Monday Morning Museum: Romanticism

Romanticism – Late Eighteenth Century to Mid-Nineteenth Century

Romanticism (also the Romantic era or the Romantic period) was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1850. Partly a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, it was also a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Caspar David Friedrich (see art example below), Romanticism is also practiced by John Constable, Joseph Mallord William Turner and William Blake.

The Wanderer Above the Mists, circa 1816-1818, by Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840)

“…represent the loneliness of the modern subject placed in a majestic landscape, as well as the failure of man in a hostile natural environment. In Friedrich's oeuvre landscape is imbued with an existential meaning, it becomes a metaphor for human fate.” – Hamburger-Kunsthalle.de

Last Monday’s Art – The Rococo Style
Next Monday’s Art – Surrealism

Top of post: “Romanticism” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Not A Perfect Day As Rocker Lou Reed Takes His Last Walk On The Wild Side

Lou Reed - Monday 2 March 1942 Brooklyn, New York to Sunday 27 October 2013 Southampton, New York

Today guitarist and singer Lewis Allen “Lou” Reed died. A founding member of The Velvet Underground and a solo artist, Lou’s music career spanned fifty years. The only time I saw Lou in concert was on Friday 15 September 2000 at the Cirque Royal in Brussels, Belgium. It was the European Fall leg of his 2000 Ecstasy World Tour. I don’t remember specifics about the concert (though I did sit next to a nice Dutch-speaking man), however, I enjoyed it immensely. Here is the set list for that concert:

Paranoia Key of E - Turn To Me - Modern Dance - Ecstasy - Smaltown - Future Farmers of America - Turning Time Around - Romeo Had Juliette - White Prism - Rock Minuet - Mystic Child - Tatters - Set the Twilight Reeling - Baton Rouge - Busload of Faith - Dirty Blvd. - Sweet Jane - Perfect Day - loureed.es/live2000.htm

The one Lou Reed song that I’ve heard most often is “Sweet Jane”. Why that particular song you ask? Well, when I lived in Worcester, Massachusetts, I had friends who published a literary magazine called The Apple. And to support the magazine, “Apple” parties were held. They were lots of fun – food, beverages, dancing and a live band. I’ve forgotten the name of the band, but the leader was a guy named Donny and the parties always ended with his rendition and unique performance of Lou’s “Sweet Jane”. Since I went to “Apple” parties often, I heard “Sweet Jane” often. A most enjoyable memory! So in tribute to Lou Reed and to a blast from the past, I present “Sweet Jane”. Lou, I’m sure all your days are perfect wherever you are. Rock on Reed!



Top of post: Front of my personal Ecstasy Tour t-shirt

Monday Morning Museum: The Rococo Style

The Rococo Style – Europe from 1715 to 1774

Rococo (/rəˈkoʊkoʊ/ or /roʊkəˈkoʊ/), less commonly roccoco, also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century artistic movement and style, which affected several aspects of the arts including painting, sculpture, architecture, interior design, decoration, literature, music and theatre. The Rococo developed in the early part of the 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry and strict regulations of the Baroque, especially that of the Palace of Versailles. In such a way, Rococo artists opted for a more jocular, florid and graceful approach to Baroque art and architecture. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Jean-Honoré Fragonard (see art example below), other Rococo artists are François Boucher, Jean-Antoine Watteau and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

The Swing, 1767, by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806)

The Swing is Fragonard's best-known painting, encapsulating for many the finesse, humour and joie de vivre of the Rococo. No other work better demonstrates his ability to combine erotic licence with a visionary feeling for nature. According to the poet Collé, the history painter Doyen was commissioned by an unnamed ‘gentleman of the Court’ to paint his young mistress on a swing, pushed by a bishop with himself admiring her legs from below. Fragonard, who became well-known for his erotic genre-pictures, proved better suited to paint the work, in which the impudent reference to the church has been omitted, leaving the girl as the main focus, delicious in her froth of pink silk, poised mid-air tantalizingly beyond the reach of both her elderly seated admirer and her excited young lover. – Wallace Collection.org

Last Monday’s Art – The Northern Renaissance
Next Monday’s Art – Romanticism

Top of post: “The Rococo Style” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Acknowledgements From Crooked Numbers By Tim O'Mara

I'm mentioned in one section of Tim's Acknowledgements in his new mystery Crooked Numbers which was released today. Especially very cool to be included with Otto Penzler! Here's what Tim wrote:

"Some of the nicest and most knowledgeable folks in the business can be found working in the independent bookstores. To name a few, I am so glad the following had this new guy's back: Scott Montgomery of Mystery People in Austin, Texas; Adrean Darce Brent of Mysterious Galaxy stores in southern California; Jamie and Robin Agnew of Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Jonah and Ellen Zimilies of [words] in Maplewood, New Jersey; Loren Aliperti of Book Revue in Huntington, New York; Otto Penzler and his staff at the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan; and Jenn Worthington of Word in glorious Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Support your local indie bookseller!"

Monday Morning Museum: The Northern Renaissance

The Northern Renaissance - Germany and the Netherlands in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries

The Northern Renaissance is the Renaissance that occurred in the European countries north of Italy. Before 1497 Italian Renaissance humanism had little influence outside Italy. From the late 15th century the ideas spread around Europe. This influenced the German Renaissance, French Renaissance, English Renaissance, Renaissance in the Low Countries, Polish Renaissance and other national and localized movements, each with different characteristics and strengths. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Jan van Eyck (see art example below), other artists of the Northern Renaissance are Robert Campin, Rogier van der Weyden, Albrecht Dürer, Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel and Hans Holbein.

The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434, by Jan van Eyck (circa 1395-1441)

This work is a portrait of Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife, but is not intended as a record of their wedding. His wife is not pregnant, as is often thought, but holding up her full-skirted dress in the contemporary fashion. Arnolfini was a member of a merchant family from Lucca living in Bruges. The couple are shown in a well-appointed interior.

The ornate Latin signature translates as 'Jan van Eyck was here 1434'. The similarity to modern graffiti is not accidental. Van Eyck often inscribed his pictures in a witty way. The mirror reflects two figures in the doorway. One may be the painter himself. Arnolfini raises his right hand as he faces them, perhaps as a greeting.

Van Eyck was intensely interested in the effects of light: oil paint allowed him to depict it with great subtlety in this picture, notably on the gleaming brass chandelier. – The National Gallery, London

Last Monday’s Art – The Renaissance
Next Monday’s Art – The Rococo Style

Top of post: “The Northern Renaissance” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

David Kusinitz – Friday 3 July 1953 To Tuesday 9 October 2012

Recently I read in a Clark University publication that a year ago today a college friend died. For me, Tuesday 9 October 2012 was a typical day of working, problem solving and reading. However, for my friend David, it was the last day of his all-too-short life. Not sure how I first met David, but most likely at a social function rather than in a class (we had different majors). We became members of a group of friends and eventually some of the friends (David included) ended up sharing an off-campus apartment. I used to tease David about his watching wrestling on Saturdays. You know, the type of wrestling with the outrageously costumed participants, usually representations of good versus evil, and good always won of course. It simply amused and bewildered me that an intelligent man would enjoy such fakery. And intelligent (double major) David was, as well as funny and kind.

As is still common, even in this social media pervasive time, we lost touch over the years. The last time I saw David was on a trip to Chicago to see him, his then girlfriend Joanne and his future wife Ann. It was a fun week of visiting the Sears Tower and the Art Institute; socializing at a local bar and Halloween party; and hanging out at the apartment and with some of their friends. David and I talked – probably a little about the past and a lot about the future – the usual conversations friends have. Although I don’t remember what was spoken, I do know there was laughter throughout the words.

Below are a few photos from our time in college. This is how I remember David and will continue to remember him. Yes, remember you I will David, my long ago friend.

大衛

"David" as written in traditional Chinese

David at his dorm room desk. © An Adrean Darce Brent Image

David talking to Ann and pointing at me! Ha-ha, so much for a candid shot.

© An Adrean Darce Brent Image

David, you’re looking stylish in your Dashiki.

© An Adrean Darce Brent Image

David and Joanne on the lawn at Tanglewood, enjoying the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

© An Adrean Darce Brent Image

“David Kusinitz” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: The Renaissance

The Renaissance – Italy in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth centuries

The Renaissance (UK /rɨˈneɪsəns/, US /ˈrɛnɨsɑːns/, French pronunciation: [ʁənɛsɑ̃s], from French: Renaissance "re-birth", Italian: Rinascimento, from rinascere "to be reborn") was a cultural movement that spanned the period roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. Though availability of paper and the invention of metal movable type sped the dissemination of ideas from the later 15th century, the changes of the Renaissance were not uniformly experienced across Europe. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Raphael Sanzio (see art example below), other Renaissance artists are Sandro Botticelli, Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Leonardo da Vinci.

St. George Fighting the Dragon, 1505 by Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520)

Last Monday’s Art – Realism
Next Monday’s Art – The Northern Renaissance

Top of post: “The Renaissance” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent