emojis in Edward Hopper works. something I wish I would have thought of first.
arthipstory
makin' art real talk
found gauguin
Just what we need in the news: A found Gauguin. UGH.
Gauguin’s “Fruit on a Table or Still Life with a Small Dog” was recently rediscovered when an unassuming Italian paid an equivalent to $25 for the work at an auction back in the 70s.
The painting, which was unveiled by—of all things, the Italian CULTURE Ministry, earlier this week (the IRONY)—was stolen with another work. Together, they went to auction after chilling in a Lost and Found when the artworks were abandoned on a train post-theft.
I’m guessing they realized they had a Gauguin.
so you want to see the president…
“No pictures. Get to your group.” Sorry, sir…I’m the only one getting busted for taking pictures of art at the White House. #normanrockwell
pieta
Michelangelo carved the Pieta at 24. Now, plenty of people have done VERY successful things in their mid-twenties, but let’s be real, Michelangelo blows the doors off all those featured in “30 under 30.” What the hell is Clinkle compared to significant religious iconography?!
In fact, the piece was was so damn good, people didn’t even believe it was his. Michelangelo overheard visitors gawking and incredulous about the work—they thought it was made by another (more accomplished) sculptor, Solari.
So, PISSED and rightfully so, Michelangelo carved his own name right on the sash in between Mary’s breasts. It was the only work he ever signed.
People hated on the Pieta well after the Renaissance. Someone in the 70s climbed on her and screamed, “I am Jesus Christ!” while hacking away at her with a hammer. She suffered damage and a nose job. She’s now behind bulletproof glass in a totally different spot from her original location in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Thanks for ruining the fun for all of us, Lazlo Toth. Pieta is Italian for “pity,” and now I know WHY.
dancer of fourteen years
Degas’ “Girl of Fourteen Years” was exhibited in the sixth Impressionist show in 1881. Most critics hated it (some called her “heinous”), but the heirs cast many bronze pieces of her anyway. Haters gonna hate.
The wax original of this little lady was acquired by Paul Mellon, in between racing horses and being an absolute millionaire. How charitable it was, then, when he gave DC’s National Gallery sixty-some-odd castings and sculpture, the largest collection of Degas’ 3D works.
Now, hold your horses (sorry Mellon), here comes the best part! One of the castings (at least 28 were made) was sold at auction and purchased ON ACCIDENT by the owner of Auto Trader. You’re telling me that you own a search engine for cars and you buy the wrong artwork, for 19 MILLION dollars, on accident?!
Sheesh, must be nice.
untitled #9
Last Friday, Google celebrated the birthday of Agnes Martin. Did you even notice? Unless you’re as obsessed with minimalist art as you are with this season’s push for pastels, you probably DIDN’T.
Nevertheless, Martin’s work blends the grid’s mathematical accuracy with artistic wonder. She puts viewers on the same plane, makes two-dimensional works absolutely limitless, and yet, she stayed hella calm during her process.
“The main thing in making art often,” she said in her documentary, “is letting go of your expectation and your idea.”
Well said, girlfriend.
the waterfall
Henri Rousseau’s most famous for painting jungle scenes, and yet, the man never visited a jungle. Instead, he studied encyclopedias, botanical illustrations, and taxidermied animals. When all those Impressionists were outside being one with nature, Rousseau was chillin’ in the library.
fountain
Et voila, Duchamp gives us the everyday urinal. The normal becomes the unnatural, the mundane into magical, the Kohler showroom looking like a “been there, done that” for every gallerina.
Duchamp’s work was titled the “Most Influential Work of the 20th Century” in 2004. Perhaps only more incredulous is the tried and trued tales of 5 performance artists pissing in it. Chalk it up to the charitable artistic communities and their “contributions.”
Now go out there and make something that belongs to someone else your own. GO! PILLAGE! CLAIM!
nighthawks
Edward Hopper painted this work in 1942 and within months, it was sold to the Art Institute for a cool $3,000.
His wife Jo modeled as the redhead. It’s been parodied on the Simpsons for crying out loud, talk about influential.
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