Sunday, April 4, 2010

Art as always been for me an expression of the human condition

From the profound to the absurd. Here Landseer shows us heart and wit with no more than subject and talent.
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Attachment by Sir Edwin Landseer

John Gay's poem: Monkey Who Had Seen The World says well the very same idea only the painting for me says it better. Tell me if you agree.

The Monkey Who Had Seen The World by Landseer

John Gay's poem: Monkey Who Had Seen The World

A monkey, to reform the times,Resolved to visit foreign climes;For therefore toilsomely we roamTo bring politer manners home.Misfortunes serve to make us wise:Poor pug was caught, and made a prize;Sold was he, and by happy doomBought to cheer up a lady's gloom.Proud as a lover of his chainsHis way he wins, his post maintains--He twirled her knots and cracked her fan,Like any other gentleman.When jests grew dull he showed his wit,And many a lounger hit with it.When he had fully stored his mind--As Orpheus once for human kind,--So he away would homewards steal,To civilize the monkey weal.

The hirsute sylvans round him pressed,Astonished to behold him dressed.They praise his sleeve and coat, and hailHis dapper periwig and tail;His powdered back, like snow, admired,And all his shoulder-knot desired.

"Now mark and learn: from foreign skiesI come, to make a people wise.Weigh your own worth, assert your place,--The next in rank to human race.In cities long I passed my days,Conversed with man and learnt his ways;Their dress and courtly manners see--Reform your state and be like me.

"Ye who to thrive in flattery deal,Must learn your passions to conceal;And likewise to regard your friendsAs creatures sent to serve your ends.Be prompt to lie: there is no witIn telling truth, to lose by it.And knock down worth, bespatter merit:Don't stint--all will your scandal credit.Be bumptious, bully, swear, and fight--And all will own the man polite."

He grinned and bowed. With muttering jawsHis pugnosed brothers grinned applause,And, fond to copy human ways,Practise new mischiefs all their days.

He grinned and bowed. With muttering jawsHis pugnosed brothers grinned applause,And, fond to copy human ways,Practise new mischiefs all their days.

My love, my care,
Simone

10 comments:

  1. An interesting painter, Landseer. He produced vast amounts of rather sentimental animal paintings for an avaricious Victorian collectorate. It was claimed that he could paint with both hands at the same time. One hand would paint the head, whilst the other worked on the tail. Hmmm.

    Bisou, Cro.

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  2. Oh, that Gianni Strino painting on your sidebar has taken my breath away...such gorgeousness!

    Hope you having a fabulous Easter!

    Cheers: Evi

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  3. Not so sure about his paintings, not my usual style.
    But happy Easter Simone :)

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  4. this is very inspiring...
    Please feel Loved. For you are.

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  5. I always sigh with pleasure when I visit your blog, dear Simone. Your way of seeing the world makes me glad to have found a kindred spirit. Perhaps we could live in an ochre glade, searching for monkeys, and contemplating how best to see the world. Love, Meg

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  6. love the first picture...


    love is in the air...

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  7. your blog is so lovely. you have such a great eye for art.

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  8. "A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament."
    Oscar Wilde

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  9. Though I enjoyed the poem, I have to agree, the painting tells a better story. You never fail to enchant, Simone!

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  10. Too much bloody wall-paper Simone, though very pretty wall-paper indeed.

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