Two examples of naturalistic paintings of a particular genre,
Example one
The artist and his wife and daughter c 1751-2 (oil on canvas) by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
This painting has more of a relaxed feeling. The painter shows husband and wife relaxing the latter taking on the role of the mother the child positioned between the two (the union). Gainsborough holds a piece of paper (an allusion to his work as an artist)- is sitting at the same level as his wife (Margaret Burr the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat) The child could possibly be their first child Mary who died in 1748. It is possibly that the painting was done in that year as a posthumous picture of her. This could explain the look of depressed distraction and the distance between each other (as if the child has come between them). Thomas looks past us, sadly, pointlessly, his red jacket not properly buttoned, his hat not positioned right. Margaret looks nowhere she holds a small posy of white flowers. The child is the only one that look at us holding what seems to be a stringed purse notice her rosy cheeks. The dog drinks from the pool
The landscape has a devastating reflection of their feelings, the tree they sit under is half bare the pool dreary the sky grey - suicidal.
Example 2
_-_The_Girl_With_The_Pearl_Earring_(1665)%5B1%5D.jpg)
Vermeer's art looks modern in someways almost photographic - the way the light gathers in bright intense areas, the sharp contrast, the dramatic perspective. Some art historians speculate he may have been a camera obsara! But we could be in danger of missing something if we imagine Vermeer as a photographer his realism (any realism) is not a blunt description of the world but an idea. (Jonathan Jones The Guardian 2/11/2002)
The unknown girl floats disconnected from everything around her including you. The power and presence in which she looks at you is incredible as she gazes wide eyed her sensual mouth parted. As the name suggests the pearl earring is the focal point. Vermeer depicts a beautiful young woman with a vibrant blue turban looking over her shoulder to see who is standing behind her (could it be Vermeer?). The luminous pearl earring hangs freely and motionless giving the impression of weight and volume. this complements the white collar of her dress.
The combination of the very dark background and the brilliant use of colour in the turban and subdued colours used in her face and dress draw the eye to the girl's intimate gaze.
The speculation as to who could have been the sitter for this painting was, or could have been a servant girl with whom Vermeer began a relationship and painted her wearing his wife's pearl earring.
next we go on to portrait photography formal and informal
Example 1
George Armstrong Custer and Elizabeth Bacon Custer 1860-1865
by Mathew B Brady 1822-1896
Like Gainsborough's paintings the subjects in this early photograph adopt a frontal view the sitters are
looking directly at the photographer and the posture is of the subjects is staged. The nature of the pose is similar to the immobility of most of Gainsborough's paintings (it is not natural). Elizabeth sitting hands together on lap straight backed, gown perfectly layed out. George standing in attendance to his wife one hand on the back of the chair the other behind his back neither have a smile (was this deemed improper in those days. I suppose this could have been a personal photo or one used to distribute to his followers.
Example 2
Untitled Firm Still no. 6 1977
by Cindy Sherman
Black and White
Sherman began making the sixty-nine photos in 1977, the first six were an experiment. Fan magazine glimpses into the roles of women played by Sherman herself. The photo looks like a movie still or a publicity pix purported to catch the blonde in an unguarded moment at home (this one lounging on the bed).
Sherman poses as a woman daydreaming, she holds a mirror, (a cliched symbol of vanity) in one hand
Momentarily her blank stare triggers a double-take could she become a victim of crime in a police photo killed by the mechanical gaze of the camera, or perhaps awaiting her lover!
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