I have now begun my senior year in college. Yes, I just turned 48 on Saturday. #nevertoolate My emphasis of study is art history which was why I was so thrilled to recently visit The Getty. Here are a few of my Favorite Ladies of the Getty.
Portrait of the Marquise de Miramon, née, Thérèse Feuillant, Jacques Joseph Tissot, c. 1866.
Favorite Ladies of the Getty
Tissot is one of my favorite French painters. He is a master of detail. Yet for all of the information available on this painting, there is one key factor that puzzles me. The Marquise is shown wearing a fashionable dressing gown (robe) in the privacy of her own home, the Château de Paulhac, in Auvergne. So why the lone glove in such an intimate setting? (The other rests on the mantle.) And you thought Michael Jackson invented that fashion. Smile.
Young Ladies Admiring Japanese Objects James Tissot, c. 1869.
Tissot again. But this image spoke to my heart. Which should be the #1 reason for selecting art for your home.
In this painting, I saw myself and my cousin Linda. We LOVE going to museums. Yet each and every time we somehow lean in too closely to study some small detail and inevitably cause alarms to go off.
The Chinoiserie detailing in the table above and the oriental rug below is just exquisite in person.
I like to study the signatures of famous artists. Tissot’s is by far one of the prettiest I’ve seen.
The Interactive Factor
The main reason I love to go to art museums is the interactive factor. I can show you the painting of Portrait of Thérése, countess Clary Aldringen by John Singer Sargent c. 1896 but to really SEE the portrait it must be viewed in person. I did try to capture the paintings large size, by allowing a viewer into the shot for reference, but the true impact cannot be felt.
The real magic of this painting is found in the sparkling gems. You can somewhat get the idea in the photograph but in person it’s magnificent.
The frame itself was also fabulous and his signature reinforces his swift painting ability.
I almost quickly passed by Entrance to Jardin Turc Louis-Léopold Boilly, c. 1812.
At first glance, it seemed rather “Meh.”
But then, initially, the children drew me in. The affection of the boy; is it towards his sister or her grapes?
I also had to laugh at the seemingly smiling dog with dentures.
But just beyond that, I saw her.
And she saw me.
Harsh, But Lovely
Over the summer I completed a class strictly on portraiture. One session alone was spent on Netherlandish artist Rogier van der Weyden. I was eager to see his work in person. At first, Isabella of Portugal is off-putting. The noble women of the 1450s used to pluck their foreheads to achieve this hairstyle. She seems so…harsh… to our modern eye.
But on closer inspection, you can almost “feel” the velvet. You can also see the creases of skin on her neck. Keeping in mind this portrait was painted around 1450 I then understood why van der Weyden is considered a master.
I like this painting because…we’ve all been there.
Sure, we could discuss Head of a Woman, Michael Sweerts, c. 1654, in terms of his striking brushwork and how the artist seemingly created a three-dimensional form through separated and blended strokes of various shades. The application of white on white alone is nothing short of spectacular.
But sometimes it’s just better to say “I feel you sister.”
I just never tire of Renoir. While La Promenade, c. 1870, is far from his best work, it’s still lovely.
The ethereal white of her dress against the brown and green palette makes me sigh with contentment.
When in close proximately to darling young children (that I know well) I will often say “You are so cute I am going to put you in my pocket.”
If there was ANY way, shape, or form that I could have put Jeanne Kéfer, Fernand Khnopff, c. 1885, in my pocket I would have.
Just look at her!
Her pose captures the essence of childhood. The taupe coat against the pale green door is perfection.
In my pocket!
I have of course saved my best for last.
Jeanne (Spring), Édouard Manet, c. 1881.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. While everyone else LOVES Monet and Renoir I myself would choose Manet as my favorite impressionist. He was a risk taker. I like that.
For over two decades, Manet’s paintings were rejected by the Salon or viewed with contention. Thankfully, this painting was met with true success just one year before his death.
I had to go back twice to take her all in.
1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
I hope you have enjoyed the tour.
Laura
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Thank you for sharing highlights of your visit to the Getty and for introducing me to the delightful Jeanne Kéfer. I'm going to have to add the Getty to my bucket list.
I love posts like this, Laura. Decades ago I was an art history minor and I have forgotten much of the mechanics but never lost the love of the art, the detail, the techniques. Oil was never my medium to work in but oh, how I love to see it. And portraits — it is like seeing into the soul of the subject when you have a wonderful portrait. I adore the ones of the children, definitely soul.
And three cheers for never too late! I couldn't agree more. But not everyone actually DOES it! So Bravo!
Such beautiful portraits ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
Oh I loved reading all your post about the different painters of long ago. Whose art is still with us today in Museums and on blogs LOL
I love seeing the painting at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City I hope to go back there next May
Thanks so much for enlightening me with these paintings pf beautiful women
Wonderful = thank you. You will do well with your senior year, and your degree. I am happy for you and proud OF you. Keep of the good work. This was awesome- please share more in time. Delightful seeing this and not hurting my feet one bit doing so, haha.
I loved the painting where everyone is looking in all sorts of directions, save the lady you mentioned and the gentleman next to her. I wonder if the gentleman was painted in the likeness of the artist himself? Pondering thoughts – it was odd at all the directions.
My favorite by far was that fair skinned red-headed angel. You know how much curly, thick red hair had to be under her sweet bonnet to make it stick up like that in the back? I have had really long hair all my life so I pay close attention to those kinds of things. : – )
Have a blessed day. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Michelle, in “Entrance to Jardin Turc” the artist created a self portrait of himself on the far right wearing a black top hat and spectacles. 🙂
Laura,
I love seeing these beautiful paintings through your eyes. You pointed out so many details that I might have missed on my own. Oh that little Jeanne Kefer! How darling could one child be? Thank you for this lovely post!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the tour and so appreciate your commentary on each piece. You pointed out many details that I would have missed!
Just beautiful! Sweet faces and such detail! Thank you for sharing!
How blessed you are to have visited the museum in person! It must have been wonderful to see all these beautiful creations first hand. The little In My Pocket redhead is my personal favorite as two of my granddaughters are redheads. I enjoyed your post so much, Laura!
Hi Laura…what an interesting and thought provoking post today, and how wonderful to be studying something you're passionate about…at any age:-) l'm afraid l'm like everyone else being that Monet is my favourite artist and l actually dedicated an entire post to him when l first started blogging. l've loved seeing all the artists you love and are studying, each one a master in their own right, not sure why the lady would be wearing a glove in her negligee, maybe it prevented her looking too casual…who knows. Anyway thanks so much for sharing l've really enjoyed reading it all.
What a treat this was to read and what a pleasure it must have been for you to actually be there. I loved your 'ladies'!
Thank you for introducing us to these lovely ladies of the Getty. I thoroughly enjoyed your comments on each one. Happy studies! I didn't complete my French degree until after 50, so you're well ahead of me!
I would have enjoyed exploring this museum with you. It would be fun to enjoy your art and art history knowledge.
Your images and commentary were both interesting and enjoyable. Great blog post.
Best to you in your senior year. You have amazed me with how you have done it all. Being a wife, mother, blogger and student is quite a full load!
I'm in the category of never stopping to examine, really examine art. I appreciate being shown all the details that I would never have noticed as I tend to view the overall piece. You would make a great docent!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Oh, thank you for this post. It was very interesting and I really enjoyed the detail pictures!
After viewing the gentlemen I just had to come and see the beautiful ladies. Truly gorgeous, thank you for sharing.
Your captures of all the works of art are stunning.