Status Updates From Emulation: Making Artists f...

Brimming with insight & academic depth, but feels like homework. Crow clearly a master of subject; ties disparate cultural elements together to weave a tapestry where everything is connected, led by history. Overlong; somewhat above my level despite knowing the subject really well. Tangents sometimes barely relevant; Gericault section especially, though glad he touched on what followed neoclassicism. Godd but hard.

I adore when Crow talks about the art itself--goes into a zen flow state of pulling together all these disperate elements of cross-inspiration, symbolism & history, making even unfinished works or concepts of works seem like an inevitable result of social forces culminating. Marius paintings comparison a highlight. Artist names difficult to keep straight, foreknowledge often needed, but awed by academic rigour!

Much more narrative now. Though Revloution itself glossed over, its fallout elaborated, esp. in Rome as mobs hunt French. Girodet barely survives. Insights abound as political climate informs artistic choices. Though lacking biographic focus on David, attention to his pupils/broader influence inderectly adds to his story. Other artists aping his work for Marat tribute. Good detail into context of each work. Great!

Pre-empted conclusion on David influenced by his students just by seeing a Girodet painting! On same page as a PHD! Love how book puts full-colour artworks right into the text as it mentions them & does so much more than just describe the artwork, but thoroughly analyzes them in way that feels like seeing them from totally different lens. Love how students contribute to David's works & how much paper trail there is!

Understand why its required reading for art history master's degree. Highly complex examination of David & students for people already well-versed in period/subject. Ties together all realms of culture; not only philosophy but literature & stage plays. Biographic anecdotes rare, though colourful. Love learning what this life was like. Slightly above my level despite familiarity with subject. Slow going but rewarding.

anne louis girodet was nuts