I am from Massachusetts. My first (real) introduction to art (and design) came during a class I took in the summer of 2001. "Art and Architecture of Boston" was the course and it was like a 9 to 5 job that June. We attended a lecture in the morning, and traveled around the city in the afternoon. It was incredible!I would say the following three pieces describe me because I immediately felt a connection with them. The first (above), Childe Hassam's Boston Common at Twilight, reminds me of home. (Coincidentally, I lived for a short time at the corner of Boylston and Tremont-- the corner depicted in the distance of the painting.) I also had an obsession with the Boston public transit system, so I loved any reference to its early days.
We learned alot about Chicago in that class... much of it I admit I need a refresher on... a lot of talk about the Chicago School (of art? Or architecture? Or was it both?)... Anyway, I fell in love with Gustave Caillbotte's Paris Street, Rainy Day (below). I was thrilled when I got to see it (and Chicago!) in 2004.
We visited all the museums Boston has to offer, including of course Isabella Stewart Gardner's. I was struck by one of the first pieces as you enter-- John Singer Sargent's El Jaleo. My favorite thing about this piece is the scale-- it is huge! (Or it seems huge-- I believe the dimensions of the piece are 7' x 11'...)
Now, its been many years since I've seen it, but if I recall correctly, they have it hung at an angle (the piece falls slightly toward you) and it is lit from below... adding immensely to the drama that already exists in the piece.
And as for the terms we're suppose to incorporate here... well, I guess I'm not doing too well "incorporating" them as I am writing a separate paragraph! After viewing these three pieces on one page, I would say I am drawn to a certain style of work. I like pictures and paintings where the content depicts a cityscape, and I love darker colors. As all three of these images show people, I'd also say I like humanistic works. (Is that even the appropriate use the word humanistic?) Thanks for reading about some of my favorite pieces of art!
[I do not know why the second paragraph font will not change!
I have tried a dozen times now... Ggggrrr.]
