tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post3029404838816234898..comments2024-03-28T16:36:12.581-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: Boulter’s LockJames Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-61065194522919833322008-07-19T09:05:00.000-04:002008-07-19T09:05:00.000-04:00Nothing wrong with stirring things up, Erik. Just...Nothing wrong with stirring things up, Erik. Just be careful: shock value has become kind of academic. <BR/><BR/>;-)Glendon Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03582347493421110738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-25366505240232081982008-07-19T05:37:00.000-04:002008-07-19T05:37:00.000-04:00Of course, I did exaggerate a bit just to stirr th...Of course, I did exaggerate a bit just to stirr things up a little, but I'm glad I did as it resulted in some interesting thoughts.<BR/><BR/>I like the definition of 'masterpiece' you[James] give here, mainly because it moves from the objective (a work IS no longer a masterpiece) to the subjective (a work CAN BE CONSIDERED a masterpiece IF...), and that's really the way I like it. But I also like the criteria themselves.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for zooming in on the example painting : knowing better why someone appreciates a certain thing helps in being able to appreciate it yourself.<BR/><BR/>Learned a new italian phrase here.<BR/><BR/>And finally: sorry to those that used the expression "...IS a masterpiece." I do realize that the statement is used to express personal taste rather than to <I>impose</I> taste in a dictatorial way! But as I said - wanted to stirr a little.Erik Bongershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409523352634066030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-50302567180913128522008-07-18T10:19:00.000-04:002008-07-18T10:19:00.000-04:00The first scene looks very much like a scene I reg...The first scene looks very much like a scene I regularly used to look down on from the Silver Street Bridge in Cambridge on a sunny summer's afternoon in the 70s when all the punts were really busy! That photo took me right back in time!!!<BR/><BR/>The water is wonderful and I agree about the value of the composition. What's very odd about it is the angle and height of the perspective. The artist who is 'seeing' this scene is not apparently in the water (or is he?) as the angle is too high but then again neither is he on a bridge as that would have meant looking down from an even higher angle (and as indicated I've a lot of experience of looking down from a bridge which didn't offer much clearance!). A puzzle........ <BR/><BR/>For me, the only artist whose compositions have had me in the boat right next to him is Sargent - but then he was painting while actually in the boat!<BR/><BR/>So far as Art Inconnu is concerned - interesting, but I think the author stretches the concept of 'fair use' a tad too far by posting images of a painter who died in 2000 without any comment at all even if he did provide source attribution. I personally wouldn't want to get into a debate or tangle on copyright matters with the Marlborough!Making A Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509483023337008890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-63952034621353080262008-07-18T06:08:00.000-04:002008-07-18T06:08:00.000-04:00Erik,As always your profound insights deepen the c...Erik,<BR/>As always your profound insights deepen the conversation. My response to this painting is entirely subjective, of course, and based on a poster-size reproduction I have at home (Sorry, Diantres, I couldn't find a bigger one on the web). <BR/><BR/>Seeing the whole and its parts gives me more than mere pleasure in its aesthetic surface and its narrative detail: the whole painting expresses to me a feeling of a joy of life and dolci far niente, which is just as worthy an emotion for art, I'm sure you'll grant, as the darker emotions.<BR/><BR/>To be accurate, the painting is not a purely academic in the sense that it was seen as very progressive in its day. Contemporary critics objected to the figures on the bridge handled in light values, or the thick paint in the reflections (I agree, Andy, the water is amazing), or the cropping, which is very like Degas and eastern art.<BR/><BR/>Regarding "masterpiece" or "chef-d'oeu·vre" or "capolavoro" or whatever you want to call it, I think there are some objective measures, and it's not some pronouncement on high. May I suggest that a painting is a master work if it's 1. loved by the public over more than half a century, 2. the best work of an artist's career, and 3.typical or resonant of its zeitgeist. So perhaps we could agree that Picasso's Guernica is a masterpiece even if it may not be someone's "cup of tea."James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-13361138038395230672008-07-17T23:17:00.000-04:002008-07-17T23:17:00.000-04:00Gosh, his reflections in the water are amazing!Gosh, his reflections in the water are amazing!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423051076809524563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-71304253086729143932008-07-17T19:01:00.000-04:002008-07-17T19:01:00.000-04:00Hey Christy, that's a great art inconnu site. Adde...Hey Christy, that's a great art inconnu site. Added it to my favorites.Erik Bongershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409523352634066030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-46487627608608246152008-07-17T18:53:00.000-04:002008-07-17T18:53:00.000-04:00Long time since we had a post with such an outspok...Long time since we had a post with such an outspoken personal view on art :)<BR/><BR/>But first : Hey, I've been paying attention in class and at the risk of being considered that horrible student that is trying too hard to become the teacher's favourite :<BR/>"Sir ! Sir ! I've found another one, yes Sir ! The painting also contains a good example of <A HREF="http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2008/05/flagging-head.html" REL="nofollow">flagging</A>. Look at the figure in front of the white sail!"<BR/><BR/>On the matter of the word "Academic".<BR/>I remember years ago an art teacher at that was reviewing my work at the end of a semester. He hesitated before remarking "Your work is ermmm...rather...errmm.. aca...ermm...academic."<BR/>He waited with a look as if I was going to hit him, but I smiled, to show I considered that remark a compliment. Nevertheless I quit that art education after 1 year and a half and started a carreer in...computers.<BR/><BR/>And a third remark:<BR/>C'mon guys ! This is a post that expresses <I>personal taste</I>!<BR/>Dare to respond that you don't (fully) agree!<BR/>Being all in agreement is like being surrounded by all smiling people. It's creepy.<BR/>So here I go:<BR/>If there's one thing about Victorian (or academic) painting that I don't like it's the lack of emotion. A painting like this one does nothing to me at the emotional level. True, it's extremely well and intelligently composed and demands to be 'read'. So it's very narrative or legible. But it has no emotional impact on me whatsoever and that's important to me. There's nothing striking, awkward, repulsive, shocking, tender, sad, sensual, spiritual, cold, empty, void, ...ok, ok, you get my point.<BR/><BR/>And a 4th comment.<BR/>I've read a certain sentence once too many on this post.<BR/>One who says that a painting IS a masterpiece is one who thinks to have the devine insight to be able to recognize a masterpiece and one who considers a masterpiece a universal godgiven fact.<BR/>Ok, I'm preaching again, but I can't help myself. To me, there's no such thing as good taste, only respect for eachother's taste.<BR/>Stop saying that a work is a masterpiece as it implies that people who disagree have a certain blindness.<BR/><BR/>But don't let that stop you comparing tastes!Erik Bongershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409523352634066030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-86803694325192249202008-07-17T18:26:00.000-04:002008-07-17T18:26:00.000-04:00you might be interested in this new blog i recentl...you might be interested in this new blog i recently came across! it is all about forgotten treasures like this one by lock. it's not all realist work, but you're sure to find something you like.<BR/><BR/>http://artinconnu.blogspot.com/christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569173841399128570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-5713931516573594662008-07-17T15:26:00.000-04:002008-07-17T15:26:00.000-04:00Eric, The salon room is excellent, isn't it?Of cou...Eric, <BR/><BR/>The salon room is excellent, isn't it?<BR/><BR/>Of course we'll see what it looks like after the major reno.Glendon Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03582347493421110738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-50211457302672794712008-07-17T14:42:00.000-04:002008-07-17T14:42:00.000-04:00i wish to see a larger version of this painting of...i wish to see a larger version of this painting of the web. ;_;Diantreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07841131454973682537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-7243278178276726272008-07-17T13:27:00.000-04:002008-07-17T13:27:00.000-04:00The snobbery of academia as well as mainstream att...The snobbery of academia as well as mainstream attitudes have overlooked more than one masterpiece. I love this piece and I confess (with embarrassment) that I had not seen it before. It's a fine example of how a masterful painter can put chaos into order. Thanks for, once again, pulling something wonderful out of the archival cracks.Dianne Mizehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06290943648650327077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-2818490037220063382008-07-17T08:47:00.000-04:002008-07-17T08:47:00.000-04:00I love a painting that makes you smile because it'...I love a painting that makes you smile because it's so beautiful and masterly.<BR/><BR/>I love that room too, Glendon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15375615378259386972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-36937830511216001012008-07-17T08:28:00.000-04:002008-07-17T08:28:00.000-04:00See http://thames.me.uk/s00730.htm and scroll down...See http://thames.me.uk/s00730.htm and scroll down for a boater's perspective on this painting!Father Thameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06238153182830829292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-62327666707372322342008-07-17T06:09:00.000-04:002008-07-17T06:09:00.000-04:00While pursuing my fine arts degree in university, ...While pursuing my fine arts degree in university, by far the worst adjective that could be applied to a period, style or piece of art was calling it <I>academic</I>. <BR/><BR/>Here in Toronto, my favourite room of the Art Gallery of Ontario was the red-painted Victorian Salon, with its walls jammed with masterful realistic scenes. In another area, glowed a beautiful but unfinished Bougereau. <BR/><BR/>All forbidden and academic art when discussing what was important to progress in the history of art. <BR/><BR/>Boulter's Lock is a masterpiece and it is good of you to say so.Glendon Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03582347493421110738noreply@blogger.com