Good evening all!
It's good to be back posting again, I've got a few things to share which I'm hoping won't bore you!
Firstly, I went on holiday to the beautiful, sunny Montpellier with my boyfriend about a month ago. It was our first holiday together and we had such a wonderful time. I managed to drag him round the Museé Fabre and look at some traditional and contemporary paintings, needless to say that my boyfriend just didn't "get" the more contemporary works but he really tried his best to understand and appreciate what he saw. I fell in love with the buildings and sights of the old town and, in true tourist style, we came back with hundreds of photos to show our unyielding families!
Since I returned from France I have been trying to keep my artistic interests going. When I finished up at the Slade for the summer I wanted to make sure I didn't just abandon the developments and discoveries I had made towards the end of the year. So I have been investigating my interests by way of gallery visits and BBC iPlayer!
I stumbled upon a programme on iPlayer called 'If Walls Could Talk: The History of the Home' and became intrigued when I saw the episode was on the history and development of the 'Living Room'. It was absolutely fascinating and confirmed my recently developed interest in late 18th century and early 19th century interiors. I learned so much and I definitely recommend you give it a chance! (I've put the link to the episode in the programme title above)
Watching that has sparked a chain reaction of sorts as I then took myself to The National Gallery to specifically look at some 18th century paintings, a few of which I have researched before on my foundation course.
It's good to be back posting again, I've got a few things to share which I'm hoping won't bore you!
Firstly, I went on holiday to the beautiful, sunny Montpellier with my boyfriend about a month ago. It was our first holiday together and we had such a wonderful time. I managed to drag him round the Museé Fabre and look at some traditional and contemporary paintings, needless to say that my boyfriend just didn't "get" the more contemporary works but he really tried his best to understand and appreciate what he saw. I fell in love with the buildings and sights of the old town and, in true tourist style, we came back with hundreds of photos to show our unyielding families!
Since I returned from France I have been trying to keep my artistic interests going. When I finished up at the Slade for the summer I wanted to make sure I didn't just abandon the developments and discoveries I had made towards the end of the year. So I have been investigating my interests by way of gallery visits and BBC iPlayer!
I stumbled upon a programme on iPlayer called 'If Walls Could Talk: The History of the Home' and became intrigued when I saw the episode was on the history and development of the 'Living Room'. It was absolutely fascinating and confirmed my recently developed interest in late 18th century and early 19th century interiors. I learned so much and I definitely recommend you give it a chance! (I've put the link to the episode in the programme title above)
Watching that has sparked a chain reaction of sorts as I then took myself to The National Gallery to specifically look at some 18th century paintings, a few of which I have researched before on my foundation course.
Vision des heiligen Clemens (1730-35)
The first painter I sought out was Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, a Venetian painter. It wasn't his religious subject matter that was of interest to me, but the use of movement and colour. I first saw his paintings while I was studying my foundation at Chelsea, and the tone of his palette is something I particularly admire.
The Swing (1767-68)
Another painter I researched on my foundation course was Jean-Honoré Fragonard. This French painter's work makes me smile, his style and subject reflected the culture of the 1700's and I have always been fond of the crisp colour and use of light in the paintings.
Marriage a-la-mode: 2. The Tête à Tête (1743)
This painting is by British artist William Hogarth. The part of this work that interested me most was the collection of objects proudly arranged on the mantlepiece on the right of the image.
I found it exciting to see a painting based on the era of interior I am interested in, it has made me think, how can I use this information in my painting? Can I perhaps tighten my technique and use this to create my own language?
At the moment it seems to be question after question. I know I need to get some imagery and get some painting done to find out how what I've seen and questioned will emerge onto canvas, and it's exciting.
I also found, courtesy of the Victoria & Albert Museum's website, a few books from a reading list on 18th Century interior design.
John Brewer - The Pleasures of the Imagination: English Culture in the Eighteenth Century
Christopher Simon Sykes - Private Palaces: Life in the Great London Houses
Oscar Wilde - The House Beautiful
So it looks like I'll be visiting the UCL Library tomorrow! I'll be sure to let you all know how I get on and if I progress.
That's me updated... for now.
x
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