Thoughts on Impressionism

I personally am fond of the Impressionist style, and particularly the paintings of nature. I appreciate the vibrant colors and loose brush strokes characteristic of the Impressionist style and their almost-optical-illusion effect. I’m always impressed with painters who can portray water and glass effectively, though in this case water is the main focus. Claude Monet was brilliant at painting water and his Water lilies at Giverny collection is an absolutely stunning example of this. The paintings (they are numerous) were done at his private garden in Giverny, France, and depict various sense of the lily pond there. When you look at the paintings up close they appear simply as smudges of color; however, when you step back you see a beautiful pond. By using such loose brush strokes and abundant color Monet captures the life and spirit of water so profoundly. And while it doesn’t appear as a photographic representation of water it feels like water.

Monet: Water Lilies (1914)

Monet: Water Lilies (The Clouds) (1903)

I also enjoy the pleasant subject matter of Impressionism. Its focus on moments and enjoyable activities makes it easier to understand and relaxing. One of my favorite pieces of Impressionist art that exemplifies this is Renoir’s Dance at Bougival (1883 presumably in Bougival, France). This is such a contrast to previous art styles which tended to focus on more serious and dramatic subject matter such as religious doctrine and classical history, and utilized symbolisms frequently, as for example in Botticelli’s Primavera (1480/82 Florence).

Renoir: Dance at Bougival (1883)

Botticelli: Primavera (1480/82)

I tend to link Romanticism and Impressionism in my mind because of the expression of light in the nature paintings and the moment captured within in them as well. For example, look at Thomas Cole’s View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm (1836 USA) and Monet’s Sunset at Lavacourt (1880, France) side by side. Although the techniques used in the two are very different, both emphasize a moment in natural phenomena and use light variation to emphasize it.

Thomas Cole: View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm (1836)

Monet: Sunset at Lavacourt (1880)

Ultimately I like Impressionism, although I don’t necessarily favor it above other artistic styles.

Classical Opera

Orfeo ed Euridice (Orpheus and Eurydice), first performed in Vienna, 1762, is one of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s most popular operas and the first in a series of “reform” operas that Gluck composed.

The opera concerns the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus, the protagonist, is horribly grieved over the loss of his beloved wife Eurydice. Cupid allows him to journey to the Underworld to retrieve her under the condition that he not look upon her until they have returned to the living earth. Eurydice, who cannot get Orpheus to look at her, is convinced that her husband no longer loves her and elects to stay behind in the Underworld, deciding death is preferable. Orpheus is moved to look at his wife who immediately dies again; he is than convinced that he must kill himself in order to be with Eurydice. Cupid is moved by Orpheus’ love, however, and stops him in addition to returning Eurydice to life.

Gluck’s “reform” operas were meant to reform the rather complicated opera seria style. His operas had significantly simpler plots and musical compositions, making them easier to understand and follow along with. He eliminated confusing subplots and shortened musical pieces. Orfeo ed Euridice expresses a significant connection to the rise of the middle class during the Classical era. While the reforms to the opera seria style expressed in Orfeo ed Euridice would have had a broader public appeal (the middle class demanded opera that they could understand and become involved in), it’s more significant connection to the rise of the middle class is the influence it had on other important composers of the Classical era, such as Mozart and Wagner (Orfeo ed Euridice). Gluck’s “reform” operas inspired other composers to develop more simplified musical compositions and to create the musical pieces that characterize the Classical era and symbolized the rise of the middle class.

The following is a clip of Orpheus’ aria “Che faro senza Euridice?” (“What I will do without Euridice?”) from the third act, wherein Orpheus contemplates his existence without Eurydice and decides to commit suicide. It is commonly sung by women, I should note. This is a particularly beautiful aria, I think. It is simple and short but also very moving. I am fond of this opera for several reasons. The story is interesting and indeed easy to follow along with, even if you don’t speak Italian. There is also considerably more ballet in this opera—another feature of Gluck’s reform efforts—and shorter pieces, which makes the opera more recognizable. The singing talents are also quite amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bUAM0ER-Dw

References:
Orfeo ed Euridice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orfeo_ed_Euridice

Baroque Era Art

Girl with a Pearl Earring was painted by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer circa 1665, presumably in Delft. Apart from being a magnificent specimen of Baroque art in terms of composition, style and subject matter, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is also a wonderful representation of the rise of the merchant class in Holland—and Europe in general. The Baroque ear witnessed a remarkable ascension of the middle/merchant class of Europe. Trade flourished and money poured into the pockets of the merchant public. Eastern furnished products became popular in Holland and all over Europe (Grisham). Silks and Eastern fashion increased in popularity and became integrated into European mode (Janson). This trend is evident in Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring; the young woman depicted is wearing an Eastern style turban in addition to her customary Dutch dress. She has integrated the two cultural styles, prominent of the Baroque ear; a practice made possible by the rise of the merchant class (“Jan Vermeer.”).

I’m particularly fond of this painting because it is incredibly lively and expressive, while at the same time a bit subdued and very calming. Vermeer was very successful—in my opinion—in portraying action in Girl with a Pearl Earring. Whenever I see this painting I feel as though the young woman depicted has actually just turned to look at me. I’m always very impressed when an artist is able to capture such intimate action in oil paint. Additionally, the woman’s facial features look so real—it blows me away. Her lips and eyes actually look shiny and moist, very life like.

References:

Grisham, Kathleen. “Fast Facts.” Dutch Baroque.
Janson, Jonathan. “The Turban.” The Girl with a Pearl Earring.
“Jan Vermeer.” Dutch Baroque.

Picture:

http://amysbabies.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/vermeer-girl-with-a-pearl-earring1665.jpg (Google image search)