Something Beautiful

Robert Shetterly & "Americans Who Tell the Truth"

Again and again I'm drawn to the idea of the Americans Who Tell the Truth project.   I'm not crazy about the artist's style but something deep within me responds to the basic idea of offering visual and narrative portraits of admirable Americans.   Artist Robert Shetterly began this project after 9/11, in response to all the lies that were being told to the American people at that time.   May we someday be worthy of greatness again. 

Margaret Bourke White (& friend)

Something a little different for today - a photo portrait of Margaret Bourke White and Cat, taken in 1974 in Darien, Connecticut, by none other than Ansel Adams.   It has somehow caught my fancy.  Perhaps it will yours as well? 

Surprises

Today I was (am) in more than usual need of something beautiful. It occurred to me to try Google Art, and so I proceeded to that site. Somewhat to my surprise, I rather quickly found a portrait that seemed a real candidate. As I looked at it through the extraordinary Google Art zoom feature, I could feel myself relaxing, that invariable, telling physical response to the truly beautiful.

I've postponed giving the title of the work and the artist's name because both of them are quite surprising, although in different ways. You might be -- as I was -- prejudiced against the lady who is portrayed, and thus dismiss the work without really looking. Please don't, as the portrait is truly fine.

And so to revelation: the work in question is Marie Antoinette with a Rose, painted in 1783.

For me, the first surprise was that a portrait of that lady exists which could defensibly be deemed beautiful. My second surprise was that the artist was a woman, Louise Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun. Who knew?

Remember: you'll need to zoom in order really to appreciate this work.

Americans who tell the truth

This artist celebrates dozens of American heroes in his series Americans Who Tell the Truth.

Portrait by Correggio

There's something about this Portrait of a Scholar, 1525, by Correggio.

Artists - photographs

The Los Angeles County Museum has placed online a number of artist portraits by photographer Sanford Roth.  I recommend in particular the photos of --

Chagall
Cocteau
Cocteau and Stravinsky
Lord Dunsaney

Giacometti
Matisse
Miro (more here)
Man Ray
Utrillo (more here)

Infanta (with lace)

Take a look at the lace in this portrait of the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain, 1599, by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz.  Amazing!