Art Lovers discussion

El Jaleo
John Singer Sargent
1882

Henri Matisse
1909
MOMA, NYC

Dance at Bougival
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
1883
MFA Boston

This was the first thing I thought of, although the title doesn't carry the theme:



The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano

Tracey wrote: "This was the first thing I thought of, although the title doesn't carry the theme:



The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano"

I love the sharp colors and contrasts in this one.

That bolt of red down the middle... and the fact that despite the formal dress the lady is barefoot... I've always liked this painting. Despite the maltreatment of the servants.

Heather wrote: "El Jaleo
John Singer Sargent
1882"

Never seen this before. Love it! All the complex shadowing. Cool!

Heather wrote: "Henri Matisse
1909
MOMA, NYC"

I had to get out an Art book for this one. Reminds me so much of The Joy of Life (1905-06) which I like very much! So it turns out, I had to use a magnifying glass, that the dancers in Joy are arrange and depicted in a very similar fashion as here! Cool!

Heather wrote: "Dance at Bougival
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
1883
MFA Boston"

The Renoir has also been a favorite for a long time!

Tracey wrote: "This was the first thing I thought of, although the title doesn't carry the theme:



The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano"

I agree, the title doesn't make much sense to me either.
I think the reddressed woman is barefoot because they are on a beach.
It's interesting that we get no full faces from anyone, which sort of forces the viewer to become more aware of their rather complimentary poses and especially the umbrellas!

Tracey wrote: "That bolt of red down the middle... and the fact that despite the formal dress the lady is barefoot... I've always liked this painting. Despite the maltreatment of the servants."

I didn't notice that she was barefoot. Interesting. I think it is kind of sensual, delicate, feminine. I'm not sure how to describe my thoughts on this. I love her dress, too!

Mark wrote: "Heather wrote: "Henri Matisse
1909
MOMA, NYC"

I had to get out an Art book for this one. Reminds me so much of The Joy of Life (1905-06) which I like very much! So it turns out, I had to use a mag..."

I had to Google the painting you mentioned The Joy of Life. Though it is not with the theme of this thread, I will post it here so we can see to what you are referring.



Henri Matisse
1905

I don't see to what you are referencing in the similarity of the dances, though. Do you mean kind of in a circular pattern? I like the way he paints human figures. I love his work anyway!

Mark wrote: "Tracey wrote: "This was the first thing I thought of, although the title doesn't carry the theme:



The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano"

I agree, the title doesn't make much sense to me either...."

I agree, Mark.

Tracey wrote: "This was the first thing I thought of, although the title doesn't carry the theme:



The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano"

I think the maid's apron contrasting on the other side of the painting with his handkerchief adds a lot to the overall color contrast of the whole painting.

Heather wrote: "Tracey wrote: "This was the first thing I thought of, although the title doesn't carry the theme:



The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano"

I think the maid's apron contrasting on the other side o..."

I agree. And since you brought my attention to it I think all the little bits of white go together. Both men's collars and also their cuffs. With also the white line of surf running across in the background.

Heather wrote: "Mark wrote: "Heather wrote: "Henri Matisse
1909
MOMA, NYC"

I had to get out an Art book for this one. Reminds me so much of The Joy of Life (1905-06) which I like very much! So it turns out, I had..."

I thought when I first saw your Matisse posting that it was a close-up of the dancing figures in Joy of Life; even though there is an extra figure in Joy. The circle, the nakedness, and gestures of the figures, especially the woman closest to the viewer, her whole body stretched out at a 45 degree angle, left left arm reaching out to the others, her right leg extended behind her, and the shape of her dark hair are all almost identical.

Heather wrote: "Dance at Bougival
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
1883
MFA Boston"

I like this painting by Renoir. Had the privilege to see it at Musee d'orsay.