I just came across this thread. I think it's a very, very important subject. As to the history of vignette paintings or drawings, when and where do they appear, by whom...I am, sad to say, totally ignorant (I'm ugly!!)!!. Having read all this, I am now determined to educate myself. But I do know why they are so appealing to me. And I think Allan hit the nail on the head:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Allan Rahbek
About vignettes, it is an act of balance between the part that is finished and the materials used, the paper/canvas and pencil/paint. The vignette shows both stages, both the materials used and the illusion intented.
I think that the most interesting transition is between those two beings. Allan
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It's as if the unfinished parts serve as a gentle reminder to the viewer of the simple, dumb, inert, DEAD materials that are used. And then we see a transition into this wonderful illusion being created that makes it seem that these simple, ordinary materials mysteriously come to LIFE, through the magic hand of the artist. We go back and forth, and are amazed at the skill of the artist. When
everything in a painting is finished, rendered to a high degree of realism, I think that we, as the viewer, buy into the illusion - and stay there. I don't want to say there is anything wrong with this type of painting - I'm sure there are many great examples in the history of painting, where every square inch is lovingly and exquisitely rendered - and they are
great paintings. But, for my money, the most exciting, powerful, and alive paintings, are those where a wonderful illusion is being created AND the surface qualites of paint on canvas are so rich in and of themselves, that something happens...(whether it's a vignette or not) - like Allan said, it's in the interplay of the two ways of seeing - that's where it's happenin.' Sargent comes to mind....
And I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who may be uneducated about art, but who would love a well-executed vignette, without knowing why.
And if you're dealing with a client whose measure of a great work of art is to what degree it looks like a photograph...
I guess after educating ourselves, we just try to pass it on, wherever there is a hearing ear.