Tag Archives: Cezanne

Delacroix inspires!

Delacroix and the Rise of Modern Art, Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, London, until 22nd May 2016

Eugène Delacroix The Death of Sardanapalus (reduced replica), 1846 Oil on canvas 73.7 x 82.4 cm © Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania The Henry P. McIlhenny Collection in memory of Frances P. McIlhenny, 1986 (1986-26-17)

Eugène Delacroix
The Death of Sardanapalus (reduced replica), 1846
Oil on canvas
73.7 x 82.4 cm
© Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania
The Henry P. McIlhenny Collection in memory of Frances P. McIlhenny, 1986 (1986-26-17)

This is a very interesting exhibition because while sadly it may not be so much of a crowd drawer as other exhibitions, it tells about an important chapter in 19th century French painting – the story of Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) who despite being trained in the Neo-Classical school broke away from that tradition and became as Baudelaire put it ‘a poet in painting’.

Eugène Delacroix Self Portrait, about 1837 Oil on canvas 65 x 54.5 cm Musée du Louvre, Paris (RF 25) © RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Eugène Delacroix
Self Portrait, about 1837
Oil on canvas
65 x 54.5 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris (RF 25)
© RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Delacroix was an admirer of Rubens and of English painting.  His works with their bold brushstrokes and use of colour were criticised by the establishment as were his choice of subjects but he was supported by his fellow artists such as Courbet. Delacroix wrote in his diary “I dislike reasonable painting.”

Paul Signac (1863-1935) Snow: Boulevard de Clichy, Paris, 1886 Oil on canvas 66 x 43.2 cm © The Minneapolis Institute of Art Bequest of Putnam Dana McMillan 61.36.16

Paul Signac (1863-1935)
Snow: Boulevard de Clichy, Paris, 1886
Oil on canvas
66 x 43.2 cm
© The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Bequest of Putnam Dana McMillan 61.36.16

While a third of the paintings on show are by Delacroix, the majority are by other artists –Impressionists, Post Impressionists, Symbolists, and Fauves – who were influenced by the genius of his work and also, like him, dared to break the rules and be innovative. As Cézanne aptly summed it up – “We all paint in Delacroix’s language”.

Paul Gauguin Still Life with a Sketch after Delacroix, 1887 Oil on canvas 40 x 30 cm Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg © Photo Musées de Strasbourg, M. Bertola

Paul Gauguin
Still Life with a Sketch after Delacroix, 1887
Oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
Musée d’Art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg
© Photo Musées de Strasbourg, M. Bertola

Certainly, to my mind, Delacroix rules over this well worth visiting show.

 

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Burrell at Bonhams

‘Burrell at Bonhams – An exhibition of masterpieces from the Burrell Collection, Glasgow’, Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London W1, 15th December 2014 – 9th January, 2015.

Ceremonial Oak Bedhead made for the marriage of King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleeves (1539)

Ceremonial Oak Bedhead made for the marriage of King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleeves (1539)

It comes as a surprise to think that it was in 1983 that the Burrell Collection opened in its specially designed building in Pollok Country Park and now is in need of a major refurbishment and redisplay.

Stained glass panel Prophet Jeremiah - France (place of manufacture) - 13th century coloured glass

Stained glass panel Prophet Jeremiah – France (place of manufacture) – 13th century coloured glass

The collection, which took Sir William Burrell some eighty years to create, has over nine thousand objects (antiquities, objects, tapestries and paintings) in it and ranks highly among the world’s great personal collections. When Sir William and his wife gave the collection to the City of Glasgow in 1944 he specified that items were not to be loaned for exhibition overseas, since as a shipping magnate he was aware of the possibility of damage in transit. It therefore took a bill approved by the Scottish Parliament in January of this year to allow for the first international tour, of which this exhibition is the prelude.

Wine ewer China; Jingdezhen (place of manufacture) Ming Dynasty – 15th Century

Wine ewer China; Jingdezhen (place of manufacture)
Ming Dynasty – 15th Century

There are forty-five star items on show, including a 1632 Rembrandt self-portrait, Cezanne’s Chateau of Medan, and the bed head of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves, dated 1539, whose decoration includes erotic scenes. Other outstanding pieces are the falconry set of James IV and a Korean Celadon tea bowl. I can only recommend this show to you and suggest that you make an effort to see these wonderful items.

The Beach at Trouville; the Empress Eugenie Boudin, Eugène Louis (1824 - 1898; French)

The Beach at Trouville; the Empress Eugenie
Boudin, Eugène Louis (1824 – 1898; French)

Opening times:
15 December 2014 to 9 January 2015, 9.00am-5.30pm
(Closed weekends and from 24 December – 4 January)
Admission is free.
#BurrellatBonhams

Fluted plate armour Germany; South Germany; Nuremberg; possibly (place of manufacture) circa 1515

Fluted plate armour Germany; South Germany; Nuremberg; possibly (place of manufacture) circa 1515

http://www.bonhams.com
http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/…/burrell-collection

Enamelled copper dish. Made in Venice; Italy; 15th century

Enamelled copper dish. Made in Venice; Italy; 15th century