Two hundred years later.

I have no idea what I am going to write but right away, I know I want to write something about this painting. It is drawing me in. So well done to Mr Tournier and Well done to Magpie for catching our attention.

It is been a while since I contributed to the Magpie's website, but I am glad to be part of it again. Did I say how much I love painting? I love painting. But today, I don't think I want to honour this painting with poetry. I think I just want to react on that painting.

It is funny to see how we are all link to each other. Our thoughts, love, and hate ripple to one another and either expand or contract.
It is the same with Art.
Because this painting you see reminds me of another painting. It is so very close to another French painter style. The painting is called "Luncheon on the Grass." It is from the artist Edouard Manet.



The only difference is this painting "Banquet Scene with a Lute Player" was made in 1625 while the other one below was created in 1862 and 1863. Two hundred years later!
I think there is the same audacity in bringing the audience in. The same realism, the same attempt at depicting the intimacy of a scene on one hand and the invitation of that look on the other hand.
One element claims you that you are excluded the other is calling for you.
Well two hundred years later, the same happens again.
Only this time the viewer is a naked lady lunching with two fully dressed

At the time, it sparked controversy because the figures were the artist's relatives. There is Manet's wife and  the two men are Manet's brother Eugène Manet and his future brother-in-law Ferdinand Leenhoff.
I would have thought the shock would have come from the fact that it is okay for a woman to be seen as naked while men retain their dignity in clothes but not at all. Because believe it or not, this had been done before.  Scholars also cite two works as important precedents for Manet's painting Luncheon on the Grass, the Pastoral Concert 1508, and the Tempest, 1510, both by Giorgione and both features fully dressed man with nude women in a rural setting.


So there you go. I have learned something today.
Magpie  #67

Magpie Tales is a blog dedicated to poets and writers with the purpose of honing their craft, sharing it with like minded bloggers and  keeping their muse alive and well. For more stories inspired by this picture go to   http://magpietales.blogspot.com/