Friday, August 27, 2010

Monet and the dancer

Monet and the dancer

This is my favorite sculpture, called The Dancer by Edgar Degas. She wears a real silk tutu and a ribbon beautifully faded by time. I've seen four different casts of her and each one steals my breath. This is my favorite though because she gazes at Monet with Renoir looking over her shoulder. I'll show you more tomorrow.

Now I'm wondering: what art do you adore?


August Break, day 15. Photo: taken at the St. Louis Art Museum in July.

26 comments:

Deborah Carr said...

Alas, I am far away from art museums, so my favourite art is the landscape outside my door.

However, I must say that I do share your adoration of this one.

Tracy said...

Me too! The Dancer has always been a favorite sculpture for me too--the tenderness of it always gets my heartstrings... There is so much of art I love, it would take me all day to write & share it her. But I do love the stories & mythology behind many paintings by the Pre-Raphaelites. The Impressionists always make a huge impression on me. ;o) I also love the simplicity and longing of works my Edward Hopper. The watercolors by Andrew Wyeth have long had a fondness in my heart, as he was a PA man--where I'm from. Art has always been important to me--to see it, appreciate it, to make it. I love being surrounded by beauty. :o) Happy weekend, Relyn ((HUGS))

spread your wings said...

so glad you had to opportunity to use your camera there - that way we get to see too. wonderful shot with her looking at the water lilies.

d smith kaich jones said...

I love The Dancer and have seen it somewhere at a show once upon a time. Surrounded by El Grecos - it was an odd mix. In fact, I did a term paper in Art History about Degas' ballerinas. SO many years ago.

My favorite art? Folk art, outsider art. Different pieces at different times. Least favorite? Anything blatantly political - hate it, hate it. LOL!

xoxo
Debi

GailO said...

I love your composition here...Lovely!

...I could never pick just one favorite type of art...just like I have never been able to pick a favourite color.

S. Etole said...

such graceful lines in this ... and perhaps dreaming ...

Unknown said...

There's just so much of it, art that is, most of which I'll never get to see! I like the physical stuff that forms part of buildings; frescoes, murals and statuary.

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

Edgar Degas is one of my all time favorite artists. Each piece is breathtaking... Hope you have a good weekend girlie!

Elle Bee said...

Beautiful!!

At the moment, I'm enjoying the children's art. My oldest is just delighting me with drawings of animals!

But I'm always loving impressionist paintings. And photography of course.

Jennifer Richardson said...

I adore art created
by children
....the kind posted
by sticky fingers on
refrigerators with
ladybug magnets
and stickers from
the dentists office.
The kind pulled from
book bags with eager
fingers and shoved
toward open hands with
innocent pride
and hope that it's seen,
really seen
and loved.
-Jennifer
that

Meri said...

She's always taken my breath away too. What else? The two jury-selected pieces that my youngest made in kindergarten and first grade that were entered in the summer art show. An encaustic that's in my family room. A little bronze sculpture that's like infinity in the "bagel on the Mall" in Washington, D.C.

Debbie said...

Beautiful.

Sue said...

This is beautiful.

I'm have been captivated by Dale Chihuly's glass work the past few years. That is the first thing that came to mind.

Char said...

it is a totally beautiful piece

Chris said...

These are gorgeous shots! Art many times speaks to me in ways that words cannot express.

Sweet Tea said...

Beautiful post!

susanna said...

In all the years that I have seen photos of The Dancer, I NEVER knew that she had a REAL silk tutu or a REAL ribbon in her hair! Wow. Thanks, Relyn.

susanna said...

PS: The artwork that I adore...

The photography of Sarah Moon speaks to my heart. It would be a dream to own one of her b&w photographs. Also the way the American Impressionist Childe Hassam paints with colour. And the watercolours of Andrew Wyeth.

ELK said...

this is such a stunning piece ..makes me feel calm..
paper torn . fabric scraps..that's me!

krista said...

i'm on my way to the getty museum in about a half hour. how serendipitous to visit you this morning in the last few minutes of waiting for everyone to get ready.
xoxo

Amy said...

Oh, I love the dancer ... sigh.

Marilyn Miller said...

I have been enchanted by Degas dancers for a long time and was thrilled a few years ago to see them at the D'Orsay Musee in Paris. What a JOY.

Susan said...

I adore YOUR art!
I want to frame this shot, and have your signature on it...and yes, that is more than a hint.
Thank you for sharing your view of our beautiful world!

Suvarna said...

Oh Relyn, you've transported me back to Europe and these two especially were favourites of mine. Love how you captured these!
I noticed you are reading "Within the Frame", incredible book and just discovered another of his a few days ago called Visionmongers, both very good reads.
xoxoxoxo

meandering pearl said...

i love these paintings, sculptures & tour photos of them too!!! tremendously beautiful!!! loveliest thoughts

Jaime said...

Well, if I wasn't seeing Monet in your most recent post, I am definitely seeing it now!
I fell absolutely in awestruck love with a particular Monet painting in Chicago a few years ago. I just stood there...staring..the colours and splashes of light were amazing. I don't think I have ever been so moved by a painting. Didn't want to move away to see other pieces. Just wanted to return to that one..and I did, several times!

Oldies, but Goodies