The The Siesta by Jehan Georges Vibert shows a rustic inn in Spain.
Jehan Georges Vibert The siesta (La Sieste), 1862
The level of finish and the soft lighting seem inspired by seventeenth-century Dutch still life painting.
Painted when he was just 22 years old, this was Jehan Georges Vibert's first painting exhibited at the Paris Salon, and it was later exhibited in England, where it led to his popularity there.
Fascinating. Like you, James, this artist can take a rather ordinary scene and make it magical. If we were to have actually stumbled across this scene at the time, in real life, it probably would not have been so engaging. It would probably just have looked ordinary or slightly messy.
ReplyDeleteThat deep inglenook color is beautiful.
What is the box that is near to feet of the person on the left?
And, is the person on the left actually asleep?
I've been seeking a decent explanation of sfumato, its application and use, etc. Nowhere can I find it. Am I missing something? I understand the basics of it, but I'd love more detail.
ReplyDeleteForrest, sorry, I had that title there from an early draft and forgot to explain it. This painting has mysterious looking dark areas; hence the word sfumato, which refers to the smoky looking shadows.
ReplyDeleteThis is an aggregate "thank you" for exposing me to so many wonderful images of paintings that I would normally not get to see. I appreciate your work associated with keeping this excellent blog going! Sincerely, Rock Perkins
ReplyDeleteDa Vinci used sfumato, infamously. I am trying to find working examples of how these are accomplished -- for example, it must involve merging two colors together etc. to create the illusion of depth. It's fascinating.
ReplyDelete