Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass (1888)

Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass (1888)
One of my favorite still life subjects of Van Gogh, the cut branch in a glass, I ran across this one with the book behind creating a complicated compositional element. Note also the use of complementary colors, red and green, creating a vibration in the painting.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Pierre-Auguste Cot

Happy Birthday Pierre Auguste Cot!! Born today in 1837, this popular French painter painted in the Academic Classical style. He studied in Toulouse and Paris, then made a successful showing at the Salon in 1863. He was married to the daughter of academic sculptor Francisque Duret. His specialty was portraits but two figurative works, perhaps based on Greek mythology, are The Storm (pictured here) and Le Printemps. The paintings exhibit incredible handling of light. His women are delicate, almost ethereal, and his men strong and attentive. Both have been displayed at the Metropolitan Art Museum, The Storm is actually owned by the museum. Unfortunately this artist died at the age of 46 leaving relatively paintings for us to enjoy today.

No comments:

Post a Comment