I always feel bad for a person I really admired and have been amply inspired by: C.S. Lewis. The day that Lewis died is one of those days that everyone can tell where they were at, that everyone remembers vividly. It's a day that history will never forget, but not because Lewis died that day. The day C.S. Lewis might have gotten more attention for that reason had it not also been the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Today will be remembered as the day after the miracle of Flight 1549, the only successful landing of a jet on water ever. I feel badly for painter Andrew Wyeth, whose death today at age 91 would have gotten more press were it not for yesterday's amazing news. You can read his New York Times obituary, here.
posted by rabbi neil fleischmann @ 12:14 PM
6 Comments:
I like Andrew Wyeth's painting. I was somewhat surprised by the tone of the NY Times article. I remember seeing a print of Christina's World in my sixth grade classroom and thinking it was a haunting image. It was one of the first paintings I painted a copy of.
What about their tone surprised you?
I could see that image of Christina's World really creeping out a sensitive sixth grader. That painting is profound. I was thinking of posting that painting but went with the Bush/Wyeth photo instead (which I got from the WCBS radio website, where it accompanies a nice article).
Jill Miller posted a picture of Wyeth's most well know work, Cristina's World, as well as some worthwhile musings and comments on his place as a major American painter, here:
http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com/2009/01/17/andrew-wyeth-rip/
Regarding the tone of the NYT review - I was put off by the subtle and not-so-subtle put-downs: Phrases like "a mechanical and unremarkable kind of realism" (describing Christina's World). The reviewer uses the word "popular" six times to describe the artist and his painting (not once referring to him as "respected" or even "talented").
I think the most insulting line is when he describes the Helga paintings as "soft-core renditions of his recumbent model." It seems that to the NYT reviewer, Wyeth was less an artist and more a popular hack, with ventures into soft-core ___ late in his career. I find that insulting, certainly in tone, and probably in intent.
When I was in high school my mother (my earliest art tutor) gave me a book of Wyeth's black and white sketches. He could do so much with a line, a brush stroke -- it took my breath away.
Miriam L is right that the art world snubbed Wyeth. He was seen as a glorified illustrator by many critics. I don't know and I don't care if they are right! I adore Wyeth's works. As a New Englander, their flat sometimes brutal light speaks to me, as do the familiar buildings and terrain in his paintings. The Helga works have their own potent beauty and go far beyond mere lust; here was a man who studied and adored a particular woman, knew her every curve and blemish and mood. The portraits are Wyeth's extended love song as only he could render it: austere, stripped-down, genuine.
Neil, I actually didn't realize that C.S. Lewis (whose writings I know well and love, more so his nonfiction than his children's fables) died on that particular day. He fell like Icarus, unnoticed.
Thanks Miriam and Anne for the thorough, rich comments.
Miriam, I totally hear what you're saying - it sounds like it was on urose, like the person was playing to the party line. I am not familiar with anything really besides Christina's World, but to me that's enough to give a man a legacy as a grat artist. You really read the obit carefully, and I feel badly that his insults hit you hard, like darts.
Anne - Thanks, sounds like you really got Wyeth and that he really got through to you. It sounds to me like he was a great artist. You really describe him well, a nice tribute.
I am also a fan of Lewis' no-fiction. I have quoted from it on occasion here. He really inspires me, and I find no problem in carrying over his words to my faith.
Post a Comment
<< Home