Who's Who in Renoir's The Luncheon of the Boating Party

First, here's a link to Renoir's The Luncheon of the Boating Party on the website of the Phillips Collection which I featured in my post on Tuesday. http://www.phillipscollection.org/collection/boating/index.aspx

Second, on Tuesday I mentioned that art history people know the identity of all the people pictured in Renoir's The Luncheon of the Boating Party. Here's a link to the info. http://www.phillipscollection.org/collection/boating/whoswho.aspx Also, I'm including the diagram here, and the text below.

"The Luncheon of the Boating Party includes youthful, idealized portraits of Renoir's friends and colleagues as they relax at the Maison Fournaise restaurant. Wearing a top hat, the amateur art historian, collector, and editor Charles Ephrussi (8) speaks with a younger man in a more casual brown coat and cap. He may be Ephrussi's personal secretary, Jules Laforgue (5), a poet and critic.

At center, the actress Ellen Andrée (6) drinks from a glass. Across from her in a brown bowler hat is Baron Raoul Barbier (4), a bon vivant and former mayor of colonial Saigon. He is turned toward the smiling woman at the railing, thought to be Alphonsine Fournaise (3), the proprietor's daughter. She and her brother, Alphonse Fournaise, Jr. (2), who handled the boat rentals, wear straw boaters'. They are placed within, but at the edge of, the party. At the upper right, the artist Paul Lhote (12) and the bureaucrat Eugène Pierre Lestringuez (11) seem to be flirting with actress Jeanne Samary (13).

In the foreground, Renoir included a youthful portrait of his fellow artist, close friend, and wealthy patron, Gustave Caillebotte (9), who sits backwards in his chair and is grouped with the actress Angèle (7) and the Italian journalist Maggiolo (10). Caillebotte, an avid boatman and sailor, wears a white boater's shirt and flat-topped boater's. He gazes at a young woman cooing at her dog. She is Aline Charigot (1), a seamstress Renoir had recently met and would later marry. "

You can view some of my shaped 3-D paintings on my website at www.jayrolfe.com/.

El Greco and Goya at the Phillips

The Phillips Collection, which I visited on Saturday in Washington DC, calls itself "a museum of both modern art and its sources." Some of its sources are old masters including El Greco and Goya who painted the same dramatic subject, "The Repentant St. Peter," about 200 years apart.

The top painting is by Doménikos Theotokópoulos, known as El Greco, painted in 1600-1605. The lower painting is by Francisco Jose de Goya painted in 1820-1824. They are displayed in the same huge gallery with a number of other older paintings by famous artists, but at different ends of the gallery. Both are very powerful paintings when seen in person. I hope you take the opportunity to see them at the Phillips Collection.

You can view some of my 3-D mixed media paintings on my website at www.jayrolfe.com/.

Phillips Collection, Renoir

On Saturday I visited the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. I was struck again by what is perhaps their most famous painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It is large, animated, brilliantly colored, and depicts a fun scene with recognizable people (if you've studied impressionist art history) painted in 1880-1881. Every time I visit the Phillips Collection I am wowed by this painting. It's beautiful!

Of course, there are many other great paintings in the collection, ones you will recognize from art books you may have seen.

You can see some of my 3-D paintings on my website at www.jayrolfe.com/.

Gene Davis "Black Popcorn"

Gene Davis was a Washington DC painter who died in 1985 and was known for his colorful striped paintings. This example was at the recent "American Evolution" exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery. Davis painted "Black Popcorn" in 1965. The Phillips Collection, also in Washington DC, has a number of colorful Davis striped canvases.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative Pop Art 3-D paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Rothko "Mulberry And Brown"

Mark Rothko's "Mulberry And Brown" from 1958 at the Corcoran Gallery seen recently by artist Jay Rolfe is rather dark and the colors are dull. Jay Rolfe prefers the brighter colors of Rothko's four paintings at the Phillips Collection which appeared in this blog on April 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2008. You may scroll down to compare the paintings for yourself.

The photo of the day is of Mark Rothko's "Mulberry And Brown."

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative Pop Art 3-D paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Where's the Beef?

Well, the big slab of ham is front and center and very prominent in Paul Gauguin's painting from 1889 "Still Life With Ham" which artist Jay Rolfe saw on a recent visit to the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. The yellow walls reflecting on the painting make it look yellower than it actually is.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative Pop Art 3-D paintings, many on shaped stretched canvas, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Clyfford Still at the Phillips Collection

Clyfford Still often does huge paintings in big patches of black and color with a jagged edge between them. Artist Jay Rolfe saw this one at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC recently. It is titled "1950 B" and, guess what, was painted in 1950. Sorry for the glare reflecting off the surface. The photo of the day is Clyfford Still's "1950 B."

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

"Dancers At The Barre" by Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas often painted ballet subjects. Artist Jay Rolfe saw a particularly nice one at the Phillips Collection recently, "Dancers At The Barre" painted in 1900. It's today's photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Paul Cezanne

Jay Rolfe saw a very good "Self Portrait" by Paul Cezanne painted in 1878-1880 at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. This photo looks a little more yellow than the actual painting because of the reflections from the surrounding yellow wall.

Paul Cezanne holds a special affinity for Jay Rolfe because they both gave up law for art. Rolfe is happy he has more hair than Cezanne does in this painting. Cezanne's "Self Portrait" is the photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Georges Braque

Artist Jay Rolfe compares this 1927 Georges Braque painting "Still Life with Grapes and Clarinet" with the other two at the Phillips Collection, "The Round Table" of 1929 and "The Shower" of 1952. You will find them on the posts of April 22, 2008 and April 23, 2008. "Still Life with Grapes and Clarinet" is somewhat cubist, a movement Braque along with Picasso originated 30 years earlier. It is today's photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Pablo Picasso "Bullfight"

"Bullfight" by Pablo Picasso in 1934 impressed artist Jay Rolfe at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC recently. It's a very dramatic painting and full of action in the bull ring. It's today's photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Horace Pippin "Domino Players"

One of the paintings artist Jay Rolfe viewed at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC was by an artist who was born, lived, and died in West Chester PA, the same town Jay Rolfe lives in. His name is Horace Pippin and he painted "Domino Players" in 1943. Pippin was injured in WWI in his right shoulder (he was right handed), was disabled, and later took up painting supporting his right arm with his left hand while he painted. He was "discovered" by a West Chester collector who got him a dealer and some shows. The dealer sold several paintings to Alfred Barnes and there are now 3 in the Barnes Collection now. He also showed 4 paintings at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

Horace Pippin was a self-taught artist, as is Jay Rolfe. Pippin lived and worked in West Chester PA, as does Jay Rolfe.

"Domino Players" by Horace Pippin is todays photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

"Green and Tangerine on Red" by Mark Rothko

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

The fourth of 4 Rothko paintings in the Rothko Room viewed by Jay Rolfe at the Phillips Collection is "Green and Tangerine on Red" painted in 1956. The others were painted in 1953, 1954, and 1957. This one is on the left wall from the door, opposite "Green and Maroon." This photo is also a little blurred, a result of no flash and a handheld camera in a dimly lit room. In fact, with the poor lighting, it's amazing the photos came out as well as they did.

The point of the Rothko room is to provide an environment so the viewer can have an experience viewing them. The Rothko room suceeds in the eyes of artist Jay Rolfe. The paintings are such an overwhelming presence in the room that one can't ignore them, and one can have the intimate experience the artist and the gallery intended.

This post completes the 4 Mark Rothko paintings of the Rothko room at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. The other 3 were posted the past 3 days.

"Ochre and Red on Red" by Mark Rothko

Today Jay Rolfe posts the third of 4 paintings from the Rothko room of the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. "Ochre and Red on Red" was painted in 1954 and was displayed on the near end wall of the room. The colors were quite dramatic. It was quite an experience sitting on the bench, the only furniture, in the middle of the small room only a few feet from the large painting, and experiencing it. It's today's photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Mark Rothko "Green and Maroon"

Artist Jay Rolfe viewed all 4 of Mark Rothko's paintings in the Rothko room of the Phillips Collection. The one featured in yesterday's post, "Orange and Red on Red," was at the far end of the room from the entrance. This one, "Green and Maroon," was on the right hand wall. The photo is a little blurry, due to no flash permitted and handheld camera only, as you can see by comparing with yesterday's post.

"Green and Maroon" painted in 1953 is the first of these 4 painted by Rothko. Here is today's photo of the day, Rothko's "Green and Maroon."

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Mark Rothko "Orange and Red on Red"

Jay Rolfe was impressed with the Rothko room at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. It was a small, poorly lit room with 4 large Rothko paintings, one on each wall. The idea was a place to contemplate the paintings. Rothko said he painted large pictures to be "intimate," so the viewer would feel like he was in it rather than outside the experience. Rothko said he was expressing basic human emotions, and that the "people who weep before my pictures are having the same religious experience I had when I painted them."

Today's photo is one of the 4 large Rothko paintings in the Rothko room, "Orange and Red on Red." It does really seem to require large size and an in person viewing experience to appreciate it. It was painted in 1957.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Piet Mondrian "Painting No. 9"

Piet Mondrian is one of Jay Rolfe's favorite modern painters. His signature paintings of a white square, rectangle, or diamond set off with some black lines and small blocks of color in one or more of red, yellow, and blue (the primary colors) are simplicity itself. The Mondrian at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC has more black lines than most, but still fits the signature style. It was painted from 1939-1942 and is titled "Painting No. 9."

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Henri Matisse "Interior With Egyptian Curtain"

The second Matisse painting at the Phillips Collection that artist Jay Rolfe saw recently is the 1948 painting "Interior With Egyptian Curtain." It's also a large painting, as is the painting of yesterday's post "Studio, Quai St. Michel," and again features an interior and an outdoor landscape seen through a window. "Interior With Egyptian Curtain" is remarkable because it was painted in 1948, a time late in Matisse's life when he was sickly and did little artistically besides cut-outs. It's today's photo of the day.

Artist Jay Rolfe has a special appreciation of legendary painter Henri Matisse because he gave up law to pursue art as did Jay Rolfe.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Henri Matisse "Studio, Quai St. Michel"

Artist Jay Rolfe viewed Henri Matisse's 1916 painting "Studio, Quai St. Michel" at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC recently. It contains a recurrent theme, a window which reveals the outside. This was mentioned in Monday's post (4/21/08) of Pierre Bonnard's "The Open Window," along with the use of a variety of colorful patterns. Another familiar element of "Studio, Quai St. Michel" is the reclining nude. This is a quite large canvas, and very impressive when seen in person. It is today's photo of the day.

Artist Jay Rolfe has a special appreciation of Henri Matisse as well as Pierre Bonnard, both the legendary painters mentioned in today's post, because both gave up law to pursue art as did Jay Rolfe.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Georges Braque "The Shower"

Artist Jay Rolfe has seen a lot of Georges Braque paintings. MoMA has quite a few from his cubist period and shortly after. "The Shower" which is in the Phillips Collection in Washington DC was painted in 1952. Rolfe doesn't recall seeing a painting from this late in his career. And it's clearly recognizable as a landscape. It's the photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.