Lovely stuff, Chris and Laura, but Manet was no more creepy than any other male of his day. His 'Olympia' is all about woman taking charge of their lives. He painted Laure (the African servant) three times, once in a portrait. He respected her.
S'truth, brother Jack. I think Manet was more cranky than creepy. Though not sure of your reading of 'Olympia' being "all about woman (or women?) taking charge of their lives." I'd say it's more complicated. As was Manet's relationship with his 'Olympia', Victorine Meurent, who sat (or lay down) for him on at least three occasions, and with whom he broke relations when she started painting -- and was good at it. That's taking charge. As for Laure, check out Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby's 2015 essay "Still Thinking about Olympia's Maid" (https://www.jstor.org/stable/43947753?typeAccessWorkflow=login) and Denise Murrell's "Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today" (2014), which was also a spectacular exhibit at the Musée d'Orsay in 2019 -- and at the Met before that.
I loved this piece. I'll never be able to look at a Manet again without thinking of him as a creep. I have three fur coats (all hand-me-downs) and only 3 pairs of stockings, so I'm way short on being able to be properly dressed. I'm dying to use the word "gumchewerish" and I'm sure you had to bite your tongue not to coin "over-elaborate bewhiskyment," which can happen. Now why don't you do THE OBVIOUS and write us a book about Paris? You've got one chapter in the bag right here. Onwards!
Lovely stuff, Chris and Laura, but Manet was no more creepy than any other male of his day. His 'Olympia' is all about woman taking charge of their lives. He painted Laure (the African servant) three times, once in a portrait. He respected her.
S'truth, brother Jack. I think Manet was more cranky than creepy. Though not sure of your reading of 'Olympia' being "all about woman (or women?) taking charge of their lives." I'd say it's more complicated. As was Manet's relationship with his 'Olympia', Victorine Meurent, who sat (or lay down) for him on at least three occasions, and with whom he broke relations when she started painting -- and was good at it. That's taking charge. As for Laure, check out Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby's 2015 essay "Still Thinking about Olympia's Maid" (https://www.jstor.org/stable/43947753?typeAccessWorkflow=login) and Denise Murrell's "Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today" (2014), which was also a spectacular exhibit at the Musée d'Orsay in 2019 -- and at the Met before that.
Sazeracs are what the gods would have drunk if only they'd made mixology the portfolio of one of their peers.
Is there not a god a God of cocktails? Or a goddess?
I mean, they did sex, war and wine. How could they have missed cocktails?
This makes me miss Paris and you and C all the more. As if that were possible.
I loved this piece. I'll never be able to look at a Manet again without thinking of him as a creep. I have three fur coats (all hand-me-downs) and only 3 pairs of stockings, so I'm way short on being able to be properly dressed. I'm dying to use the word "gumchewerish" and I'm sure you had to bite your tongue not to coin "over-elaborate bewhiskyment," which can happen. Now why don't you do THE OBVIOUS and write us a book about Paris? You've got one chapter in the bag right here. Onwards!
Thank you LC. "Gumchewerish" is indeed one to use (just don't step in it). But "bewhiskyment!" Too good. That's why they pay you the big bucks.
I don't believe for one second that you didn't think of it first.
Wonderful
What a perfect article - for a mild Sunday hangover
So good -
As and aside Mr Mooney there a is either a fascinating walking or bike tour hiding within todays article.
Thank you again
Jake!