ArtExpertOnLine

          This week we have a truly amazing and dynamic painting.   The artist is Umberto Boccioni (1882 - 1916).  From just this information you maybe able to guess two correct things:  he was Italian and his early death was a result of World War I.  But, his life was interesting and he made a huge impact on Art, especially painting and sculpture. I think it fair to consider him an intellectual.  He spent his short life traveling and studying.   He visited Russia and many of the countries of Europe, gleaning ideas and formulating his theories on art.   His principle contribution is called Futurism.  Futurism is difficult to explain as it involves the deconstruction of solid mass and showing movement, and it was certainly an outgrowth from the work of Picasso and Braque - cubism.         Many years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing an exhibit in Paris which contained many works by Picasso.  I had seen reproductions of his monochromatic collages done mostly in browns and always consider

    This week we are a long way from the streets of Paris, where we were last week.   Our artist is Frederick Remington (1861-1909) who made a career memorializing the American West.  He was an interesting man with a colorful history.  He lived in several areas of our country, but grew up and eventually returned to the East, mainly New York and Connecticut.  I was unable to locate any specific information about the exact location of this painting.   It was done very late in his career (1905) so it is likely he drew from former sketches.   As an artist he dipped into many areas.  During his life his illustrations were published in magazines, but he also wrote novels, and today he is often remembered for his bronze sculptures.       I selected "The Smoke Signal" for this week, because Remington has successfully created a drama, just as Manet did last week.   As captivating as the men and horses are, I am drawn to the landscape on the left side.  Why?  Because every thing is poi

   Our artist for this week is Edouard Manet (1832-1883). He is often listed as a French Impressionist, but he doesn't fit nicely inside that label, and I have read that he personally rejected the idea.   The true Impressionist, such as Claude Monet, painted outdoors and focused on instantly capturing the quality of light striking objects.  This was never Manet's intent. And, Manet used black, Monet never did.  But they did have a lot in common, particularly painting similar subjects such as the couple here:  the beautiful, well dressed people of Paris out enjoying a sunny day.      If I was able to go back and meet just one of the French painters of the 19th century, I think it would be Manet.  Not only is this painting beautifully constructed, but aside from that, he has created such drama!  It is possible to read about who these people were and the location of this setting.  But, why know?  Manet presents us with a scene heavy with intrigue.   Let us insert our own meaning. 

     I was struck by this beautiful image when I first saw it.   If you are a frequent reader, you are aware that composition, the structure of a painting, is most important to me.  And, this week's painting, caught my attention immediately.   Here we have our beautiful subject right down the middle.  The base of the painting is weighed down by the dark brown floor, only to be carried up the left side by the huge piano.  But to keep that space boring, and to start a vertical sweep, Hassam put a large potted plant on the floor.   From the plant our attention pops up to our woman, and then to the objects on the upper right, ending with a corner of an art piece on the wall.  Right through the center is a very subtle rhythm pattern.  It starts inside the piano's right leg, bounces to the back of the chair, legs of the table, and table objects and out.  A strong composition like this, maybe incidental to the casual viewer, but what it does do, is separate the master Artist from the

    This morning I was looking through a group of images to select a painting for this week thinking a review of how artist's treat skin color would be interesting.  This lead me to Marsha Hatcher.  I did a search and came across this painting.   My search gave me little information about Hatcher other than she comes originally from Georgia and now lives in Jacksonville, Florida.  Because she married an army man, she was able to travel the world gaining insight and experience.   I was not able to locate dates on her, but this source wrote that she has been working as a professional artist for over 30 years.    In viewing other works by her, it is possible to see she holds nothing back and works in a large variety of media and technique, but usually 2D painting most often in acrylic.      I love this work!  I find it so powerful. The older sister with hat, earrings and pearls is dressed for a day.  With her lips on her sister's head, and her arms pressing the girl to her, the bo