[Republicanprofessor]

I am hoping that some great discussion will ensue after each of these mini-“lectures.” I expect to do about 8-10 in all, perhaps one or two in modern architecture at the end.

[TheBigB]

Ping. ;o)

[Republicanprofessor]

I am pinging this to those who requested it, the Art ping list and to a few others with whom I’ve had fun art contacts at FR. Billorites will supply the necessary humor: Christo crackers, LHOOQ, etc.

I am also wondering: do you see these works as pornographic? Why or why not? Pornography seems to be an issue in art nowadays. When did that start? What is pornography? (I have my definition....I want yours.)

[Bluegrass Conservative]

she is definitely a prostitute

Why do you say she is definitely a prostitute?

[Kay Syrah]

cool thread prof. I look forward to the rest of the lecture series. Thanks.

[dawn53]

Manet is a part of the movement called Realism

Well the figures on these ladies are definitely more in line with what this middle aged woman would call "realism", LOL!

[Atheist_Canadian_Conservative]

For the first two for example, when I look at the top one from the corner of my eye, it looks more "realistic" than the second one from the corner of my eye. Similarly for the next set, with the "less realistic" of the pair looking "more realistic" at a glance.

I'm not sure why...

[JAWs]

On first glance, I thought you wrote "Mamet<'b> and Homer." So, I thought we'd be talking about the poet who wrote, "Sing, goddess, of the rage of Peleus¹ son Achilles," and David %$@&#ing Mamet!

[JAWs]

On first glance, I thought you wrote "Mamet and Homer." So, I thought we'd be talking about the poet who wrote, "Sing, goddess, of the rage of Peleus¹ son Achilles," and David %$@&#ing Mamet!

[AnAmericanMother]

Homer may be considered a "regionalist", but that's only the Euro-centrist art critics talking.

For me the acid test is watercolor, because it can't be worked over or corrected. What you see is what you get, and Homer is brilliant in the medium:

Hard to believe that last one IS a watercolor . . .

[KC_Conspirator]

How to get an "A" in a college art class:

"Deconstructing Manet’s Olympia: Foucault has Nothing on Me, Bee-yotch”

Obviously, in comparison to earlier nudes, the use of a prostitute shows us all that we must be sexually liberated. Manet understood that you must do it in the street. And did you see how lovingly the other woman is looking at the woman on the divan? This indicates that Manet was well ahead of his time, and understood that one day gay marriage would replace Christianity, which is supported by the lack of any religious symbols in the painting. Of course, the other woman is African, so Manet could have been a racist, but definitely not a sexist or a homophobe, unlike the warmongering, Chimp Bush, who is all three.

How did I do?

[The Great RJ]

I teach Art and Music Appreciation at a local technical college. My first lecture is a paraphrase of the federal jurist's comments about pornography...you can't really define good art but you know it when you see it. I send my students to visit local galleries and art exhibits and write about what piece or pieces they liked. I have had many students who had never seriously visited an art gallery before come back and write how moved they were by a ceratin piece and were surprised how much they enjoyed seeing serious art for the first time.

[samtheman]

Maurice Denis said this “A picture--before it is a a war horse, a female nude, or some anecdote, is essentially a flat surface covered with colors in a particular order.”

He’s made the lady flatter and bolder

more modern and flattened style of realism

And one says he would paint her flatly, as if in real light,

Does the word "flat" have different meanings. I understand the first use of the word ("essentially a flat surface"), but I'm not sure I follow its usage through the rest of it.

Other than the obvious, what does "flat" mean?

[LexBaird]

Nice primer on some basics. I quite agree on the works of Homer being superior. Again, the much more dynamic composition, suggesting the power of the sea, is strongly supported by Homer's triangular composition. The diagonal masses denote motion much more successfully than the essentially horizontal and vertical lines in the "Picnic on the Lawn". Only Manet's forced and out of place bather makes the triangle, whereas Homer's flow from the natural occurrences of the subject.

Perhaps the triangular composition could be the subject for another discussion. A good example would be Goya's "3rd of May" or Picasso's "Guernica". Also, a comparison of Goya's Maja's to "Olympia".

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Well, this may not be the "great discussion" you're looking for, but I'll say, "Art is cool!" :)

My Grandpa had "Fog Warning" on his wall for decades. He also liked Andrew Wyeth, and I inherited his print of "Groundhog Day," which I love.

I don't know much about art, but I'm looking forward to your views on the Impressionists, as I love that style of painting. I also like Sargent, so hopefully you can get to him, too?

[finnman69]

I tend to like Homer better than Monet myself. There is a regionalism and reality to Homer's work that seems richer than Manet/s work. Manet's work, such as Olympia is indeed very important as it breaks certain taboos about representation.

[iceskater]

Thank you! I feel like a learned a few things today.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

Manny:

Homer:

You're making this way too complicated. Plus, you don't even know how to spell "Manny". I think you did that on purpose, just for a highbrow excuse to post the naked chick pictures (even though most of them are kinda chunky). ;-)

[najida]

I like Homer's energy and motion--- you can almost feel the waves and the whip of the wind.

Manet has a stark realism that comes off as a bit brutal in a way. Like you just walked up and caught someone unaware, and not in a good way, totally.

The older paintings have a soft blur to them that makes them seem dreamlike and sweet. Like you are peeking through guazey window sheers.

None of the paintings appear pornographic to me. I did get a bit of "Oh my! They all have my hips and tummy! WHO'S BEEN IN MY BATHROOM!" in my gut reaction. ;)

Ah, as for the first woman being a prostitute, she's wearing heels in bed. ;)

[Texican]

Republican:
Would you please add me to your ping list when you get to Charlie Russell and Friedrich Remington. These are two of the best in my estimation. Not being one of the "elete" I appreciate "Art" that I enjoy, and these two great artists represent that to me.
I appreciate you putting this on Free Republic, even though this is not a forum for this type of input. We all learn from eachother and I hope many happy moments are observed by others on the paintings you have submitted.

Have a good day, and the very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

[Gingersnap]

Interesting subject! Although I like Manet well enough, I probably really prefer the Titian. There is more individual textural detail in Manet but more sheer beauty and elegant composition in Titian. That said, I would take Homer over Manet also.

Homer's subject matter is something I can relate to even if I live about as far from a sea as possible. Homer has much better composition and even though there is often less detail to his work, there is a tremendous sense of movement or vigor.

None of these examples are pornographic. Like everybody else, I not sure how to define it. I guess that sexuality is more or less incidental in these pieces. We aren't focused on blatant arousal and the artists aren't urging or inviting us to be aroused. We are more interested in the prostitute for herself than her profession.

Please add me to the list, it seems like it will be an interesting discussion!