Since I haven't shown any in-progress work lately, I thought I'd post an image of what's on my easel right now. This is an 8 x 10 inch (20 x 25 cm) still life, in oil of course. At this point, the underpainting is complete, and some of the final color layer has been applied.
I've been grappling with kind of an interesting issue as I've painted this. A couple days ago, it struck me that the composition actually reminded me a lot of the classical sculpture Laocoön and His Sons.
Though I've never seen it in person, I've been familiar with it since I was a child. Subconscious imitation is not out of the question at all, though there isn't really anything special about that. The question for me to decide is how explicit of a connection to make, for instance by calling my painting "Laocoön" or some such.
On the one hand, I did not set out with the the sculpture specifically in mind, and I don't feel like I have anything particularly compelling to say about it. These kinds of grand historical allusions can come across as insufferably pompous, and that's the kind of thing I generally shy away from.
On the other hand, it is kind of a neat reference, almost an artistic pun. The Laocoön is probably my favorite sculpture from antiquity, and I certainly did enjoy being able to draw a line between it and what I've been working on.
In any event, it won't be finished for a while, so I don't have to decide anything today. In fact, I'll get back to work on it...
10 comments:
I love titles that allude.
If I see a connection (in this case the composition similarities) I do a bit of reading about what I want to allude to, Laocoon, and inevitably a title pops out at me.
And sometimes I'm so obtuse that the title is reduced to a private joke. But hey, I like to laugh, don't you?
Nice bondage-family...
great works!
I agree with you on this. Often our mind creates images that represent something which we will discover only much later in life.
It shows that you have a good memory, and a fine visual memory.
I found you via blogs of note - congrats on that!
Great works!
http://mr16bp.blogspot.com/
It's fantastic in person!!
Your work is lovely too.
And thanks for posting your cancer story. I'm sure it will help someone.
Jeff, I so agree with your comment about the typical classical allusions being a bit pompous, but in this case, I don't think that it would come off that way... mainly because you are aware of it. I'm sure something will pop into your head while you finish this that will act as a bridge between the historical reference and your own contemporary voice. Titles can add another layer to our work or not... it's your choice.
Also, I am grateful for you cancer post. My family has recently had several health scares that are still too fresh, and open to share. But your post gives me courage to do so... at some point.
May you live a long cancer free life and Happy Painting!
This is coming along just beautifully! I can only imagine the finished painting!Great as always!
Thank you all (belatedly)!
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