After that Christmas orgy of William Merritt Chase, I can’t resist adding just a few more paintings by his contemporaries for your viewing pleasure this New Year’s Eve…
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
James Jacques Tissot (1836-1902)
Gustave Leonard de Jonghe (1829-1893)
Edmund Charles Tarbell (1862-1938)
Roberto Fontano (1844-1907)
When I was a child, my mom and I would always play “pick your favorite” about any decorative item, whether it was a painting in a museum or a ballet costume in a performance. So my end of year question: If you could choose 1 painting to own, from this post or any of the others this month (check here, here, here and here), which would it be and why? Please leave me a comment!
Happy New Year all!! Here’s to 2011!!!
The Legion of Honor Museum has a fabulous exhibit of Japanese woodcuts and their influence on the impressionist painters. It is so worth seeing for those of you in the SF Bay Area.
I posted on that exhibition longingly (). Wish I could go!!!
ah… and my favorite is the “Japanese Fan”… the screen is wonderful but the fabric on her gown is what attracts my eye
The brocade seems alive!
I have done the same at museums everywhere–and sometimes the ” favorite thing which would go in my home” is teeny and unassuming, but breathtaking….here my favorite painting would be the Whistler “Caprice in Purple and Gold #2 The Golden Screen”, but the quieter choice for a home is the Wm Merrit Chase “The Japanese Book”. Oh yeah.
Your blog is fun and inspiring. Thanks for doing it–is it like an artist who paints?–does it because she can’t NOT do it?
Paula- You said it exactly right!! I too think I have to pick “Caprice in Purple and Gold” as my absolute favorite, but I think that I am so obsessed with interiors that I cannot get “Hall at Shinnecock” out of my head. That giant mirrored Kas in the background, the blue and white vase in the foreground and the intimate family scene are irresistible for having at home.
Tissot’s “the Fan”, for me…the drape of her sleeves…just something about it. I have always played the same game, “which is your favorite”…
I love how all the elements (the plants, the fabrics) mimic the movement in the fan…
Artist’s Studio- love the color and style
I love the wry commentary in that painting…the artist, his typical “girl in white”, the shelves of porcelain…
My fave is also the Whistler “Caprice” – I love the feeling I get from it. We also play the “favorite” game!
“Caprice” is amazing!!!!!
I’m not sure why I should be so surprised that Whistler’s “Caprice in Purple & Gold” was the favorite of so many. It’s my favorite as well. What can I say. It’s just stunning. The colors, the composition, the subject & especially the komono are fabulous. If only…
I also love Tarbell’s “Cutting Origami” for it’s serenity & perfect composition. It soothes & makes me feel good.
We are thinking alike, as “Cutting Origami” was my other choice besides the “Hall at Shinnecock”!!!
I’m with mom-Cutting Origami-she seems so tranquil and intent on her task
But her facial expression in Language of the fan is a close second…..
I am torn between “The Japanese Fan” and “Cutting Origami”. “The Japanese Fan” is beautiful and bursting with Japanese treasures. But I am also drawn to peacefulness of “Cutting Origami” because the woman appears to be happily deep in her thoughts or maybe just relishing a quiet moment…I am enjoying a quiet moment myself and hoping to get caught up on your blogs. You were busy over the holidays!
It has just occurred to me that no one chose the Van Goghs or the Degas… Kind of surprising actually…
Favorite Painting for 2010. “Spring” C 1889. The light captured on white the flowers ( shakuyaku/peonie?kiku /chrysanthemum) the billowing red kimono also very significant- patriotic, and the composition all sing for me! Also admire the modern quirky pose in the “Japanese Book”.
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