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ZenDrag0n · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2001 9:16 pm

Yay I live an hour away, I'll have to go next weekend. I could have gone today if I'd seen this earlier. Oh well, it will still be around.

Duckman2 · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2001 9:50 pm

Yeah if you don't take this opportunity to see this exibit you're a fool you can learn so much from looking at a Sargent painting, plus it's just amazing to marvel at his technical prowess.

spooge demon · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2001 11:35 pm

Personally I agree with Lunatique, go see them, even if you don't like the art. I absolutely love it, but I have no taste or conscience whatsoever

A lot of people look at Sargent as degenerate, the triumph of technique over content. The comedy of painting what is the equivalent of a dude in a Porsche with a lot of money in the style of Gainsbough is something to be seen. Everything evil about the 19th is nicely documented in his Sargent�s body of work.

Lunatique · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2001 5:49 pm

Haha, Spooge. Would YOU paint a rich dude in his Porche in the style of Gainsborough for a big check with lots of zeros trailing behind another number?

Hell, I would. As long as that's not ALL I paint.

The truth is, Sargent really didn't like painting all the rich people. He even refused to paint any more formal oil portraits in his later years, except for the odd charcoal drawings. For the last fifteen years of his life, he traveled everywhere and painted mostly watercolor landscapes and other more experiemental works. Also, don't forget his Boston Library murals.

I know what you mean about technique over content, but personally, I really love the portraits of his family and friends. Those paintings to me showed the affection and tenderness Sargent felt for the people he loved. The vibe is very different from his commissioned portraits. Also, his paintings that showed his love for Italian scenes and other exotic settings and cultures that fascinated him really showed that he didn't do everything just for money.

I mean, really. Just about ALL of us work for a company or does contract work. We ALL make a living doing art. I don't see why Sargent has to be criticized for it. There were painters around that time that were far more hideous in their "commercialism" than Sargent.

Well, love him or hate him, you can't deny him.

The man RAWKED.

Hey Craig, what did you do exactly on the FF movie anyways? Digital matt painting? Man, I can't wait to see that puppy. I'm looking forward to that even more than LOR!

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