When: closing November 12, 2018
This look at Swiss portraiture marks the beginning of a new venture at the National Portrait Gallery, called Portraits of the World. It's meant to show how works by artists from other countries have influenced American portraiture, and this first offering was quite interesting.
Ferdinand Hodler's "Woman in Ecstasy: Giulia Leonardi" is the featured painting - seen here. This work has both the specificity of his particular subject, along with the universality of the human joy in movement. Hodler was interested in nature's rhythmic patterns, and his work resonated with his contemporaries in the world of dance.
In dialogue with this portrait are several works of dancers and dancing, including one of my favorites: a chromolithograph of Loie Fuller at the Folies Bergere. Her dancing and use of extravagant costuming and lighting made her revered among the French, who considered her the embodiment of Art Nouveau. Considering how beautiful Art Nouveau works are, that's quite the compliment.
Verdict: The plan is that each year, the NPG will showcase a different country, and they're off to a fine start. I look forward to seeing and learning more in future.
No comments:
Post a Comment