I haven't posted about Art in a while as my de Young volunteer days were curtailed when I tore my knee ligament early in December..... today, though, I spent a wonderful day at the Legion of Honour, where I participated in a Docent Tour called "The Cult of Beauty".The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde, 1860–1900 is the first major exhibition to explore the unconventional creativity of the British Aesthetic Movement, tracing the evolution of this movement from a small circle of progressive artists and poets, through the achievements of innovative painters and architects, to its broad impact on fashion and the middle-class home. The Exhibit features the works of some of my FAVOURITE, MOST BELOVED Artists - Dante Gabriel Rossetti, James McNeill Whistler, Edward Burne-Jones and designers E.W. Godwin, William Morris and Christopher Dresser. The Legion of Honor is the only U.S. venue on the world tour that includes the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. I saw many of these pieces years ago, when I spent a lot of time in England....but to see them
again - now is a delight!
again - now is a delight!
John Spencer Stanhope, Love and the Maiden, 1877. Tempera, gold paint and gold leaf on canvas
Frederic Leighton, Pavonia (Peacock in Italian) 1858-9, Oil on Canvas
Edwin William Godwin, Sideboard 1865, Ebonized Mahogany with Silver-Plated Handles and inset panels of embossed leather paper (Doesn't this look like a Bauhaus piece?)
Lawrence Alba-Tadema, Armchair, 1884, Mahogany with Ebony and Cedar Veneer, Inlaid wood, Ivory and Abalone
Design for a wallpaper with olives, lemons and pomegranates...sigh, wouldn't this look wonderful as a trim in a dining room?
For you *Lovers of Peacocks*....more stunning wallpaper!
Edward Burne-Jones’s monumental ode to Laus Veneris (1873–1878) sings with rich orange and red tones corresponding to Algernon Charles Swinburne’s heady and sensual poem of the same name. (I love Swinburne too...)
Fabulous Swan and Rush Wall Paper, Walter Crane, 1865. I HAD to buy a print to have framed..... (I adore and collect all things Swan-related!)
Beautiful, pale ladies with dreamy eyes......
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Whistler's *Woman in White*.... he likened this painting to a musical composition... when it was unveiled - it caused a scandal - the woman's unbound red hair, her un-corseted (and unbustled) dress... definitely not of the Victorian standard of Propriety!!! *Shameful*!
Edward Byrne-Jones, St. Cecelia (Patron Saint of Music and the Arts)
The cover of Oscar Wilde's *Salome*....this raised some eyebrows when it was published....and, later raised some more when Richard Strauss converted it into an Opera!
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| Dante Rossetti's Boca Bactia |
Dante Rossetti's Monna Vanna
After I left the Exhibit, I made the *mistake* of wandering into the Gift Shop....where I fell in love with a garnet necklace that has a small carved bone Intaglo (a dove carring an olive branch in its mouth and a large fresh water pearl at the end....) I HAD to have it....
Attempting my *best* Pre-Raphaelite Gaze....(Hard to do when you are both the model and the photographer a-ha-ha! ) But you can see the necklace....and my tapestery in the background...I love this era!
♥ Robin ♥
WOWZERS Robin, everything is so gorgeous! So gorgeous! I loved at each one and reading every word. Feel like I was there with you.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the necklace. you have such good taste!!!!!!!!!
Hugs
Teri, I am thrilled you liked my post.... this era in Art is not to everyone's taste....but, I have loved it since I was a child.
DeleteI shouldn't have bought that neclace.....but...it was *calling to me*....
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Excellent taste, yes! And since the garnet is my birthstone, I think it only fitting you should allow me to borrow it.
ReplyDelete:-)
I loved this post, thank you!
I wasn't familiar with some of the artists here, but of course (oh my!) Whistler is one of my favorites! The Woman In White, (later called "Symphony in White l" by him)I'd never seen. This sent me on a Google Trip to see "symphony In White 2 and 3". Fabuloso!
Sad to read what his critics at the time thought about these works. And that he was bankrupted at the end. Such an interesting history of such a fine painter. Robin, thank you, thank you. I've had such a good time. So what if the dishes aren't done, right?!
I think I may as well go re-visit some of his landscapes. His critics called them dreary.
Off with their heads!!
Babs...I am thrilled to find out that we share a love of Whistler. These days, he seems to be remembered only for the portrait of his Mother. I was fortunate enough to have seen it both at the Orsay in Paris and here last year when we had our *Impressionist* Exhibit. While it is, no doubt, a beautiful painting....he did so much more. I love that you did some more research on the *Symphony in White* and on Whistler, himself! You are a January Girl! Belated Birthday Wishes!
DeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
PS:
ReplyDeleteI'm back to report after reading more of Whistler, I'm happy to say he was able to resuscitate his fortunes. I wouldn't want to leave mis-information here!
Ooh, I like the one on bottom best--the beautiful lady with the tapestry--is it a Raphael? Oh, that's YOU! Oh, my, now you're going to think that I knew that before I started writing this, and that this is my idea of humor; aren't you? See there, I knew it. Boy, I just can't compliment some people.
ReplyDeleteI somehow missed or forgot the part about the knee ligament, and am wondering how you knew it was ligament. I'm also surprised that you're doing so well so quickly. Although I haven't had ligament problems, I've sure had tendon problems, and I know they don't necessarily get well by themselves, EVER. I had assumed the same would be true of ligaments, but maybe your tear was pretty minor. Anyway, here's to your continued recovery.
a delightful and romantic tour of a romantic age. The paintings are so lush. I love the swan wallpaper and the peacock feathers and the furniture. Oh, such a lovely necklace and a perfect background for the beautiful woman with the blond hair.!
ReplyDeleteOh Snow...you *Charmer*! You *Southerners* are so gallant! I do know how to receive a compliment - so.....Thank YOU!
ReplyDeleteI self-diagnosed myself...thanks to *Dr. Google*! I checked about 20 different websites...and came up with a torn (or probably in my case) ripped ligament. I injured it in early December - and for the first few weeks, could not take one step without extreme pain...but...all the sites said the only *cure* was alternating hot and cold compresses....and...REST. This was hard for me - I live on a hill, and my apartment is on the third floor - this meant going up and down 30 steps (each way) just to collect the mail. I was fortunate to have a great neighbour who went to the Market for me the first few weeks.... gradually, the pain began to subside....and I started to excercise it (gently)... I am so much better. (You can tell because of all those hikes I go on...) Still, I have tighteness, some stiffness and occasional pain (time for Advil) from time-to-time. It may take up to a year for it to completely heal....in the meantime...no more 4" stilettos on this girl....it's flats and boots!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Suki....I thought about you as I viewed the furniture and those exsquisite wallpapers! I wish I could have photographed some of the gowns too....you would have loved them...no corsets, loose fitting, flowing....enabling a woman to move in comfort......to write, paint, play the piano forte - yet still look feminine and alluring!
DeleteThank you for the compliments too...the necklace issomething I will always enjoy....I have always wanted something like it.
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
I'm happy for your guided tour of this terrific exhibit! And your pose brought a big smile to my face. Thank you and have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteOh yes these things suits you dear!
ReplyDeleteI can really see you in this era!
The necklace is perfect for you dear!
I love all those peacock things and the wallpaper with the olives makes me think of Lo and I can see a tablecloth or runner on her table like that.......
♥M
I received your peacock card the other day :) No need to tell you I LOVE it :) Thankd you dear ♥
Delete*GZ* - I chuckled about my pose too....would have tried to copy one of the paintings, but it was too difficult for me to photograph....ME!
ReplyDeleteMay your week be a wonderful one!!!!
Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
Marianne...I was in *Heaven*...after the private tour ended, I wandered back in and stayed there for 2 more hours.... the pieces reminded me of my youth and when I was in love with *being in love*....
ReplyDeleteI thought of you with the peacock images....(check your mail soon)...and the wallpaper does make me think of Lo and Suki!
Love to all,
♥ Robin ♥
Ooooh, I love every single one of these images!! You have chosen a few of my all time faves.
ReplyDeleteThe peacock designs made me think of Marianne :)
The lemon and pomegranate motif looks like something I would paint in a dining room on a wall.Fantastic! Very European.
I'm glad you treated yourself to that necklace. it looks beautiful on you!
Miss you!
Love,
B♥S
the necklace is beautiful, robin. i'm glad to see your good taste self indulgence. that is well deserved.
ReplyDeletei also had not seen this painting by whistler. anybody in white is my very favorite fashion.
i will probably talk about my new mac laptop too much, but i have to say i am stunned and delighted by how sharp the colors are on my screen. thanks for this afternoon museum-ing with you.
xoxo
kj
Dear KJB... I am thrilled I could introduce you to another side of Whistler. (In fact, as Babs pointed out, there are two more of his *White Women* series.. I wish I could have shown you the details in this painting...the Woman is standing on a Polar Bear Skin Rug...normally, that fact would repulse me...but, bending as close as I could, I was memorized by the amazing brush strokes...suddenly, I could see Whistler bending down, deep in concentation.....I felt a *rush of connection*....
DeleteI'm happy you like my necklace... I haven't bought jewelry for me in a long, long time. Afterwards, I was happy I did it! Another step of independance, right?
Congrats on your MAC! I expect you to master it so when the day finally comes and I buy one - I know who to call! A-ha-ha!
Love,
♥ Cupcake ♥
Thanks for the museum tour - there are some richly beautiful paintings there.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous necklace, too - I embiggened the photo to have a closer look. Peace doves are one of my very favorite symbols.
Hello CS! I am glad you enjoyed touring the Legion of Honour with me! It is always a special delight to see things you adore up close....looking at all the brush strokes - or in the creation of some of the furniture...was incredible!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like my necklace... every time I wear it now, it makes me smile...
Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
I saw that show yesterday. Photography was not allowed. Did you get special permission some way? I really appreciate your photos as I am writing something about it in my novel.
ReplyDeleteI saw that show yesterday. Photography was not allowed. Did you get special permission some way? I really appreciate your photos as I am writing something about it in my novel.
ReplyDelete