Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt, Part II

This is a continuation of the previous post I wrote on the collaboration of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas.  Written in response to the Washington D.C. USA, National Gallery of Art's current display of Cassatt's and Degas's paintings and letters which highlight their friendship and collaboration.

"Little Girl in a Blue Armchair"  is an example of that collaboration.  In a letter, written in 1903, Cassatt described how Degas suggested changes to the painting and even worked on the background.  The National Gallery of Art, which owns the painting and while creating the theme around the exhibition, x ray ed the work and did find that Degas did add more depth to the painting by adding light to the upper part of the work and adding a corner which leads the eye through the room. 

http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/global-site-search-page.html?searchterm=Degas%2FCassatt&searchpath=%2Fcontent%2Fngaweb%2FCollection&pageNumber=1

If you can possibly connect to the National Gallery of Art with these feeble attempts of mine to be "techy," please do.  Use the Degas/Mary Cassatt link in their web site.  The colors are breathtaking and you will see paintings and drawings you have not seen before.  

In this age of instant tragic and horrific news, it helps to take a break and view the creative genius of two artists, one an American woman from Pennsylvania and a French artist, Edgar Degas.  Connect to the website, take a breath, drink a great cup of coffee or tea, or even better a glass of wine and enjoy.    

15 comments:

  1. Love the colours in the painting above. I think I'd find it hard to have someone co-painting something I'd done, even a mentor. How lucky they met and could collaborate.

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    1. I seem to remember that famous painters such as Rembrandt and before him used apprentices to fill in backgrounds and more of larger pieces. Would be interesting to research this topic. But I agree, hard to allow someone to touch your painting, I would. Suggestions yes, actually painting, no. But then writers use editors so. . .

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  2. And with the rich, lucid colours of that painting, indeed, a good time to take a time out from the madness of this fragile planet. Collaboration of inspiration.

    Thank you for this.

    Gary

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    1. Time to celebrate creativity. Art is hardly taught in schools anymore, sadly. But, there is that creative urge in some anyway. But creativity comes in many forms, techy people too. I am not a numbers person and I knew that, but now there is film and other mediums for kids these days.

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  3. Wonderful colours. I really like this picture.

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  4. Thank you, Jo. I love the slouchy position of the little girl, so realistic. And if you take away what Degas added, the painting is not as good.

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  5. Hi Nat - this is fascinating to read about Degas' collaboration with Mary Cassatt - loved learning about how Degas put his paintbrush in - to good effect here ...

    Thankfully there are specific schools for art and there are wonderful artists out there ... places to stay and enjoy being taught ...

    The colours of the furniture are bright .. and the patterns so carefully recreated. The child is slumped in a I really don't want to be here pose ... but so realistic .. and I love the Scottish tartan - it's what it looks like to me - around her waist ..

    I'll try and get back to see the link - thanks for putting it in for us .. cheers Hilary

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  6. Love Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas too.
    I am glad visiting your beautiful blog.

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    1. Thank you Sonia: Your photos of the homeless and their dogs was terrific.

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  7. its always a treat to learn what goes on behind a painting, what beautiful work,

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  8. Oh, I posted a long comment here and it seems to have disappeared! You'll have to take my word that it was brilliant, erudite and hilarious.....If I can remember what I wrote I will return and try again later!

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  9. Oh no, you mean I have to miss all that brilliance? Sorry, have no idea what happened.

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  10. i have never seen this painting--i love the colors

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  11. What an amazing image. The blue is so vivid!
    I'm visiting from the A to Z challenge list. One of the blogs that my team participated in the challenge with is Poetry of the Netherworld.

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  12. Hello Helena: I have to laugh, when I first read your comment, I thought it said, "Poetry of the Netherlands,"--so now I am curious to find out all about your blog.

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