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.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Jean Antoine Houdon

Happy Birthday Jean-Antoine Houdon!! Neoclassical sculptor, Houdon, was born in Versailles in 1741. He created an anatomical model that has been used by countless artists since. He sculpted portrait busts of important philosophers, politicians and inventors. His portrait of George Washington was commissioned by Benjamin Franklin. It was sculpted by first creating a clay model and a plaster face cast. These were also later used as models for US postage stamps. He was a professor for the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris. His bust of Washington resides in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.


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