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Sunday, June 22, 2014

Paintings Of Klimt And Grandma Moses

By Darren Hartley


Three Klimt paintings, namely, Philosophy, Medicine and Jurisprudence, were criticized for their radical themes and material. They were considered pornographic. These paintings transformed traditional allegory and symbolism into a new language which was more overtly sexual, hence, more disturbing. Unfortunately, all three paintings were destroyed by retreating SS forces in May, 1945.

Another example of Klimt paintings, meant to shake up the establishment, was the Nuda Verita. Completed in 1899, it pictured a starkly naked red-headed woman holding the mirror of truth. The quotation, "If you cannot please everyone with your deeds and your art, please a few. To please many is bad," was printed above the image.

The Beethoven Frieze was the most renowned of 1902 Klimt paintings. Painted directly on the walls using light materials, it featured a monumental, polychromed sculpture by Max Klinger. A resemblance to Gustav Mahler was evident in the face on the Beethoven portrait. Mahler was a composer with whom Klimt shared a respectful relationship.

Grandma Moses paintings were widely famous nostalgic paintings depicting rural American life. They were internationally recognized and remained popular to this day. The first painting completed by Grandma Moses was done in the farm in Eagle Ridge where she spent the rest of her life starting in 1907.

Simple pictures of family, church and community scenes, extolling the virtues of honesty and hard work were the focus of Grandma Moses paintings. These virtues are exemplified by Grandma Moses herself. It was an old kitchen table placed in a utility room that formed her art studio.

Grandma Moses paintings showcased homespun, country scenes which brought out wonderful feelings and memories for many people. Most of them were done on strong cardboard with a scale of 24" by 30" or lesser. They were portrayals of happy scenes from rural home life. They sometimes pictured herself as a small child. Among these paintings are a number of historical scenes, usually about her ancestors.




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