Monday Morning Museum: Tonalism

Tonalism – America from 1880 to 1910

Tonalism was an artistic style that emerged in the 1880s when American artists began to paint landscape forms with an overall tone of colored atmosphere or mist. Between 1880 and 1915, dark, neutral hues such as gray, brown or blue, often dominated compositions by artists associated with the style. During the late 1890s, American art critics began to use the term "tonal" to describe these works. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to George Inness (see art example below), the other prominent Tonalist is James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

Sunset at Etretat, 1875, by George Inness (1825-1894)

Last Monday’s Art – Symbolism
Next Monday’s Art –

Top of post: “Tonalism” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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Monday Morning Museum: Symbolism

Symbolism – Late Nineteenth Century

Symbolism was a late nineteenth-century art movement of French, Russian and Belgian origin in poetry and other arts. In literature, the style had its beginnings with the publication Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil, 1857) by Charles Baudelaire. The works of Edgar Allan Poe, which Baudelaire admired greatly and translated into French, were a significant influence and the source of many stock tropes and images. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Odilon Redon (see art example below), the art of Symbolism also includes Gustav Moreau and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes

Le Char d’Apollon, circa 1910, by Odilon Redon (1840-1916)

Last Monday’s Art – Surrealism
Next Monday’s Art – Tonalism

Top of post: “Symbolism” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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Monday Morning Museum: Surrealism

Surrealism – Europe from 1924 to the 1950s

Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings. The aim was to "resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality." Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Joan Miró (see art example below), other Surrealists are Max Ernst, Giorgio de Chirico, Jean Arp, Man Ray and René Magritte.

The Gold of the Azure, 1967, by Joan Miró (1893-1983)

This painting show’s Miró’s continued use of the signs and symbols of the forties as an expression of his poetic concept of painting. Stars, planets, the elementary configurations of the ever-present figures (man and woman, the masculine principle and the feminine principle) and on top of them a curving line – probably a bird that reinvents the horizon – all contribute to the definition of this space and offer a new vision of Miró’s cosmology. - Fundación Joan Miró de Barcelona.

Last Monday’s Art – Romanticism
Next Monday’s Art – Symbolism

Top of post: “Surrealism” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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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

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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