Today, I worked at the de Young, and as promised, I managed to "capture" some of my favourite pieces of Impressionistic Art. This will be a two-part show....the first part, from now until September, features works that represent "The Birth of Impressionism". The second part. from September until January 2011, has the "REALLY BIG, FAMOUS WORKS".
But, there are some real masterpieces here now and I will share some of my favourites with you.
Top - Our "Cover Boy" Edouard Manet's "The Fife Player", 1866 . He is on all the programmes and the gift shop is even selling a paper, life-size version of his hat for children to wear.
Gustave Callebotte's "The Floor Scrapers" 1875
Frederic Bazille's "The Family Reunion" 1867
My personal favourite Impressionist (though not his best picture - but je'adore Monsieur Pissaro....) Camille Pissaro's "Red Roofs" 1877
Lastly, you KNEW I would have a Claude Monet painting......I love his "The Magpie". 1868 - 1869 If you look closely, and see the Magpie perched atop the gate - he resembles (at least to me) a musical note and the gate posts represent a musical score. A charming moment in time...
Ah, mes Amies, I hope you enjoy this little tour....
♥ Madame Robin ♥
My favorite here is "The Floor Scrapers" I love Monet too and this magpie is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh wow. a tour of the DeYoung without leaving my chair. Thank you so much. I love it that they are selling fife player hats! I too love The Floor Scrapers. Havent heard of this painter before. But love em all. The light and shadows in the Renoir, and the Monet painting of snow. Love your interpretation of the birdnote and score. I'll probably be hung by fine art lovers for saying this but the Monet reminds me of Karl Larsson and his work. Of course, his work was much more commercial and illustrative but I adore it. Winter snow is quite hard to paint, saying so as one who has tried.
ReplyDeleteThanks for my artiful outing. Shall we meet in the cafe for tea and chocolate cake?
I love the "Floor Scrapers"! I have never seen that painting before. I love the Monet in the snow as well. I wish I could see this exhibit in person! xo - Pam
ReplyDeleteSukiPoet, never feel ashamed for liking Larsson!! We, too, really like The Floor Scrapers -- how shocking it must have been at the time, along with Van Gogh's Potato Eaters -- real people doing real jobs... LilacRobin, we also love your interpretation of the magpie as a musical note!! SO cool.
ReplyDeletexoxo, Dustin et Trixie
You have no idea the memories your photos have brought back. Not too long ago I was telling Barry how they used to clean the floors in our Grandparents place in Provence. This big man would move all the furniture out of the place and then would scrape the floors with something akin to a plane, and curls of wood would result in some incredible carpet of shiny wood over a now flat and colorless wood.
ReplyDeleteThen they would carefully scoop everything and wash the wood with something they had in a metal bucket, white as milk and with a very strong odor. Years later I would find out that the name was "acaricide" ( Phenol) which was used to prevent any molds or bacteria from growing on the floors. As I said the smell was rather obnoxious, didn't seem to bother them but they went out and sat in the shade and ate their lunch and then come back and carefully waxed the now impeccably cleaned floors. They put some kind of fabric cover over their shoes, made of wool and rhythmically went back and forth over the floor until it shone as if it was lit from within. Every time I see The Floor Scrapers I swear I could still smell the strange liquid that first would be almost violet in color when coming in contact with the water and then turn the color of fresh milk.
You are a dear for bringing these wonderful photos for us to enjoy. As I told you early I went to D'Orsay so many years ago that it seems to me it never really happened. But the feelings are awakened when I see this, and I know it is true, as it is true that you are a wonderful friend who brings me gifts of beauty, for which I am so grateful. Love to you, dear Robin.
Anne, glad you enjoyed the "tour".
ReplyDelete♥ Robin ♥
Suki - see you in the de Young restaurant at 3:00 for tea and cake! Ha-ha!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked the Monet.... I have an affinity for Winter scenes - and thought this one was particularly lovely.
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Hi Pam! I am glad I included "The Floor Scrapers".... see Allegra's beautiful and memorable comment below....
ReplyDeleteI love the Impressonists because they had the courage to break away from "traditional" mythological subjects and paint "real life" scenarios.... capturing a moment of life...
Wish you could come and see this too!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
"T et D", of course, you would totally get it!
ReplyDeleteHope we can see the exhibit together!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Dear Allegra, your comment was so lovely and so beautifully despcriptive - I, too could see the men working at your Grandparent's home.
ReplyDeleteI will forever think of them (and you) when I see this wonderful painting! It pleases me to know that I can bring you gifts of beauty - because you, dear one, bring me so many!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥