Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Death And Life

The British artist George Romney painted Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) in 1776. The Mohawk leader traveled to London at the time and would wind up becoming a thorn in the side to the Americans during the Revolution, coming into Canada afterwards with his people. It is different from the William Berczy portrait of Brant that I showed you earlier in this series.


River Landscape With Cattle Watering And Ferry Boat is an oil painting by Thomas Gainsborough. done around 1754-56 after he had returned to his native Suffolk from time spent in London. It is an imagined landscape, but does evoke his surroundings.


The Death Of General Wolfe is a dramatic, large oil painting from 1770 by the American artist Benjamin West. This is the original and primary version of the painting (there are at least four others West made based on this, including at the ROM in Toronto, one in Michigan and two in Britain at Suffolk and in the Royal collection). It depicts the last moments of the British general James Wolfe after being wounded at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham near Quebec City. This was a pivotal part of the French and Indian War, or the Seven Years War as it's also called. West gives the fallen general a Christ-like depiction as he is surrounded by officers, soldiers, militia, and even an indigenous warrior. West deliberately paid attention to detail in regards to weapons and uniforms, going against the grain of artists at the time which was to depict them in classical attire. The painting made his reputation as an artist. 


From death to life- my favourite sculpture in the Gallery. Canova's Dancer is a life sized marble dancer on a pedestal, the second version of the sculpture. She stands down at the far end of this particular gallery space, and she makes an irresistible photo subject, looking lively and in mid-step.

42 comments:

  1. The Dancer sure steals the show, beautiful!

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  2. Again an interesting series...Dancer included!

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  3. ...I can see why Canova's Dancer is your favorite, it's mine too.

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  4. She is magnificent William, Canova created an exceptional sculpture in the Dancer. I can see why she would be a favourite ✨

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  5. The West painting detail boggles the mind. It is a testament to painting slow.

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  6. i enjoy the details ... are those poppies (crown) on your head? wow, amazing art piece.
    ( ;

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  7. You've shown Canova's Dancer here before, I think, but that's no problem at all. She's a real beauty, I can imagine this is your favourite sculpture in the Gallery.

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  8. @Iris: she does.

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Italiafinlandia: thank you.

    @Tom: she is a marvel.

    @Grace: definitely.

    @Maywyn: I agree.

    @Beth: some type of flower.

    @Jan: yes I have.

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  9. Hello, beautiful paintings and sculpture. I like the Canova's dancer. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  10. The Dancer is a beauty. A different body shape than those revered today, for sure.

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  11. Hello William!
    Great series of pictures! Beautiful paintings and amazing sculpture!
    Have a happy day!
    Dimi...

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  12. For each post I think well he can't find anything better than this and the next post goes on to show more amazing art.

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  13. I also love the Canova's Dancer! Is gorgeous!
    Greetings!

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  14. The West painting is wonderful, and I didn't know the original was there! Yes that Dancer sculpture is great...classical meets the Minuet, (or whatever might have been the dance favorite of the day.)

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  15. @Eileen: thank you.

    @Marie: indeed.

    @Dimi: thanks!

    @Red: and more to come.

    @happyone: thanks!

    @Ella: she feels lifelike.

    @Barbara: I agree!

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  16. The paintings and sculpture are beautiful to see.

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  17. The sculpture is beautiful, and she does look very lively!

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  18. I love all the things you featured today very much!

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  19. Such important Art! I am familiar with the painting of James Wolfe after being wounded at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham near Quebec from my East Coast growing up times........

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  20. The dancer looks ready to take to the floor!

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  21. @Bill: I think so!

    @Tamago: she does.

    @Jeanie: thanks!

    @Cloudia: it is an amazing painting.

    @RedPat: yes she does.

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  22. Isn't it amazing how marble can look like soft draped fabric?

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  23. I am focusing on the dancer. I did not remember the name Antonio Canova. Google to the rescue! However, if my memory serves me right, I believe I saw one of his sculptures at the Louvre a few years ago. Psyche revive by Cupid's kiss.
    Then I checked his other work on the net. Fabulous.

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  24. "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss"
    : )

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  25. Looks like you might have been quite taken by the little lady. :-)

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  26. I do like the sprightly dancer. And I love "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss." I hadn't known its name before Catarina mentioned it above.

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  27. I like the Dancer too, very nice statue :)

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  28. We all applaud your choice of the marble status as a personal favorite, William. It is a lovely piece of art.

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  29. Yes, I can see why you like this sculpture so much - she is engaging from every angle. She appears to be enjoying herself, and I also like that the woman's body is realistic in proportion - no Barbie doll here!

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  30. Lovely post of art works ~ Like the first portrait ^_^

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  31. Gainsborough did paint some wonderful scenes.

    Yes, Canova's Dancer is beautiful.

    All the best Jan

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  32. Stone sculptures are amazing! Her dress looks like cloth.

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  33. I especially am drawn to this collection of art. The sculpture is so graceful from all angles.

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  34. Did you have to work hard to avoid taking photos of people, or did you go at a quiet time?

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  35. @Maria: it is!

    @Jenn: that's true.

    @Catarina: I'd love to see that.

    @Revrunner: is it that obvious?

    @Kay: she really stands out.

    @Sami: it certainly is.

    @Beatrice: it definitely is.

    @Angie: that's true!

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  36. @Anvilcloud: thank you.

    @Carol: I do as well.

    @Jan: thank you.

    @Sandi: it does.

    @Whisk: she does.

    @Sharon: definitely.

    @Jennifer: a bit of both. I do find I prefer to avoid getting people in shots.

    @Klara: definitely.

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