I usually run with a theme.This week I am taking you with me to our National Art Gallery that is currently showing an exhibition of Paul Gauguin's work. He is not one of my favourite artists. I am also not comfortable with the fact that despite his wife in France he took many teenage brides. However he is not the first or the last.
And the exhibition surprised me. I was aware of his paintings but did not know he was also a ceramicist and sculptor. Settle back with a beverage of your choice and come explore with me.
Temporary murals on the walls going into the gallery. I am going to have to explore this exhibit too. Later.
A self portrait.
On the whole I like his landscapes and his still life paintings more than I do than the work for which he is better known. Just the same I am glad we went.
As usual (and because the exhibition is set up that way) we emerged through the gift shop where I purchased a couple of cards and some book marks which I am happy to send to anyone who would like them. Let me know in the comments if you want one - and tell me which one too please.
And on a very different note. Isn't this a wonderful wine label. Himself says the wine isn't bad either.
I was familiar with Gauguin's work because of the time Van Gogh spent with him. I was NOT familiar with his sculptures or his private life. Very disheartening. I did enjoy seeing his art, most of which I was familiar. Thanks for sharing your trip to the National Gallery of Australia with us today, dear Sue.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: I did know about some of his work but the sculpture and the ceramics (he also did wood carving) surprised me. His private life did not.
DeleteMany of these pieces I had never seen before. I did know of his infidelities. There is something amiss within the male psyche, if you ask me. And I smiled hugely at that wine label!
ReplyDeleteDJan: Entitlement taken to the nth degree. Isn't the wine label great?
DeleteDoes castrado mean what I think it does? All the strength has gone into the wine, presumably.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised the commissioned painting didn't please. He could have been kinder.
If we judged all art by the morals of the artist, we would miss a lot of phenomenal work. It does sometimes affect our appreciation, though.
jabblog: Castrado does indeed mean what you think. Interestingly we do judge some art by the morals of the artist. Rolf Harris's work (also a paedophile) has been removed from that same gallery.
DeleteI used to love Rolf Harris's works and his TV show but now can't remember much at all of what he painted. He did inspire me to give my kids four inch house painting brushes and buckets of water to "paint" the fences with.
DeleteRiver: I am sure that your children had a heap of fun painting the fence.
DeleteI am not a huge fan of his work and certainly not of his private life but over the years I have known male artists (semi-famous) and their proclivity for young girls as "models" gives them unlimited access. One of them whom I got to know well, his second wife never left his studio while he painted nudes, which made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Had his second wife been a model? If so her suspicions may have been based on experience. Like you I am not a big fan of Gauguin, but I am still glad we went to the exhibition.
DeleteI like all the exhibits displayed in your post. I've noticed four nudes (probably the young girls with whim he cheated on his wife).
ReplyDeleteDUTA: I could have featured many more nude young women in this post. His 'brides' (his description) seem to stay with him till they had children after which time they went back to their families.
DeleteI'm not a fan of Gauguin's art either but I like his landscape paintings. That is an unusual artwork for a wine label but certainly memorable.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day
lissa: I like his landscapes too. Neither himself nor I can remember where we found that wine but do smile at the label - which possibly seduced which ever of us bought it.
DeleteI don't know much of his work but I enjoyed the pictures you took.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Thank you.
DeleteMany thanks to you Sue for this tour of the Gauguin exhibit. I had read about his personal life!
ReplyDeleteImpressive wine label!
Some of his works are very beautiful!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Katerinas Blog: Thank you. I like some of his work but not others. Which is fine.
DeleteGauguin isn't one of my favourites, either. I often wonder how artists like him become famous. Not for me to decide, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThe wine label made me laugh! I wonder if that vintage pairs well with prairie oysters? ;-)
Diane Henders: I suppose there is a 'fashion' element in art appreciation as there is in so many other things. I still mourn that Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life time, and much prefer his work to that of his contemporary.
Deletelol, Diane :) I wonder how many people will look up "prairie oysters" now!
Deletejenny_o: Or how many people knew (as I did) what they are despite never having indulged.
DeleteThere are stories in each portrait.
ReplyDeleteTheir postures and expressions are priceless
roentare: And many of those sitters don't look comfortable...
DeleteAdventurous, yes. But after all, his escapade-filled life wasn't all that marvellous, was it?
ReplyDeleteI see him as a hothead. Not necessarily likeable, but with a sense of (in)justice. And not a bad artist.
Wish I could have accompanied you.
The murals' colours look a bit Gauguin'esque, don't they? ;-)
Sean Jeating: I would love to share my city with you - and the art gallery is always worth a visit. You are right about the colours in the mural too.
DeleteI've never liked his art, probably stemming from the ghastly print my step father insisted on having on the lounge room wall.
ReplyDeleteThe commissioned portrait is not flattering but are portraits supposed to be? A certain very rich Australian woman thought they should be.
I usually buy wine by the price and the label and while is a great label in its design, I would pass it by.
Andrew: Which Gauguin print did your step father have? I think it was Oliver Cromwell who wanted to be painted warts and all but most of us would probably like at least some flattery.
DeleteI'm not much of a fan of the work of Paul Gauguin...I guess seeing it up close and personal might change my thinking. At the same time, it would have been interesting viewing his work "up close and personal".
ReplyDeleteKeep warm down there, EC. I hope the week ahead treats you kindly...take good care. My cuddles to Batty and Odie. :)
Lee: It was great to see up close and personal and as I said I liked some of his landscapes. Over all I am not a convert though. We have sunshine today and are expected to reach double figure temperatures. Which is a change.
DeleteNot a fan of Gauguin, but what a lot of his work I've never seen! Thank you for the tour.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: It seems that quite a lot of us are not fans. Which is interesting.
DeleteI've probably heard the name Paul Gauguin over the years. But I went to Google images and didn't recognize anything.
ReplyDeleteMike: You surprise me. I think I was first introduced to his work while I was at school.
DeleteRiver Fairchild - The head sculpture is familiar to me but I didn’t realize it was his. It’s hard to disassociate the personal life from the public life or works of said person. Actors and politicians being my biggest case in point.
ReplyDeleteI’m a big fan of fun and unique labels. I don’t drink wine but I’ve seen some great ones in the beautiful or humorous categories.
Thanks for taking me along on your journey. I so appreciate the effort you put into our weekly sojourns, both near and far.
Take care of yourself and I hope the week ahead is kind to you. Gentle hugs and healing thoughts.
River Fairchild: It is hard to separate the personal from the creativity, but they are all part of the whole. Mind you some people's work is irretrievably tainted by the personal for me.
DeleteLike books we probably shouldn't judge a wine by its cover - but we do.
I have a busy week coming up (including a couple of vaccinations) and physio. I will be glad to see the back of it - and hope your heat is easing. Hugs.
I plan to go to this exhibition so thank you for your preview.
ReplyDeleteI did read in a review of this exhibition that it is Gauguin's images of the Pacific and its peoples that have permeated the global imagination. And further, that Gauguin's personal complexities are far less significant than his "celebratory vision of Polynesian life."
Interesting to have a look...
Sue: I hope you enjoy it. I didn't know anything about his work other than the Pacific paintings - and preferred the others. I liked some of his ceramics too. I do love the National Gallery.
DeleteI love the wine label :)
ReplyDeleteThe paintings are okay, though I'm not a fan of nudes, but none are anything I'd want on my walls. I don't need any bookmarks either, I have about three dozen that I made myself.
I really like the first two very colourful panels.
River: I didn't lust after any of his work either. Some nudes are beautiful, but I really don't much like his.
DeleteWhere did my comment go?
ReplyDeleteRiver: To the spam folder.
DeleteThanks for sharing the exhibit with us.
ReplyDeleteThat wine label is the best I have ever seen!
Anne in the kitchen: I thought the label was good too.
DeleteI've just read a bit more about the painter, 10 children, 5 with his wife. Not a fan of his artwork either, however, good to see it.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: Someone must really like his work - but I haven't found anyone here who does. I wonder whether he supported his children with his wife while he was busy having more?
DeleteSome of it is good to see. I keep thinking of Anthony Quinn's portrayal of him in that Kirk Douglas movie about van Gogh.
ReplyDeleteBill: I haven't seen the movie - and I much prefer Van Gogh's work to that of Paul Gauguin.
DeleteAn interesting exhibit and discussion. Wishing you a good week.
ReplyDeletee; Thank you. I hope that you and Mercy have a good and calm week too.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your visit. I was also unaware of his sculpture and ceramics. Also not a fan, but I like his use of colour. It is difficult to separate the art from the life of the artist and it certainly can change our view of the person behind the art and to a certain extent, the art itself. Eric Gill, for one of many - I like his clean lines but his private life...in my view, he should have been locked up. However, it is often the families who have to take the flak. It is easy to judge.
The temporary murals look really interesting.
Have a colourful and happy week.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I hadn't heard of Eric Gill and looked him up. Indeed he should have been punished - as his daughters were and still are.
DeleteI am interested to note that so many of us are not Gauguin fans. Some of his work is interesting but it doesn't speak to my heart.
Wine art and name fit each other perfectly.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: They do don't they?
DeleteThank you for sharing. It is interesting to see the work of one so famous even though you may not like the work all that much! Thank you for sharing, EC. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: It was interesting and I discovered that I did like some of his work that I had not previously seen. You have a great week too.
DeleteHello, Sue:
ReplyDeleteI think that we often need to separate the art from the artist, and one may approve of one and not the other. The wine label is fabulous and I wish I could taste the wine! As for the bookmarks, you surely know my answer before you ask the question! Let others have first pick and I will gratefully accept the one that languishes alone. You are eternally kind the way you do this time after time. David xo
David M. Gascoigne: Sometimes it is hard to separate the artist from his work. I will happily send you (and Miriam?) a book mark. So far you are the only taker so I will wait until the end of this week.
DeleteI mich prefer proper pictures of something rather than abstract stuff.
ReplyDelete:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: I am often (but not always) with you on that front.
DeleteI am more familiar with his Tahitian paintings. Interesting that he sculpted, too. His quarrel with van Gogh led to van Gogh severing his ear.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: I knew nothing about his ceramics, his sculpture or his wood carving. And like his earlier paintings more than the Tahitian ones I was familiar with.
DeleteThat wine label made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of Gaugin's art, only things like the blue woman seen from behind Picture #6). I knew about his family life as his wife Mette, a Dane, stayed in Copenhagen when he went to Tahiti - so yes, he was still married, but not living with his wife any longer. They have several descendants still living around here.
I am severely against judging art by the artists' morals or lack of same, because the world would be a very uninteresting place if we held all former artists to our standards, and where would this stop? Inventions, books, laws ... ?
Charlotte (MotherOwl): Thank you for adding to the story. I didn't know that his wife was Danish. I try hard to look at the work and the artist separately and not judge by today's or my standards but sometimes I struggle.
DeleteAwesome artwork. I have been writing about paintings recently and one of the paintings with two Tahitian women sitting on a beach I included in one of my posts. I hope you have a great new week,
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: What a coincidence that we both featured his work so recently.
DeleteI'm like you and much prefer his landscapes and still lifes.
ReplyDeleteKaren Jones Gowan: I like some of his earlier portraits too.
DeleteHe's not my favorite, either, although I do admit his works are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThat label certainly left me with a smile.
messymimi: I like some of his work and really don't like others. He was a talented man though.
DeleteVery interesting post. Not my fav either, but interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: He must be someone's favourite artist but not it seems, any of my visitors. Thanks for your visit.
DeleteI have heard of the guy but didn't know about his private life. The nudes on the beach make an interesting painting.
ReplyDeleteIn general I'm a peasant who is more interested in wine labels and murals. If I drank wine, I'd buy it for the label. That one is quite witty
kylie: Any label that makes me smile is a winner. And I suspect that for Gauguin nudes on the beach were a definite win.
DeleteHi EC - I did know he experimented with ceramics and sculpting, also I'd visited an exhibition of his in 2010 at the Tate Modern with a friend - I never got to write about it - I'm sure the guides etc will be here somewhere ... interesting man; I hope you do another report back on your exhibition - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAlso I forgot … if no-one asks for the third card – that one I'd love. While the wine label – looks lots of fun – love it and I'm sure I'd have loved to have shared a glass with himself!
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: No-one has yet asked for any of the cards. Which is your preference? Or did you mean a bookmark.
DeleteI didn't know about the sculptures and the ceramics (let alone the woodcarving) before I went to the exhibition. That in itself made it a win.
I can't remember the last time I went to view art. It's been over 10 years. We used to go fairly regularly. I always enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Our National Gallery is a beauty and we quite often visit it - not only for the block buster exhibition but just to explore. We should visit more often - which I remind myself each time we go. We will be back in October (if not before).
DeleteI also like his still life work best.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, EC. So nice of you to offer the cards too. (I'm going to pass, but appreciate the offer.)
Rawknrobyn: Thank you. Are you sure you wouldn't like a card?
DeleteThank you for sharing this exhibit. I don't know much about Gauguin, and only remember one or two famous pieces. The murals are very striking. I often stop in the gift shop and usually pick up a couple of cards of famous artists. They are nice to have as a souvenired.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. We often pick up a fridge magnet too - but didn't this time. I have a fine 'stash' of cards from the gallery which I can sometimes bring myself to send to people.
DeleteI have to admit I don''t know much about art. If I like what I see then I find it pleases me.
ReplyDeleteRomance Reader: I know snippets about art and artists. Like so many other areas it is a learning experience for me each time I go to the gallery - and I almost always find works I love.
DeleteWell, I now know more about Paul Gauguin and his work, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I do hope my luke warm opinions about him and his work didn't put you off.
DeleteLike the third last one. The one where both are sitting in a pensive mood.
ReplyDeleteJoe Zach: Welcome and thank you. I find myself wondering what they are thinking.
DeleteI'm not a fan of either his paintings or his private life. More particularly for how he behaved with Vincent van Gogh.
ReplyDeleteThough I have to say, most men of that time took multiple partners, creative people probably more so. Women's rights/feelings were not top of their agenda for sure.
Nevertheless, I'd totally check out an exhibition if it happened near me. His landscape/still lifes I find less off putting than his people paintings. Thanks for showing me artworks that I'd never get to see otherwise.
Nilanjana Bose: We are of like minds here. Which is not unusual.
DeleteSome very fine work!
ReplyDeleteCaterina: Most of it is not to my taste, but I was glad to have seen it.
DeleteI love looking at art work. These are great pictures!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Post: Welcome and thank you.
DeleteThose beautiful painting build a great imagination. I like realis and surealis painting...Thanks for your sharing. This is a great exhibition..Have a nice day ^^
ReplyDeleteMbul Kecil: I am appreciative of so many styles of painting. You have a wonderful day too.
DeleteA fabulous design selection of paintings
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Our national gallery does have some wonderful exhibitions. I am so grateful to have it nearby.
DeleteThat label is a hoot and well done.
ReplyDeleteSome of Gauguin's work I like. Some I'm okay with. So glad you had the opportunity to visit the gallery and see it first hand. Gallery's are a lovely outing, aren't they?
Take special care. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: The wine label is great isn't it? I do love gallery visits - and we should really go more often. You have a great week dear friend.
DeleteGreat share. Enjoyed all of them, but especially liked the still art.
ReplyDeleteSandy: I like some of his art and not others. I agree about the still lives though. And some of his landscapes.
DeleteWonderful collection
ReplyDeleteashok: Thank you.
DeleteHope you have a weekend filled with birds, flowers, and joy.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
It’s great to see the Sunday Selections meme continue and evolve. The Paul Gauguin exhibition sounds intriguing, especially with the revelation of his work beyond painting. Thanks for sharing this glimpse into his broader artistic contributions. READ MY NEW BLOG POST> THANK YOU>
ReplyDeleteMELODY JACOB: Thank you. It was an eye opener to me just how many artistic genres he had under his belt.
DeleteI love art. And I love visiting you here.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
rsrue: Thank you.
DeleteI know so little about art or artists, it is shameful. Thank you for showing us some of this artist's work. It does sound like he had an eye for (young) ladies, but I think one has to try to keep the person and the art separate, at least to a point. Otherwise we'd have precious little art or music to enjoy :)
ReplyDeletejenny_o: I struggle keeping the art and the artist separate, but know that I need to. Mind you I am not a fan of much of Gauguin's work and still less of his behaviour despite it being unexceptional (his behaviour) for the time.
DeleteI wish I had seen this post earlier instead of caught up with work (what happened to retirement?). When I grew up we had a big print of Gauguin's "Ta Matete" hanging in our living room. That pretty much started my love for his paintings, especially the Tahiti ones. I'm not interested in him as a person, to be honest, because I sure wouldn't have liked him, but his art I love.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: I am thrilled that someone who loves his work has appeared. I knew there had to be someone out there who did. I struggle to separate the art and the artist quite often, but that (in this case) isn't why his work doesn't really speak to me. I can appreciate it, but don't feel it if that makes sense.
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