Chapter 21

Chapter 21 Living with Art: 7th edition
Comparing and contrasting:

I was intrigued by realism 21.3 Coubet’s The Artists Studio etc. 1855

And Impressionism 21.4 Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass 1863.

The reason is attached to the authors explanation about revolutionary changes in art with these two artworks, and that the artists themselves felt the need to express themselves in the here and now. I love the fact that Courbet sums up his life in the painting by using relationships and people as the objects or symbols of the meaning he wanted to share.
This is the art I think any artist wants to share, their own experience and concerns, and have it relate to the viewers so the viewer thinks and feels something about their own life. Courbet is giving his testimony which is a powerful way to move listeners and viewers. I like this, and just know that I will do something like this someday with the art I will do.

Also, the courage of Manet to paint something that may not be considered the correct way to paint, so that he can paint something meaningful and important to him. I think he was intentional at painting the filmy dressed almost nude women in the background in the center and not in proper perspective, just as he was making the nude woman in front meet the gaze of the viewer in such a shocking (at the time) way. I applaude his courage and integrity to share his truth, even if it meant criticism and possibly loss of income (If memory serves, I believe this is the Manet who lost his wealth later in life and had to sign over his property to family in order to escape his debt).

I love when an artist does something unexpected, and these two examples are also good art as well. There is light and dark to direct our attention to different points, and the realism and accuracy is still there. The paintings are pleasant to look at, and evoke feelings for any viewer with the subject matter taken at face value. Their differences may be in the type of color used, the environment the people in the art are presented in, but the focus on people is what really stands out with both artworks.


With Derain, View of Collioure, 1905

And Matisse, The Joy of Life, 1905-06,

We get to see the artists express themselves, expressionism and free themselves again from the establishment and limiting ways they were painting, or their predecessors. I do love the vibrant colors of both artworks, and the joy they express. I enjoy the way the trees and grass play together in one, just as the people love and play together in the other. The short strokes of the one, I would not really want to do myself, as it looks like a lot of work. But the simplicity of it, the freedom with it, might be exactly what I should try to do to see if my drawings made more sense. The Joy of Life is cartoonish for me in some ways, but I do see the complexity of shapes and perspectives that are not so easily produced.
There are plants and grass in forefront that I think are done well for this scene, especially how the artist makes them succumb to the playful human feet that are enjoying their feel. Happiness is expressed well, for both paintings evoke a feeling of smiling and a feeling of invitation.