Suzanne C. Ouellette
  • Welcome
  • Gallery
    • Still Lifes
    • Portraits
    • Works on Paper
    • Most Recent Works
  • Résumé
    • About the Artist
    • Artist CV
    • Publications
    • Course Descriptions
    • Academic CV
  • Musings
  • Contact

A Painter Never Paints Alone: An Image

2/5/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture
    For me, this photograph offers a delightful way to make the point that the painter always has plenty of company at the easel.  A painter may be physically alone in the studio, but many other painters are right there with her, in spirit, as she works. 

    Here is the story of the picture and the painting.  It gets a bit complicated, so stay with me.

    As I was gathering photographs for my new website, I was especially drawn to this one of GAP. (on the left) and me.  It was taken during an extended stay in Paris in the summer of 2009, an important month in my transition from teaching psychology in the university to fulltime painting.  GAP. is an internationally recognized artist now working and living in Paris.  Getting to know her and seeing her wonderful work and her studio were art experiences in Paris as important as all those visits to the Louvre.  GAP. was a vital link to my new community. 


     In the photograph, GAP. and I are standing in front of one of her large paintings: Empreintes claustra & Claus/Le Balcon de Manet, Grand-Palais-Paris-Bruxelles, 1998/99.  In the painting, right above our heads, you see the section of the painting that features an image of a young woman.  That same image appears in a well-known painting by Manet, The Balcony (1868-1869).  No question that GAP., who often uses the museum as her subject matter, is referring to the Manet (you can view the Manet painting that caused quite a stir in its day at www.musee-orsay.fr).  Manet, in turn, is said to have been making reference to Goya.  Although radical, Manet’s painting holds onto tradition as he refers to Goya’s Majas at the Balcony (see the Goya at www.metmuseum.org).  So, we have at least 4 artists in this photograph – Goya, Manet, GAP., and Suzanne.  But wait, there are more. 


    The model for the young woman in Manet’s painting (and thereby, the presence in GAP.’s painting) was Fanny Claus.    Fanny Claus was a violinist; and a friend of Manet and his wife, Suzanne Leenhoff, pianist.  Fanny was also the wife of yet another painter, the impressionist Pierre Prins (1838-1913).  Fanny and Pierre are GAP.'s great-grandparents.  We are up to at least 7 artists, 5 of them painters, some with deep connections, in this photograph taken in a lovely sunny Paris living room

     Certainly, not all painters have GAP.’s direct genetic link to the wonderful tradition of painting, but in many ways we all have the gift of many other painters – past and present -- working with us. 



1 Comment
Rivka
2/8/2011 03:57:26 am

This is so interesting. Just a matter of fact, letting one remember that art is done from the materiel of everyday life- like a reality TV if you may. And what a great way to start your own story. So different from the stereotype tale of the poor, young. talented, ( and male) artist that is struggling to bring out his truth- not less important and fascinating are the painted accounts of simple ways of life.
I loved it.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.


    Author
    To learn more about the artist, click here.

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2022
    December 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    February 2020
    January 2020
    January 2019
    February 2018
    October 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    Categories

    All
    An Artist
    An Artist's Journal
    Ula's Guest Blogs
    Wonderful Quotations

    join our mailing list
    * indicates required
    Close
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.