First Amendment Girl
@firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
1.7K followers 1.4K following 2.9K posts
Retired librarian, lifelong Democrat, 2nd Wave Feminist, living in Land of Enchantment. Art soothes my political anxiety.
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firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
A Remembered Muse (Tosca) by T. C. Cannon, 1978, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth University (Hanover, NH)

#ArtHistory #ContemporaryArt #NativeArt #NeoPopArt
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
The Balcony Room by Adolph Menzel, 1845, Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (Berlin, Germany)

#ArtHistory #Romanticism
Of all the examples of the painterly spontaneity of the young Menzel's art, The Balcony Room is one of the earliest and also most admired. Unlike contemporary Biedermeier interior views, this painting gives no conclusive information as to the room's aspect. Two-thirds of the surfaces are simply empty. It is only in the mirror that there is any detail: apetit-bourgeois inventory of the most mundane sort, oddly disarranged and far from homey. Large areas of the picture are "unfinished," which, in fact, means that the paint, not depicting something else, retains a life of its own. The actual theme of the painting is immaterial: strong light pours into the room with a gust of wind that blows the fine, white curtains inwards, and that is all the viewer discovers about the otherwise undefined outside world. A lack of consistency in observing precise perspectives, following the rules of linear construction, makes the floor appear to incline towards the viewer. This suggests different stages of perception simultaneously.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Absheron Still Life by Sattar Bahlulzade, 1973

#ArtHistory #ContemporaryArt #NeoImpressionism
This vibrant and expressive oil painting depicting a collection of everyday objects - a teapot, fruit, and a patterned tablecloth - set against a backdrop suggestive of Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan. The painting is characterized by bold colors, dynamic brushstrokes, and a sense of warmth and intimacy. Bahlulzade masterfully uses light and shadow to create depth and texture, imbuing the still life with a lively and almost celebratory atmosphere. The composition is not merely a representation of objects but a reflection of the artist's emotional connection to his homeland and its
simple pleasures.

Bahlulzade was a key figure in Azerbaijani modernism, and his work emerged during a period of significant artistic experimentation and national identity formation within the Soviet Union. His still lifes, while rooted in traditional genres, demonstrate a move towards expressive color and form, aligning with broader trends in post-impressionism and fauvism. He bridged the gap between traditional Azerbaijani art and modern European styles. The 1960s in Azerbaijan saw a "severe style" in art, but Bahlulzade's work, while not directly opposing it, offered a more lyrical and colorful alternative.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Sketch of Enamel Bowl by Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1899, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, NY)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #ArtNouveau
This drawing is unique to the Museum's collection because, unlike the Museum's other design drawings, it depicts an individual enamel object. In fact, it is the design drawing for the Museum's plum enamel bowl, which was originally in Tiffany's personal collection. The drawing illustrates the round repoussé enamel bowl decorated with plums and leaves in naturalistic and luminous tones. Various notations on the drawing list a numerical and letter code, enamel formulas, the total number of hours required to manufacture the bowl (50), and the name Julia Munson, the head of the enamel department.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Officers and Sergeants of the St. Hadrian Civic Guard by Frans Hals, 1633, Frans Hals Museum (Haarlem, Netherlands)

#ArtHistory #Baroque #DutchGoldenAge
This group portrait depicts the officers and sergeants of the St. Hadrian civic guard, a militia company in Haarlem. Unlike more formal and static group portraits the time, Hals captures a sense of dynamic movement and individual character. The men are shown in various poses, some conversing, others adjusting their weapons or clothing, creating a lively and engaging scene. The painting is notable for its loose brushwork and realistic depiction of light and shadow, which contribute to its vibrant and energetic quality. It's not a depiction of a specific event, but rather a representation of the company's readiness and collective identity.

Hals was a leading figure of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great prosperity and artistic achievement in the Netherlands during the 17th century. He was a master of portraiture, known for his ability to capture the personality and vitality of his subjects. This painting exemplifies the Dutch Baroque style, characterized by realism, dramatic lighting, and a focus on everyday life. It stands apart from the more idealized portraits common in other European courts, reflecting the Dutch Republic's emphasis on civic duty and republican values.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
The Quarrel by Frederic Remington, 1907, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (Oklahoma City, OK)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #Impressionism #Realism #AmericanRealism
In this 1907 painting, Remington captures the tension of a heated argument among cowboys at a chuck wagon camp. The dramatic composition with figures frozen in mid-gesture conveys both the camaraderie and volatility of life on the open range. First published as an illustration in Collier's Weekly on August 14, 1909, The Quarrel reflects Remington's ability to blend narrative storytelling with vivid depictions of Western life.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
He can have Kid Rock deliver it at Jason Adean half-time show
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
I like a nap like that on a road trip so I can ask the drive what state we're in
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Prisoners Exercising (Prisoners Round) by Vincent van Gogh, 1890, Pushkin Museum (Moscow, Russia)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #PostImpressionism
There is little doubt about the significance of this painting that was done in February 1890, at a particularly troubled time in Van Gogh's life. He was severely depressed and desperate to leave the stultifying environs of the asylum at Saint-Remy, but it had been decided that he would not be fit to cope alone until the spring. His feelings of being physically trapped and mentally caught in a perpetual cycle of mental illness beyond his control are clearly evident.

Prisoners Exercising was actually made after a print of Newgate Prison in London by Gustave Doré, whose work Van Gogh had admired for some years. Van Gogh had begun to collect graphic illustrations from magazines in the early 1880s, and added prints of Doumier, Paul Gavami and Doré to his collection. He then referred to these works in later years (as well as multiple prints of Millet's paintings), often making several copies of a single image. The prints were in block and white, so Van Gogh improvised with the color and gave the paintings his own visual interpretation.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Cut Peach, Blue Vase by Janet Fish, 1984, Private Collection (?)

#ArtHistory #ContemporaryArt #ContemporaryRealism
"Cut Peach, Blue Vase" is a vibrant and dynamic still life painting. The composition features as sliced peach, flesh rendered with luscious detail, longside cobalt blue vase. Light dramatically plays across the surfaces, creating reflections and highlights that emphasize the textures of the fruit, glass, and surrounding objects. The background is loosely defined, suggesting a domestic interior, but the focus remains firmly on the interplay of color and form. The painting is characterized by Fish's signature broken brushstrokes and a sense of energetic immediacy.

Fish emerged as a prominent figure in the late 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by a revival of figurative painting after the dominance of Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism. Her work is often associated with the "New Image" painting movement, which embraced representational imagery and a more expressive, painterly style. "Cut Peach, Blue Vase" reflects this trend, moving away from the conceptual concerns of earlier movements and focusing on the sensual qualities of paint and the beauty of everyday objects. It also aligns with the broader Postmodern interest in re-examining and re-interpreting traditional genres like
still life.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Sun on Prospect Street (Gloucester, Massachusetts) by Edward Hopper, 1934, Cincinnati Art Museum (Cincinnati, OH)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #Realism #AmericanRealism
Hopper believed that the key to a national art was the artist's engagement with American experience, a philosophy instilled by his teacher, Robert Henri. Hopper, however, rejected  Henri's brash, spontaneous technique as the means of capturing the modern spirit. Breaking with Henri's optimism, Hopper expressed the 20th century's profound loss of communication, particularly during the Great Depression.

Hopper painted this 1934 oil from a watercolor he made in 1928 in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a fishing port that had attracted artists since the mid-19th century. Here, Hopper replaced the airy freshness of the watercolor with the sharp, unforgiving light that pervades his canvases and heightens their enveloping emptiness. He eliminated such humanizing details as the window grilles and curtains recorded in the watercolor, thus amplifying the image's feeling of emptiness and strengthening the composition's abstract geometry.
Hopper was sensitive to old American architecture and recorded the houses on Prospect Street quite accurately. Yet he did not romanticize Gloucester as a quaint New England village. He oriented this work from a motorist's perspective and admired she modern design of automobiles; one in the foreground is described in his record book as a "touring car with canvas top." He also noted the "expanse of, pavement, oil stains down the center," astute and unglamorous observation of the modern world.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
The Roofs by Paul Cezanne 1876-1877, On permanent loan to the Villa Flora (Winterthur, Switzerland)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #PostImpressionism
Exemplifying the Post- Impressionist movement, this cityscape offers a unique perspective on urban architecture and the environment of that epoch. The genre of the artwork, cityscape, is a reflection of Cézanne’s interest in the structural composition and interplay of urban forms and color.

In “The Roofs,” the viewer is presented with an array of building tops interspersed with chimney stacks. The angle suggests a high vantage point, overlooking a dense arrangement of houses. Cézanne’s brushwork is visibly loose, giving life to the varying textures of the roofing materials and the walls. The color palette is somewhat subdued, with earthy tones dominating the scene, yet there are highlights of red on the rooftops and chimneys, indicating their earthenware material.

The sky in the artwork is depicted with broad, swirling brushstrokes, hinting at movement and a dynamic atmosphere. The clouds are rendered with a mixture of blues and greens, contributing to a sense of depth and volume.

Cézanne’s technique in applying paint creates a sense of abstraction while maintaining a recognizable depiction of the buildings. The buildings themselves are not detailed; rather, they are reduced to simple shapes and forms. This abstraction is one of the characteristics that align the artwork with the Post-Impressionist movement, which sought to move beyond the naturalism of Impressionism towards a more expressive and conceptual representation of subjects. 90s

Overall, “The Roofs” stands as a testament to Cézanne’s ability to transition from the fleeting moments captured by his Impressionist contemporaries to a more structured and enduring vision of the world, foreshadowing the eventual advent of Cubism and other modernist movements. The painting invites contemplation on the harmony between man-made structures and the enveloping skies, as interpreted through the distinctive Post-Impressionist lens of one of the late 19th century’s most influential artists.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Jeez. Not unfocused; unhoused. Thanks autocorrect
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Remember in Grapes of Wrath when the Joads get to the clean camp, run by the people who live there, where everyone has chores and work together. Remember how Ma Joad cried because they treat her like a person?

Why can't we do that for unfocused folks now?
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Approaching Rain, Southwest Texas by
Robert Julian Onderdonk, 1918, Witten Museum (San Antonio, TX)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #Impressionism #AmericanImpressionism
This painting depicts a dramatic Texas landscape under a stormy sky. Onderdonk masterfully captures the atmospheric effects of an approaching rainstorm, with dark, brooding clouds dominating the upper portion of the canvas. The land below is rendered in earthy tones, suggesting the arid terrain of Southwest Texas. The painting evokes a sense of anticipation and the raw power of nature. It's a prime example of Onderdonk's ability to convey the unique light and mood of the Texas landscape.

Onderdonk is considered the "Father of Texas Painting." His work falls within the broader context of American Impressionism and Tonalism, though developed a distinctly Texan style. He was a key figure in establishing a regional artistic identity for Texas, moving away from European influences and focusing on the unique qualities of the state's landscape. The painting was created during the period when artists were increasingly interested in capturing the effects of light and atmosphere, and in portraying the beauty of the American wilderness.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
April (The Green Gown) by Childe Hassam, 1920, Gibbes Museum of Art (Charleston, SC)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #Impressionism #AmericanImpressionism #TheTen
Despite academic training at the Académie Julian in Paris, Hassam gravitated to more avant-garde styles. He returned to America as a full-fledged "impressionist" and proceeded to receive acclaim for his city street scenes and American flag series. Hassam exhibited in the prestigious Armory Show of 1913, but eventually became a member of The Ten, a group artists who refused to exhibit in juried exhibitions. Hassam visited Charleston in 1925 and executed small group of etchings of popular sites including St. Philip's church. Based on the 19th-century style dress of the subject and the painting's original title, "April 1859," recent scholars believe that Hassam intended this painting as a portrayal of his mother, Rosa Hathorne Hassam, during her pregnancy. In April, Rosa would have been in her third month of pregnancy with her artist son born on October 17, 1859.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Daubigny's Garden by Vincent van Gogh, 1890, Currently on loan to Hiroshima Museum of Art (Hiroshima, Japan)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #PostImpressionism
This painting depicts the garden of Charles-François Daubigny, a fellow artist whom Van Gogh greatly admired, at Auvers-sur-Oise. It shows a vibrant, almost overwhelming profusion of flowers and foliage, rendered with energetic brushstrokes and a bold use of olor. Van Gogh captures the feeling of being immersed nature, focusing on the textures and patterns in the garden rather than a precise representation. The painting is notable for its flattened perspective and the almost abstract quality of the floral arrangements. It's one of several paintings Van Gogh made of Daubigny's garden during his time in
Auvers.

Painted in the final months of Van Gogh's life, Daubigny's Garden exemplifies the Post-Impressionist movement. It builds upon the Impressionists' interest in capturing fleeting moments and the effects of light, but moves towards a more subjective and emotionally charged expression. It foreshadows the development of Fauvism and Expressionism, with its bold colors and expressive brushwork. It represents the transition away from purely representational art towards a more personal and symbolic approach.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
An Elegant Young Lady with a Fur Hat by Gerda Wegener, 1918, Private Collection

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #ArtDeco
Belonging to the Art Deco movement, this piece exemplifies the genre of portraiture. The artwork depicts a young woman adorned in opulent winter attire, characterized by a luxurious fur hat and matching coat. The subject’s composed demeanor and elegantly arranged curls enhance the portrait’s refined aesthetic. The muted palette, with its subtle interplay of light and shadow, accentuates the texture of the fur and the delicate features of the young lady, reflecting Wegener’s adeptness in conveying both elegance and grace within the Art Deco style.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
The Stony Beach, Ogunquit by Maurice Prendergast, 1908, Private Collection

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #PostImpressionism #AmericanModernism
This dynamic composition depicts a summer scene on the rocky coast of Maine. The painting is characterized by its flattened perspective, decorative patterns, and lively arrangement of figures. Prendergast employs a mosaic-like technique, using small, distinct brushstrokes and patches of color to build up the image. Figures, likely vacationers, are scattered across the beach, engaged in leisure activities such as strolling, sitting, and observing the sea. The scene is filled with a sense of joyful energy and the pleasures of summertime. The artist focuses on the interplay of light and color, creating a visually stimulating and harmonious effect. The composition is not about realistic representation but rather about capturing the *feeling* of a summer day at the beach. The use of color and pattern is highly stylized, moving away from traditional representational painting towards a more abstract and decorative approach. The painting's surface is rich and textured, inviting close inspection.

Prendergast was a key figure in the development of American Modernism, bridging the gap between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism and paving the way for abstract expressionism. "The Stony Beach, Ogunquit" exemplifies the shift away from traditional academic painting towards a more subjective and expressive style. It reflects the influence of artists ike Matisse and the Fauves with its emphasis on color and pattern. The painting emerged during a period of rapid social and cultural change in the United States, as the country moved towards greater industrialization and urbanization. Prendergast's work, however, focused on leisure and the pleasures of everyday life, offering a counterpoint to the anxieties of the
modern age.

For most recent sale price, provenance, and more see https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-2050470
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Synagogue by Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, c. early 1900s, Lithuanian Art Museum (Vilnius, Lithuania)

##ArtHistory #ModernArt #Symbolism
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Fisherman Kræn Wollesen Mending the Net by Anna Ancher, 1892, Skagen Museum (Skagen, Denmark)

#ArtHistory #ModernArt #Realism #SkagenPainters
This painting depicts the fisherman Kræn Wollesen, a local figure from Skagen, Denmark, meticulously mending his fishing net. The scene is bathed in soft, natural light, characteristic of Ancher's style, and focuses on the everyday life and labor of the fishing community. The  composition is intimate, drawing the viewer into the quiet concentration of the fisherman. The muted color palette and realistic depiction emphasize the harsh realities and humble dignity of life at sea.

Ancher was a prominent figure in the Skagen Painters (Skagensmalerne) movement, a group of artists who gathered in Skagen, Denmark, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This movement was part of the broader Realist and Naturalist trends in European art, rejecting Romantic idealism in favor of depicting everyday life and the natural world with accuracy and honesty. The Skagen Painters were also influenced by Impressionism, particularly n their use of light and color. This work exemplifies the shift away from historical or mythological subjects between scenes of contemporary life.
firstamendmentgirl.bsky.social
Jesus, Tressie. That seems like exactly the wrong way to ask for something. Like insulting you and getting away with it isn't favor enough!