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Thursday, July 10, 2008

I *usually* know what I like!

Anonymous (Flemish School), Boy Looking through a Casement, ca. 1550-60.
On into the third week of Favorite Things Thursday, I add my love of art--art history to be exact. Looking at art makes me happy, even if I don't particularly care for what I'm seeing, because I have a general idea of what it takes to make art. I enjoy the challenge of trying to decipher what the artist was recording about the time he or she was living, the pop culture and philosophy embedded in a particular decade or century. Also, it is intriguing to me to study and think about what made that artist tick, what her story was or what he could pass on to me about life. And I have the luxury of making many choices of what appeals to me, since I have a problem making up my mind most any other time.
Georgia O'Keefe, Radiator Building at Night, New York, 1927


Wassily Kandinsky, Circles in Circle, 1923


The study of art history is vast and fascinating at every turn from the yellow ochre cave paintings of prehistory to the incredible but inevitable discovery of linear perspective in Italy in the 13th century. I especially like the 19th and 20th century for its departure from tradition, an expression of inner feelings and the bold use of color. Stables (Stallungen), Franz Marc 1913

Birthday Party, Marc Chagall

Self Portrait Pablo Picasso, charcoal on paper
and so many more.

Thanks to Blue for hosting her meme, Favorite Things Thursday so I get the chance to think on what makes my life uniquely mine. Stop by her site and see more favorite things from her friends.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul,
and paints his own nature into his pictures.
Henry Ward Beecher

5 comments:

Daniel J Santos said...

Excellent post, very well done.

anno said...

Somehow you've succeeded in encapsulating the sweep of art from the 16th Century through the 20th in 1000 words! The painting of the boy looking through a casement -- at first, I thought it was a photo. This was a great treat -- thanks for sharing this favorite interest of yours.

Kyanite said...

I'm so delighted you made it.
And, what a powerful thought provocking post for me.
Once a looong time ago, would you believe I studied Art History!
And, spent hours in galleries.
Now, not so much, but you may well have re-awakened my interest.
'The Stables' I don't know but think is wonderful!

The meme has thrown up some fascinating, oh, so diverse posts - it's quite exciting.

Love
Blue

Nydia said...

I totally agree with you. Art is so personal when it comes to what's beautiful or not... It all depends on who's appreciating it. I love Van Gogh, for instance, but I know people who hates his art- Is anyone wrong or right? No.
Loved the way you put it on your post.
Thanks for your sweet words on my fav thing!
Kisses from Nydia.

Nessa said...

Another great favorite. I loved the pieces you chose.