tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post4722794867458675215..comments2024-03-18T07:23:32.809-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: End of the SongJames Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-17018282159597128322012-09-10T07:35:04.525-04:002012-09-10T07:35:04.525-04:00Thanks for all your interesting comments. The poll...Thanks for all your interesting comments. The poll closed with 190 votes in favor of the artist's original conception (hand on sword) versus 200 votes in favor of the revised version, shown in color, with the man stroking his beard.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-9181988300066355262012-09-09T11:48:47.870-04:002012-09-09T11:48:47.870-04:00Not having read Tristan and Iseult before, I consu...Not having read Tristan and Iseult before, I consulted the Wikipedia page, which includes the painting as an illustration of the legend.<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_and_Iseult<br />The article mentions several elements of the legend that appear in the painting, most notably an episode in which King Mark attacks Tristan while he is playing the harp for Iseult. But it is also part of the story that King Mark and Tristan, his nephew, love and revere each other, and that the love between T and I was induced by a love potion, resolving them responsibility to some extent and complicating Mark's options in response. So both the violent episode and the ambiguous context are true to the story.<br />Matthewmdmattinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215455490958117703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-74874456868403517612012-09-09T11:21:30.524-04:002012-09-09T11:21:30.524-04:00My daughter is only six, but I'm going to star...My daughter is only six, but I'm going to start shopping for a sword today.Joe Kulkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892634391090737104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-38215003602716734902012-09-09T10:23:28.882-04:002012-09-09T10:23:28.882-04:00I keep coming back to the rug on the floor. It see...I keep coming back to the rug on the floor. It seems to be the skin of a wolf, suggesting the animal desire underlying the romantic situation. <br />The troubadour has one foot firmly on the wolf's neck, indication that he is keeping his desire in check, at least for the time being. In fact, he and the woman each have one foot on and one foot off of the wolf, suggesting a mutual ambivalence. <br />Matthewmdmattinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215455490958117703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-79683419218781681282012-09-09T10:17:37.124-04:002012-09-09T10:17:37.124-04:00I think it becomes clearer for me in the version w...I think it becomes clearer for me in the version with the hand that it's the King her father, rather than the King her much older husband about to shoo off some young rascal.Emily Crowleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08291963630514558371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-59783081501862281722012-09-09T07:07:00.690-04:002012-09-09T07:07:00.690-04:00About the audience being aware that the arp player...About the audience being aware that the arp player was poor, just because of class distinctions... I just saw <a href="http://www.artrenewal.org/artwork/844/844/40681/Leighton_EB_End_of_Song-huge.jpg" rel="nofollow">a much bigger version of said picture</a>, and in it we can see that the harpist had shabby clothes, his harp is sorta damaged, so definetly Leighton wanted to portray him as a poor(er) man.<br /><br />Oh, and I like the colored version better. Not because of the subtlety, but because I did not see the possibility of a violent outcome before seeing the original. It was too subtle that I really did not imagine it could be possible.ricardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05427737126479587421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-56796451935364697262012-09-09T07:03:34.260-04:002012-09-09T07:03:34.260-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.ricardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05427737126479587421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-29173868633214389042012-09-09T03:55:11.081-04:002012-09-09T03:55:11.081-04:00I am surprised how evenly divided the vote is. Bu...I am surprised how evenly divided the vote is. But then, I guess it just shows that the difference is not very significant to the overall visual value of the painting.<br /><br />I still favor the B&W, because the color version seems less natural. A hand stroking a beard is a bit of a contrived theatrical device, I think. If the man is simply thinking about the young couple, it is much more likely he would simply come up the stairs looking at them. Having his hand up there looks like a mediocre actor trying to telegraph his mood.<br /><br />Putting the hand on the sword is making a very bold statement, and one might argue that the plot is a bit extreme, but it is a natural act, borne out of impending action, rather than an awkward attempt to tell the audience the inner story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-68595135677684348452012-09-09T02:12:23.258-04:002012-09-09T02:12:23.258-04:00It looks like a consecutive movie frames to me. I ...It looks like a consecutive movie frames to me. I am not sure what is the right sequence.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17375287646911668597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-80507166783455810542012-09-09T02:12:09.744-04:002012-09-09T02:12:09.744-04:00My vote is for "Stroking the Beard".
I ...My vote is for "Stroking the Beard".<br /><br />I noticed two things about the couple that no one seems to have picked up on. <br /><br />1. The harpist's arm is NOT touching the girl, even though it looks like the usual "arm on the back of the chair" it isn't, and if you look at his right hand he seems to be holding himself from leaning on to her. <br /><br />2. The entire body language of the girl, from the locked arms to the knee, seem to be a barrier - except for the leaning of her head. <br /><br />My interpretation of what is going on is that the harper is giving her some advice rather trying to seduce her. Also look at the angles of the head. He is coming from "above" and she doesn't look like she entirely agrees but is thinking about it. <br /><br />The king in the b&w looks like the overly impulsive type - which Shakespeare made such a lot of. In the color he seems to be very surprised by what he is hearing, and that some sort of growth on both parts is really happening. Shanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13184679847874938010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-3235095688510974142012-09-08T22:04:56.915-04:002012-09-08T22:04:56.915-04:00I prefer the black and white version. I like the s...I prefer the black and white version. I like the strong contrast of emotion between the king and young lovers. Whether the King is husband or father does not influence my opinion. As I view the black and white rendition with the king drawing his sword, I do not see a bad outcome, as much as see an outcome negotiated to the King's liking. ;)<br /> Sharynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05615895648764153956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-46297837939579698862012-09-08T20:19:41.713-04:002012-09-08T20:19:41.713-04:00I think the revised version works better from the ...I think the revised version works better from the point of view of design. Sure, it's more dramatic to imagine the musician is about to lose his head, but the way the king's hand appears to be cut off at the wrist, in the earlier version, is really awkward.Craig Banholzernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-36004503599393619482012-09-08T17:44:55.464-04:002012-09-08T17:44:55.464-04:00From a strictly compositional stand point, I like ...From a strictly compositional stand point, I like the first, black & white, one better. In the color one, the hand is at the same level as the top of the harp, which has the effect of flattening out the picture plane, and concentrating all the action in the top third of the painting. Plus, our eye (mine, anyway) just goes over to the right and off the picture plane entirely. In the second one, the hand is on the hilt of the sword, and the sword is pointed into the picture plane, adding a wee bit more depth the the painting as a whole, and my eye tends to follow the bend of the right leg down and around to the left, making more of a circuit around the scene.Janet Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15211855672690293121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-59092296528966069762012-09-08T16:55:55.331-04:002012-09-08T16:55:55.331-04:00I too have always seen this painting described as ...I too have always seen this painting described as Tristan and Yseult. Marc was a sneaky b. and was always plotting against his heroic nephew Tristan. Trisan is a very famous part of the Arthurian legends and Leighton's pre raphaelite era audience would be well aware of the story.lyon de clarasvalshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016689923219776277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-18742394195822323992012-09-08T15:47:23.440-04:002012-09-08T15:47:23.440-04:00I will compare the paintings on the characteristic...I will compare the paintings on the characteristic of people from old and the generation. The parents before are more strict when it comes to their daughter. plumbinghttp://www.bes.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-81907102340570543872012-09-08T15:34:13.190-04:002012-09-08T15:34:13.190-04:00The Tristan and Isolde interpretation is a great o...The Tristan and Isolde interpretation is a great one. And the title of the piece certainly infers troubling times ahead for the singer. But I personally prefer the stroking beard version, simply because it's a happier story. At first glance, the color scheme and lighting of the painting read as optimistic to me - a moment that could lead to happiness in the lives of the characters (even though the king/father figure is shrouded in forboding darkness). The other version is a sadder tale, a tragically perfect moment that is about to end.Gina Florio Soushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00860061435464635000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-5387737180748737752012-09-08T15:03:52.466-04:002012-09-08T15:03:52.466-04:00These comments are a riot! Amazing what different ...These comments are a riot! Amazing what different people infer from looking at the same paintings. It holds true that we see things the way we are, not the way they are. <br /><br />In regard to the subject of tension, the fact that the king is wearing a sword in the first painting could suggest that the idea of dispatching the young man to play his harp in the heavens is still an option, despite the thoughtful pause. For me, more possible outcomes in the first painting gives it more tension.Teresa Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07426703298499901496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-19603865124057903592012-09-08T14:49:33.905-04:002012-09-08T14:49:33.905-04:00Krystal certainly makes a strong case for Tristan ...Krystal certainly makes a strong case for Tristan and Isolde.<br /><br />Apart from that I think the color picture makes a better wall hanger while the earlier version works better as an illustration. The color picture asks a question, encouraging the viewer to contemplate the picture again and again. The second answers the question and has less long-term appeal. <br /><br />However I think Leighton's title fits the original version better, considering Victorian painters' penchant for wordplay in their titles. This is certainly the end of the song--and the singer! Smurfswackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11807173070389349098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-16452179096578142322012-09-08T13:48:41.491-04:002012-09-08T13:48:41.491-04:00I'd go with the coloured one: one reason is th...I'd go with the coloured one: one reason is the lyre; what a beautiful harp! Too lyric to deserve the harsh response of a sword! <br />Wouldn't an undecided, pondering king be more suitable to this troubadour-like scene?Richnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-56974775031869541922012-09-08T13:13:24.014-04:002012-09-08T13:13:24.014-04:00Well, it we prefer the bottom one, the poor artist...Well, it we prefer the bottom one, the poor artist sure needed someone to rap him smartly and stop him on carrying on and spoilin' it! I expect he asked one or two of his friends what they thought. Maybe his mentor pointed it out to him!<br /><br />Surely it's better to leave the viewer as much liberty as possible?JonInFrancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623398725744947374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-31427185679336500232012-09-08T13:04:30.494-04:002012-09-08T13:04:30.494-04:00I believe Krystal is correct.I believe Krystal is correct.Anna Lorettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04888523739838420918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-13666840432869829582012-09-08T12:39:04.846-04:002012-09-08T12:39:04.846-04:00Assuming the king is her father, I would prefer to...Assuming the king is her father, I would prefer to see no gesture at all as it would leave it completely up to the viewer to imagine the king's thoughts.<br />It would add complexity and tension to the moment we see pictured.<br /><br />Also, remember the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuleshov_Effect" rel="nofollow">Kulechov Effect</a>.Erik Bongershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409523352634066030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-42110661979416865402012-09-08T12:35:27.964-04:002012-09-08T12:35:27.964-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Erik Bongershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409523352634066030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-81954904745430490792012-09-08T12:25:55.538-04:002012-09-08T12:25:55.538-04:00I like the black and white version..I am an illust...I like the black and white version..I am an illustrator who is studying story in a single frame. I think the B&W version is more impactful and reads quickly; gets the point across with more tension. I think it is more "modern" storytelling, more powerfully emotive..but there are so many delicious ways to tell a story; you can do several thumbnails of the same scene and say so many different things, and a lot of times it is hard to chose the one that has the most emotional impact...Krystal, great, thoughtful insight!Kimberly M Zamlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09704753606903355966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-63466851003106793982012-09-08T11:28:22.190-04:002012-09-08T11:28:22.190-04:00I have been a professional guitarist for over 50 y...I have been a professional guitarist for over 50 years... now if the musician had been a drummer, then the man in the second picture is obviously the husband and he should menacingly run off the musician... however, since the musician was a harpist (like guitarists) the musician probably meant no harm, and the second person is probably the father who should probably run the musician off anyway (but nicely)...arturoquimicohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134447451950577224noreply@blogger.com