My Valentine

All posts tagged My Valentine

Venus Comforting Cupid

Posted by Maverick ~ on February 14, 2018
Posted in: Art, Music, Photography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Venus Comforting Cupid
Benjamin West

“Benjamin West painted many versions of this tender scene recalling an ode by the ancient Greek poet Anacreon. Here, Venus comforts her son, Cupid, after he suffers a bee sting. This painting reflects the noble ideals and elevated sentiments of the history painting genre, for which West became a key representative.

The American-born West left for Italy in 1760 to expand his artistic repertoire. There he saw the increasing influence of classical antiquity on artistic style and taste. He learned sophisticated glazing techniques that differed from the painting methods he learned in Pennsylvania. After three years in Italy, he permanently settled in England.”   — Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art …….. ❤

The Valentine Dress

Posted by Maverick ~ on October 17, 2017
Posted in: Art, Music, Photography. Tagged: , , , , .

The Valentine Dress
Thu Nguyen

"Thu Nguyen’s landscape and portrait paintings are inspired by such artists as Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth. She is especially interested in studying her subjects’ emotional states. In this portrait of her daughter, Nguyen depicts “the contrast between the stereotype of a carefree, sweet childhood with the reality of a life often filled with anxiety.” The girl is represented as being detached from her environment, and her rigid pose contrasts with the whimsical, heart-shaped patterns on her dress."

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“This painting portrays the contrast between the stereotype of a carefree sweet childhood with the reality of a life often filled with anxiety, confusion and loneliness. While the girl is wearing a cute sentimental valentines dress, her entire posture is self contained and rigid. She is standing in a typical kitchen but seems physically and emotionally detached from her environment.” – Thu Nguyen