Worth a Thousand Words: Mignon

Jules-Joseph LEFEBVRE, Mignon, 1886
via French Painters

Mignon in French means sweet, cute, dainty or pretty in a delicate way.

Worth a Thousand Words: The Quack

Gerrit Dou, The Quack, 1652

I love these crowd scenes because their reactions usually tell us a lot about both the main subject, in this case The Quack, and about the people themselves. I came across a good commentary on this painting which takes that further.

In this witty visual narrative about deception, the individuals in the crowd provide a visual commentary about the quack’s work. Like the hunter, he preys upon the vulnerable, just as the pickpocket preys upon the gaping woman, and the child baits the small bird. Like the pancake seller, the quack trades in truths that are "half-baked" (in Dutch, " raw or uncooked"); her act of cleaning the child seems a scatological comment on the quality of the quack’s productions. ...

There's a lot more to find out so do check the link.

Worth a Thousand Words: Basket of Fruit

Basket of Fruit, Caravaggio

I am not usually a fan of still life paintings but this one has something that draws me to it. Must be the Caravaggio factor.

Via Lines & Colors where there are interesting detail close ups and more information.

Worth a Thousand Words: The Virgin in Prayer

Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (1609–1685), The Virgin in Prayer
via Lines and Colors

Worth a Thousand Words: Second Dream of St. Joseph

Second Dream of St. Joseph
by Daniel Mitsui

It's no secret that I really love illustrations of Biblical scenes done in Asian style. It's also no secret that I really love Daniel Mitsui's work in general. And it should also be no secret that I'm a real fan of St. Joseph.

So when I saw this new work of art I naturally wanted to share it with as many people as possible. After you have enjoyed the work at first glance, see what the artist tells us is included that you might have missed.

It depicts, in a Japanese style, the second dream of St. Joseph, in which an angel (traditionally identified as St. Gabriel) warns him to flee into Egypt with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. In this work, I especially imitated the style of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, a late ukiyo-e master. I referenced his series of woodblock prints 100 Aspects of the Moon for many parts of my drawing.

St. Gabriel holds a fan containing a vision of the Flight into Egypt and the Miracle of the Cherry Tree. I attempted to convey a sense of otherworldly urgency by having the angel’s robes and hair blown by a strong wind that affects nothing else in the picture. St. Joseph sleeps in the stable of Bethlehem, next to the gifts of the Magi (in antique Chinese vessels). The text is from Emile Raguet’s Classical Japanese New Testament translation of 1910, and says Gabriel and Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.

Worth a Thousand Words: Pepsi 12 Oz.

Pepsi 12 Oz.
painted by James Neil Hollingsworth

I'm continually in awe of James Neil Hollingsworth's realistic paintings. Just look at the way the empty bottle refracts the box. This one is best viewed large to really appreciate it. If you click through the link and then on the painting you'll see what I mean.

Worth a Thousand Words: The Difficult Reply

Guy Rose, The Difficult Reply (also known as The Difficult Response), 1910

I discovered Guy Rose via Lines and Colors, as I have discovered so many wonderful artists. I really love Rose's use of vivid color and patterns. I feel as if I could step right into that room.

Worth a Thousand Words: Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce
by the talented Edward B. Gordon

You'd never know this was by a German painter. Except for the title, of course. That's not tomato sauce. Tomato sauce is something completely different. In the U.S. anyway.

Not sure how to spell it, but I do know what it is. And that just makes me think of The Simpsons.

Mr. Burns (at the grocery store): Ketchup. Catsup. Ketchup. Catsup. Mmmm... I'm in way over my head.

Worth a Thousand Words: Studio at East Gloucester

Paul Cornoyer (1864–1923), Studio at East Gloucester
via Wikipedia

I'd never heard of Paul Cornoyer until seeing him featured at Lines and Colors. He's got a style that grabbed me right away though. Check out the Lines and Colors post for more links and samples of this artist's work.

Worth a Thousand Words: Waiting

Waiting (c.1879-1882). Edgar Degas
via Books and Art

I look at this and think, "I've had days like that."

Fortunately, not lately. They don't look as if they were merely waiting but tired, beat-down, worn out. Of course, this is simply my interpretation which is the great thing about art. It can speak to us all differently. You may not see that same feeling there. Maybe I get it from the leaning forward. It could just be a very uncomfortable bench.

I also wonder what they are thinking. These days both of them would be very busy with cell phones, music, and whatnot. I myself would probably be reading a book instead of tracing lines with the end of my umbrella. (Hey, that's what she's doing. If you don't see it, then ... well, I said it above. Degas put something else there for you. Isn't it great?)

Worth a Thousand Words: Cosette

Portrait of "Cosette" by Émile Bayard,
from the original edition of Les Misérables (1862).
Via Wikipedia

I have begun reading Les Miserables. Inspired by yesterday's portrait of Tolstoy, I went looking for portraits of Victor Hugo and found this along the way. I was so surprised to see that what I thought was a modern image of Cosette actually had been with the novel from the beginning. As Wikipedia tells us:

French illustrator Émile Bayard drew the sketch of Cosette for the first edition, and this engraving was prepared for an 1886 edition. The image has become emblematic of the entire story, being used in promotional art for various versions of the musical.