Art Crush: Alexandre Cabanel

Through work I stumbled upon an artist who I had not thought about for years and who I had  briefly studied whilst at school. This artist sums up 19th Century French academic style (the kind of reserved, methodical approach that the French Impressionists believed was repressing artistic and social expression). This was of course Alexandre Cabanel, who epitomised the 'high art' ideals of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He had won the Prix de Rome by the tender age of twenty-two and was awarded the Grande Medaille D'Honneur no less than three times. His models were Classical ideals of beauty, aloof and mystical. His most famous and iconic work was 'The Birth of Venus', 1863, which was bought by Emperor Napoleon III.

'The Birth of Venus' 1863

Although this portrait is unbelievably 'fake' and rather ridiculously sentimental, I cant help but love it. Its so other worldy, and so sumptuously painted that the Venus's body looks like icing on a cake.

'The Daughter of Jephthah' 1879

Again with the mystical beauty. Reminds me of the Pre-Raphaelite approach to their female subjects, remote, removed and never in the same realm as the spectator.

'Echo' 1887

In this work it is amazing to see how the figure's flesh can be seen through the iridescent cloth covering her body. Despite her strong pose, it makes her appear vulnerable, especially as she seems to cower against the rock.  Here are a few more:

'Phedre' 1880

'The Masked Beauty'

I could go on, I think I may be obsessed...

Art Crush: William Dobson

Apologies for the lack of posts recently, dissertation lock down has only come to be replaced with finals lock down! Only two weeks to go and then frequent posting shall resume.

Meanwhile, in the course of my revision I have discovered by latest artist obsession in the work of one William Dobson. Dobson was Charles I's principle portraitist who painted the monarch and his followers during the Civil War. For me, his works have a bold brilliancy that is utterly captivating. Dobson used simple compositions, quite different from the often outrageously ostentatious ensembles that were favoured by Van Dyck; who he was greatly inspired by. You can see his self portrait here:

 Dobson was clearly inspired by Van Dyck's self portrait, which belongs to the Philip Mould Gallery. Nice frame huh?!

Below is one of Dobson's portrait of Charles I's most loyal cavaliers, Colonel Richard Neville, painted c.1643. Dobson often adopted simple yet effective symbolism to show the beliefs of the sitter. Here Neville is seen swathed in the bright red cloth that showed him as an out-and-proud Royalist. His helmet and gun are ready to be picked up and taken out to the battle field which is depicted behind him. The dog represents loyalty to the crown.

Finally, this is my favourite. Check out Lord Byron's ancestor! Another clear reference to Van Dyck in the column and the horse. Here Byron is showing off the war scar on his face, and pointing down to the battle scene with his baton of office. Instead of actually joining in the battle of course.