Composition - examples of note

Mike McCarty · 08-19-2006, 10:05 AM

With the following paintings I feel barely competent to remark on their size: This guy could get an awful lot done in a small space.

Each by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema:

1 The promise of Spring 15x9
2 Vain Courtship 30x16
3 Unconscious Rivals 18x25 w/detail

PS: Don't try this at home, this is the work of a highly trained professional - work big!

Mike McCarty · 08-20-2006, 10:39 AM

Gee Ma, I

Mike McCarty · 08-22-2006, 07:00 PM

Here's an article written in Paris regarding Philip Alexius de Laszlo. My notes don't show much more than the quote below, but my recollection is that it was written by a contemporary.

"But do not imagine that fame and success win themselves without effort! In the technique of the kind, the aristocratic or worldly portrait is not easy; quite the opposite, is it not the most difficult one to succeed, since under pains to generate a method, it is necessary for him to discover discreetly the individual character under the picturesque sumptuousness of pomp or the correct uniformity of the distinction? In a ceremonial setting, in an atmosphere of elegance and of courtesy, the angles round off, intimacy blurs or conceals; and, under the peel of varnish, the task becomes more difficult. With his first portraits of high dignitaries and of grandes dames, in the resemblance of a pope and a prime minister, de L

Julie Deane · 08-22-2006, 07:39 PM

This is one tired sitter - slumping in spite of that corset. Poor baby...
But certainly a well done and sensitive portrait - thanks for sharing it.

Oops - the subject is - composition? sorry for getting off topic. The artist uses those folds in the background rather nicely to keep an interesting shape in the middle of the painting and to not let that diagonal line of the body become too distracting.

Mike McCarty · 08-22-2006, 08:38 PM

Thanks for responding Julie.

Unfortunately you didn't make it within the 30 second time limit so the Lexus model LS 30 ought 6 will go back to the dealership.

Do you think that this: Jessie Chaffee 40x30 by Daniel Greene, is an improvement over the Alma-Tadema above?

Julie Deane · 08-23-2006, 11:05 AM

The're both nice. No. 1 has more detail to move the eye around (what ARE those things in the corners? animal skins?).

Mike McCarty · 08-23-2006, 12:03 PM

It's not really a fair question as to whether the D.G. rendition is an improvement. They both have their moments. As to what those hanging things in the background are ... I'm not sure. It may be completely apparent if viewed in person.

Speaking of Daniel Greene - I admire this composition very much: Wendy, 30x20.