A Painting Blog 20/03/2005 When I returned from my short vacation, I did my usual rounds of the blogosphere, trying to catch up on a week's work in a couple of days. I came eventually to the Rag & Bone Shop and saw that good Wayne has not added to my burden of comment by posting while I was away. This meant, however, that I was confronted once again by one of the most famous of all American paintings, American Gothic by Grant Wood (thanks to Ned and Google for information supplied).It reminded me that I intend to write about a painting I saw in Vicksburg. But, before I do that, a reflection on American art in general might be in order.I am beginning to suspect that our assessment of American art is incomplete. The first hint that this might be so came when I discovered the work of Zane Grey. Yes, the Western writer. That seems to sum up his reputation, for he is usually credited with having invented the Western genre with its tales of derring-do between cowboys and injuns. No-one seems to have noticed that he is also a very capable and fine writer; indeed, his short stories in particular are gems of the highest quality and he deserves to be placed alongside such greats as Mark Twain and John Steinbeck in the list of American authors. His powers of description and characterization are almost magical. Have a look at Tappan's Burro and Yaqui and you'll see what I mean.So I'm saying that Zane Grey is one who has been overlooked by the literary establishment, no doubt because of the genre in which he writes. And I think I may have discovered another American who has been passed over by the arbiters of taste.In Vicksburg, one of the few antebellum houses still standing is the Martha Vick House. This was built for the daughter of the founder of the town and it is now open for public inspection, even though it is privately owned. The owners have several paintings displayed on the walls, a few portraits, and many landscapes by a French artist named Ragot. I admit that I've never heard of him, but he may have some reputation as his paintings are pointed out in each room by the tour guide. They are nothing special, in my humble opinion, being post-Impressionist but really having missed the point of that movement. They are more about slapping paint on canvas than any attempt to capture light.This would be hardly worth writing about were it not for the existence of The Painting in the last room visited. It is a portrait of a Victorian lady, seated and gazing out of the canvas at the visitors filing past. It is completely realistic, just as are all the other portraits in the house. There is nothing special about the pose or the colors used; they are the norm for the period. The technique is superb, far better than anything else on display, but that alone would not be sufficient to give the painting its incredible power. I have seen paintings created with perfect technique that yet were empty of life. And that is what sets this portrait apart from the rest; it is overflowing with life. The lady's character and personality pour out upon the viewer so that one stands transfixed, fascinated by the communication of humanity wrought by this unknown artist. I could not look away.This is portraiture in the same class as Goya, the master of bringing to life the dissolute faces of the Spanish royal court of the early 19th Century. The subject is very different because the lady portrayed shines forth as a pure and joyful personality without the stupidity and pride so evident in Goya's subjects. Yet the genius is the same: that inexplicable ability to reveal the soul through pigment on canvas.In spite of its complete dominance of the room, the painting was not mentioned by the tour guide. When at last I was able to tear myself away, I asked the guide about the painting. She did not know. Apparently the picture was so little regarded that the owners felt no need to advise her of the artist or even the name of the subject. They would rather we notice the inferior products of Ragot, presumably because he was French.I am guessing that the painting is American, partly because it is not pointed out and has to defer to the French painter, and also because of the simplicity and lack of ornament of the subject's dress. If I am correct, then this painting is an excellent example of how poorly American art has been served by the establishment.There is a snobbery at work that regards American art as inferior to the work of the Europeans that it "copies". This is utter nonsense, since all artists learn from each other; all that really matters is the quality of the finished product.And that painting in the Martha Vick House deserves to be recognized for what it is - a superb and wonderful example of great portraiture.
Clive
Ned One wonders if you could find out more about that painting from the local historical society or whatever body governs the preservation of historical sites there. But how wonderful it would be if the artist were just some ordinary portrait painter, hiring himself out to those who could afford such luxuries and heretofore unknown. How marvellous it would be if someone finally noticed a talent that never had its praises sung before, or perhaps discovered a talent that has remained unknown but now becomes famous and sought-after. Interesting post. Many things here that I could comment on, Zane Grey for instance. I read of a lot of Zane Grey as a kid (older brother into westerns). I wish I could say I remembered any of it, but I don't now... perhaps it is time to rediscover him. Above all this post is written with the same quality we are used to here at Gone Away. Excellent. Date Added: 20/03/2005
Way I missed welcoming you back, Clive, so consider that as done. Art. Oh boy. Now I get to comment, but where to start? Hmm. Okay, how's this...hey, there are 144 words missing here, if a picture is really worth 1000. (chuckles) Year ago, after paying at the register in some nameless diner in some out-of-the-way place in New Mexico, I happened to glance up. Over the doorway I noticed a single western-motif painting on display, so I stepped up closer to examine the signature. Noting the different sheens across the face of the canvas, as well as a few thicker brush strokes here and there, the work was obvious to me an original painting, and not a copy. Then I was a little surprised to see the name of Frederick Remington down in the corner, and have often wondered ever since if the owner of the place really knew what value he had hanging there. Date Added: 20/03/2005
Way Years ago, I learned how to spel. Date Added: 20/03/2005
Gone Away I did a search on the internet for it, Ned. Plenty about the Martha Vick House, some about the Rogat landscapes, but nothing on the portrait. Without an artist's name, it will be difficult to go much further, I think. But you never know - maybe someone will read this and be able to supply a bit more info. Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away A fascinating thought, Way. Many long lost paintings by famous names have been found in similar fashion. Perhaps you should have made the proprietor an offer... ;) Date Added: 21/03/2005
Wayne Sounds like you've stumbled upon a mystery. Investigating these forgotten or anonymous relics is exactly the sort of thing that my wife likes to do, only she works with old journals from library archives.I've always sort of thought that American art came into its own with abstract expressionism, and has been more or less on the cutting edge (of pretentious trash, some would say) since the fifties or so. I can't think of a European Warhol, for example, but then again, that could be because I'm am ignorant art dilettante at best.And thanks for mentioning my site! I'm flattered to be linked. And I've tried to write since the third of this month, but the dozen or so pages came out screwy, so I'm doing you a big favor with my silence, believe me. No doubt I'll find something to blather about soon enough, though.Oh, and welcome back! Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Wayne. It's good to be back, especially as I have a few ideas for blogs. I did think of mentioning America's leadership in modern art (and you're quite right - there is no European Warhol) but felt that would take me away from the point I was trying to make. It's a complex subject that I might tackle at some time if I get daring enough. It's American art before the fifties that I was really thinking about. Even Grant Wood is regarded as simplistic and "backwoodsy" these days and I think that's a great mistake. His paintings speak to the vast majority of us and I feel that's more important than the high-flown theories of a few art critics so immersed in their speciality that they're hardly human anymore. Mr Wood's art has stood the test of time - American Gothic is still a powerful image that remains as effective as it ever was (and no amount of parody will detract from that). This, surely, is what matters in the end. Looking forward to your next post! Date Added: 21/03/2005
Jodie I think we undervalue a lot of things here. :) Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away I agree, Jodie. Being a furriner, I have a different viewpoint from most living in the States and sometimes I notice things that others take for granted. It was the same while I was in Britain - having grown up in Africa, I saw things rather differently from the natives and they often thought me weird when I mentioned this. Or maybe I am weird... Date Added: 21/03/2005
Way Ok, I did some snooping (which means I asked the wife), and here's what I found out. Eli had to do a critique for a class that included any nine writings (books, short stories, poems), or art from over the centuries, and one he chose was the "art" icle, as he put it, that you did, so you have now been panned in high school here in Hoohooville. How's it feel to be famous? Date Added: 21/03/2005
Matthew You've been MEMED! You have three days to comply. :) Date Added: 21/03/2005
Mad Someone tell me what "Memed" means? Sounds like something Josh would know. Josh? Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away Fame indeed, Way. I am honored, especially in that it was the mighty Eli doing the chosing. At any moment I expect the Thought Police to arrive on my doorstep with the instruments of opinion-correction honed and ready in their hands... Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away I'm glad you asked that question, Mad. This is the closest definition that Dictionary.com is able to supply: "meme /meem/ n. [coined by analogy with `gene', by Richard Dawkins] An idea considered as a replicator, esp. with the connotation that memes parasitize people into propagating them much as viruses do. Used esp. in the phrase `meme complex' denoting a group of mutually supporting memes that form an organized belief system, such as a religion. This lexicon is an (epidemiological) vector of the `hacker subculture' meme complex; each entry might be considered a meme. However, `meme' is often misused to mean `meme complex'. Use of the term connotes acceptance of the idea that in humans (and presumably other tool- and language-using sophonts) cultural evolution by selection of adaptive ideas has superseded biological evolution by selection of hereditary traits. Hackers find this idea congenial for tolerably obvious reasons." Hmmmm, seems I've been infected. Actually, Sarcasmo is the one to ask about "memes" - she's always using the term and long ago forced me to the dictionary in search of a suitable definition. Date Added: 21/03/2005
Mad Ok... So what on earth is Matthew on about? Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away Am honored indeed to have been memed by you, Matthew. Now I wait to see if my response is appropriate or not... ;) Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away Research on that continues, Mad. ;) Date Added: 21/03/2005
Matthew I'm-all-about: 20-something... Half-breed Irish-Yank/Iroquois (Yikes!)... New England born - escaped to the South... Self-educated... Moral/Social Conservative & Political Moderate... Baptist/Calvinist... Husband to one/father to two... HTML-impaired... Well-mannered... etc, etc. Pithy, but adequate. Date Added: 21/03/2005
Mad No not "all-about" but "on about", I don't get what being "memed" is or how one responds? Date Added: 21/03/2005
Gone Away I knew that. :D Well, most of it anyway... ;) Date Added: 21/03/2005
Matthew Sorry about the confusion, Mad. Basically, a meme is just one of those little Internet fads that everyone-and-their-mother can't help but forward to the next person until over-exposure is reached and the backlash begins. Were you ever privy to the "I Mahir, I kiss you!" or "All your base!" memes that were popular five or so years ago? It's like any joke, it starts out funny until everyone keeps parroting it over and over again - like lines from the film Napoleon Dynamite. Not sure if it's as big across the pond as it is here... Sorry for derailing your comment section, Clive. :) Date Added: 22/03/2005
Gone Away Hey, it all helps the stats, Matthew. ;) Date Added: 22/03/2005
Robotnik It's amazing good art still exists in the States. I'm happy you're digging it up for us. I could use any and all leads. I dig your blog. Will come back for more. lx Date Added: 22/03/2005
Gone Away I don't know that I'm digging it up, Robotnik - it was chance that brought me to this particular painting. Thank you for your kind words and may I say that your blog is excellent, a refreshing exception to the common run of mediocrity in the blogosphere. Date Added: 22/03/2005
Mad Hey thanks Matthew, now I get it. And don't worry about going off topic, my Dad's just happy to have people chatting here (it's all part of his dastardly plan to take over the world). I found that "I kiss you" site only a week ago and I've only known about the expression "All your base are belong to us" since getting into Halo online last year, so I think it's pretty safe to say that I'm a bit slow to catch memes... Date Added: 22/03/2005
Rusty My experience is that noone ever appreciates the things that really deserve it. Or if they do, rarely and begrudgingly. Date Added: 22/03/2005
Bill Longfellow Frederick Ragot painted from 1893 to 1942 - the year he died. He exhibited at Paris' Autumn Salon beginning in 1906. He was awarded bronze, silver, gold medals, the Prix Grande Cour and the prix de Raigecourt-Goyen for his paintings. Some were purchased by the city and some by the state. He was the subject of many magazine articles. He was represented by a p galleries in Paris and Switzerland. His teachers were very well known and there are photgraphs showing him associating with many better known artists. The portrait is indeed a very fine painting. It was purchased from a collection of English imports. Unfortunately there is no arist name visible. It will soon be cleaned and rechecked for a signature. I thank you for mentioning my house and paintings. I hope you will return and introduce yourself. We now have a website - marthavickhouse.com. Best regards, Bill Longfellow Date Added: 08/03/2006
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