract and modernist look is John Marin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Marin
Yes, Prendergast! And thandk you for introducing me to John Marin. I love his "Sun Spots," and his spare "Tree, Beach and Sea" reminds me of some of my favorite drawings by the classic Zen artists.
You have selected six paintings I could visit and revisit and revisit again. There’s so much to admire and love in each one. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I’d have to choose Prendergast. I love the spontaneity and playfulness of his work. Watercolor seems to lend itself to that. One must work quickly, remain fluid, capture the bright breathtaking colors almost on the fly.
Your descriptions are practically hypnotic. I love the way they beckon us into each painterly world, each experience. A lovely post, Deborah. Thank you.
Thank you Andrew. I'm so glad you enjoyed these these paintings too. I loved what you said about painting with watercolor. Is that something you do?
Unfortunately, I have no painterly skills at all, Deborah. But I’ve had friends over the years who were water colorists and learned to appreciate the craft through them.
These are all wonderful pieces of art, Deborah. Thank you for posting this uplifting piece. I LOVE Turner and am acquainted with the others EXCEPT for Predergast.... How did I miss that person? I'm with you on the work you selected to feature here. It oozes joie de vivre . I need to look at more from him. Thanks for a lovely celebration of light, especially on this the summer solstice.
I'm glad you enjoyed these Gracie. It is a celebration of light. And color. And yes, Prendergast was new to me when I first came across this painting and fell in love. His beach scenes are my favorite.