Unpacking the Impressionists
Last night I woke up way too early, at 5 a.m. and ended up watching TV. PBS was broadcasting a program that dramatized the lives of the impressionists. It was like the O.C. except about 19th century French painters. Cezanne was a miserable wretch who never sold any paintings and had impregnated his peasant model and had a son whom he kept secret from his father who was forever badgering him about getting a real job.
Cezanne: But, Papa, I am redefining the relationship between color and form! Papa: Zut! Does it pay well?
Monet was embroiled in an affair with a married woman who refused to divorce her husband for Catholic reasons. Manet was dying of something throughout the episode and finally croaked. The most outstanding aspect of the show was the various artists' looks and cool facial hair. The young Monet had a long, wild goatee and then grew and enormous bushy white beard. Renoir had John Lennon- style round dark glassses; Cezanne had a Gen-X scruffy beard and wore wild hats and berets.
Oh, and there were a few paintings tossed in for good measure.
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P.S. Apparently it's for sale on DVD here.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Crazy- get some sleep...you have to work tomorrow! YW
Posted by: patricia gregory aka awestruck mrs. | April 29, 2007 02:47 PM
Oh, the late 1800s when experimental facial hair was all the rage. It was time to move beyond "mutton chops" and into uncharted waters...
Posted by: Rachel Rhodes | April 29, 2007 02:53 PM
But is is true that all artists have to suffer so? I ask this in my own life every day. Trying times never seem to end, and while it produces art, does it have to be at such a cost? Perhaps like many, I feel like the black sheep in my family, and it doesn't help that I often wear black. Went to a baptism today and had to leave before the party because I felt like such a stranger in a strange land. Who are these people who seem to enjoy things so effortlessly? Who are these darling innocent babies who've arrived on this earth, only to have their hearts broken eventually? There was such joy and hope there today, but all I could do was cry and leave.
And yet I know many of the people there suffer, too. I know their stories, but they hide behind smiles and hopes for a better life for the next generation.
It's a strange world today. Perhaps tomorrow or next week will be different, but today is a difficult day. Is it my brain chemistry? Or do I just see things differently, like so many artists? I can't bear false fronts, it seems, most assuredly my own. So I left.
Onward and upward.
Posted by: Mary Ann | April 29, 2007 04:45 PM
Hilarious! Random sleep cycles totally suck!! but sometimes they are put to good uses ;-)
Posted by: virginia wieringa | April 29, 2007 07:09 PM
loev this blog entry... the text as well as the illustration!
Posted by: ksklein | April 29, 2007 07:51 PM
If that doesn't get people interested in art history, I don't know what will. (all while propagating the myth of the starving, tortured artist. yay.)
Posted by: Claire | May 1, 2007 01:49 PM
A great review; really made me laugh! Artists have wonderful reputationfor normalcy, don't they? =8-)
Posted by: martha | May 3, 2007 05:53 PM
Aaah, I know this series it was first aired on the BBC last year... fabulous, I never thought I'd find Monet so attractive. Always loved art history, but you can't be a tv series to help make it real!
Posted by: Tracey | May 7, 2007 05:40 AM
Are you inspired to grow a beard?
Posted by: John | May 10, 2007 05:25 PM
I kept wondering how he didn't get paint in that big white beard. Too bad they didn't work that into the movie.
Posted by: DMAYSER | May 12, 2007 02:43 PM
Nothing like coming home and enjoying the return to routine! Love your work Danny; you have been quite a source of inspiration to me over the last 2 years or so.
And I'm afraid you've been tagged! You'll need to visit me, in order to play along, and I hope you do join in, for a bit of fun!
MD at www.doodleaddict.blogspot.com
Posted by: Marie-Dom | May 12, 2007 04:22 PM
i hope you never wake up during nights :D
Posted by: CaSiteCenter | June 1, 2007 03:32 AM