I am not saying that the portrait of Balzac is great only because who he is. It is the whole spirit of the form. But having to know Balzac's work and life gives it additional power. Re. Titian's portrait of a man. It is strong painting. Reflects powerful symbolism of a powerful man in that time and space, even if it is creatively shows more than man actually was. This what is called great work of fine art. Portrait of Gagarin is not. Without knowing Hauptmann, the best works of his portrait, for me, are by Clara Rilke-Westholf, Kurt Kroner and Gustinus Ambrosi, because of creative symbolism of a talented soul. The mediocre once from the 1942. As Rodin said:" When a good sculptor models a torso, he not only represents the muscles, but the life which antimates them- more then life, the force that fashioned them and communicated to them, it may be, grace or strength, or amorous charm, or indomitable will." Boris Shoshensky To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Contemporary Portraits Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:43:27 GMT
>This statement shows total lack of knowledge who Balzac is as a phenomenon. (Boris) Yes, it does -- just as we all do regarding most of the portraits that hang in art museums. The artist may be famous - but we're lucky to even know the sitter's name. For example -- this one: http://www.shafe.co.uk/art/Titian-_-Portrait_of_a_Gentleman--_active_1506-157 6.asp Would you say that this painting also exhibits "the power of symbolic imagination"? And since you know "who Balzac is as a phenomenon" -- why can't you to tell us how the painting symbolizes what you know? Or - perhaps you should entertain the idea that whatever you find remarkable about Rodin's "Balzac" or Titian's "Portrait of a Gentleman" -- and sets them far above the mediocre -- has nothing to do with what those pieces may or may not symbolize. BTW -- here's a page of portraits all done by different sculptors of the same person - another distinguished writer, Gerhart Hauptmann. http://www.ilovefiguresculpture.com/masters/german/hauptmann/hauptmann.htm Any idea which one best symbolizes "The man, the genius, the " Human Comedy"" ? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Weight Loss Program Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/c?cp=FSdWF6VqI4gg61mjAel7BQAAJ1Gc l_zTaptgNR5c8Mer1v9kAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEUgAAAAA=
