Europe After Rain II

Europe After the Rain II, (1940-1942)

Another by Max Ernst

This painting was made when he lived in N.Y. It is his view ( in a surrealistic way)of the troubled social problems in Europe.

It is a very detailed piece. Though it looks to be just landscape, a closer "blown up" view shows the intricate detail used to blend the figures though out the piece. As in almost all of work, there seems to be a lot of pain portrayed here.

L'Ange du foyer ou Le Triomphe du surréalisme. 1937. Oil on canvas. 114 x 146 cm. Private collection

By Max Ernst

This painting was the done the same year that Max moved from Paris to Saint Martin d'Ardèche in the South of France. Here he really started to explore surrealism and shy away from Dada. I chose this painting for its colorful appearance and its dark meaning. This piece of art is easier to see the artist inner troubles ( a lot more so than my last blog). An interesting fact too is that Max Earnst never had any formal schooling in the arts. Actually he studied psychology and abnormal psychology, plus he served in WW1; if that helps clue into why he was such a troubled soul.

???

This was in the Dia, down stairs.

The only question I have is WHY?

Though at first it seems innocent and silly, I think there is something more in depth about it; something that is obviously very childish and perverse. Whats most troubling about it ( besides the nuse, and subliminal add for Viagra) is that it seems to have a dark message yet it is made of bright neon lights. I am completely missing the message, and I think I am happier that way. I think this artist needs counseling.

Another Pointillism Technique

"Gray weather, Grande Jatte", painted 1888. By:

Georges Seurat. I think that I like Pointillism paintings so much mainly because it seems like there's so much more time taken out to make the paintings, And that thought is somewhat more valueable to me.

Detail showing Pointillism technique

I really like this painting because i'm very impressed with the Pointillism technique. these paintings inspire me for some reason.

Georges Seurat - La Parade (1889) - detail showing pointillism technique.
Instead of painting outlines and shapes with brush strokes and areas of colour, pointillism builds up the image from separate coloured dots of paint. From a distance, the dots merge and appear to be areas of shaded tones, but the colours have an extra vibrancy from the juxtaposition of contrasting dots.

We have an Art Collector in our midst

Ron sent me this picture of a painting by Dali that his wife owns. He was telling me that prior to this class and his new found love for Modern Art (and especially surrealism) he used to think the painting was "stupid". These days, Ron likes to put on his favorite smoking coat, relax in his favorite chair while enjoying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon (think masterpiece theater) as he ponders the meaning of the piece and how it relates to the plight of humans in the universe as we know it.

"Hannibal" found; and its "Great"

This painting "Hannibal," worth $8 million, by Jean-Michel Basquiat was smuggled out of Brazil somehow, was recently located in Manhattan. U.S. authorities found the painting in an Upper East Side warehouse in November 2008. “Hannibal” — described as an acrylic, oil stick and paper collage on canvas has a strong use of color and social commentary. What are your views of this eye-catching piece.