martedì 12 novembre 2013

The sunny side of English Victorian domestic life: George Dunlop Leslie.





Apple Dumplings




La quieta, accogliente, calda atmosfera delle case della campagna inglese durante il periodo tardo ottocentesco, proprio questo clima avvolgente, pacato, caratterizzato da un tempo che quasi scorre lento e cadenzato, capace di rasserenare l'animo, affascinava ed ispirava George Dunlop Leslie che vi dedicò addirittura un ciclo pittorico; dipinti come fotografie che immortalano scene quotidiane, dipinti semplici che ritraggono la spontaneità di momenti domestici, ma con un'attenzione ai particolari ed alla luce che solamente le moderne fotocamere non si lasciano sfuggire:

i petali sparsi sul setto del divano, dove probabilmente era stato prima posato il piccolo mazzo di fiori gialli



                                      
Alice in Wonderland




l'acqua gocciolata fuori dal catino che fa specchio sul tavolo




                                              This is the Way we Wash or Clothes




la luce del sole che, filtrando attraverso le chiome del melo, raggiunge il lenzuolo disteso e la gonna della fanciulla che ne sta raccogliendo i frutti 




                                                   Daghters of Eve                                                     




ed ancora l'acqua nella boccia del pesce rosso che il venditore mostra cercando, con sguardo ammiccante, di persuadere ad acquistare;




The Goldfish Seller




consuetudini che diventano poesia su tela,





                               Her First Place                      






                                                       Kept in School                                                         






                                Sally in Our Alley                                     




soprattutto quelle caratterizzanti il periodo vittoriano, quali quella del "tea time"





Five O'Clock






Tea




quella del giardinaggio, il raccogliere e conservare i fiori in casa;




The Young Gardener






Sun and Moon Flowers






The Language of Flowers






The Lass of Richmond Hill




e momenti occasionali, eccezionali, riprodotti per essere conservati come ricordo




Frozen Out






News from Abroad






Fortunes






Ten Minutes to Decide






The Town and the Country Mouse






Rose Queen



attimi ...





 Pot Pourri






Mollie - In silence I stood your unkindness to hear






Roses




che solo l'arte è capace di rendere ...
Perchè l'arte, quella vera, vede e sa cogliere frammenti di tempo che spesso fuggono ai nostri occhi di 'comuni mortali'.


Scriveva Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900):

Nessun grande artista vede mai le cose come realmente sono.

Se lo facesse, cesserebbe di essere un artista.




Un'ultima cosa mi preme farvi notare: spesso vi è nei suoi dipinti chi rivolge lo sguardo verso il pittore quasi ad osservarlo, proprio come accade di vedere in una fotografia, come se il pittore fosse davvero presente e fosse scorto, ma, dallo sguardo così trasognato e quasi assente di chi viene ritratto, sembra forse che voglia farci intendere che la sua presenza è solamente intuita .. è come se presente fosse non lui, ma la sua 'percezione' artistica che da qualcuno, particolarmente attento e ricettivo è avvertita .. non a caso, si tratta quasi sempre di fanciulli. ( Quella del ritrarre volti che rivolgono lo sguardo verso l'osservatore è una tendenza che si osserva anche in altri pittori del tempo, talvolta, per esempio, vi ricorre Marcus Stone che alla soavità quasi romanzesca dell'affettività preferì trasporre sulla tela il culto dei sentimenti amorosi, tanto caro al romanticismo tardo ottocentesco ).




Home, Sweet Home






Cowslips




Si potrebbe perciò collocare la sua espressione pittorica tra il realismo ottocentesco e quello fotografico che stava allora prendendo campo tentando alla pittura di sostituirsi, anche se, pur da amante della fotografia, mi sento di dire che l'espressività di un volto e i colori di un paesaggio su tela, quanto a suggestività, nulla hanno a che spartire con quelli di una riproduzione fotografica anche se perfettamente aderente alla realtà.
E prima di salutarci lasciate che vi faccia conoscere più da vicino quest'artista dalla sorprendente genialità.



Geoge Dunlop Leslie nasce il 5 Giugno del 1835 nella Londra vittoriana che a tanti artisti famosi diede i natali, figlio del pittore Charles Robert e nipote di Robert, anche lui, come il fratello, dedito alle arti grafiche.
Condusse i propri studi dapprincipio presso la Cary's Art Academy e quindi, dal 1854 alla già rinomata Royal Academy, di cui divenne membro associato (ARA) nel 1868 e pienamente riconosciuto accademico (AR) nel 1876.
Come la maggior parte degli artisti vittoriani anche Leslie subì l'influenza dei preraffaelliti, ma si distaccò da loro assumendo nei confronti della pittura un atteggiamento più estetico, ritrattistico, intimo, realistico: a dipinti da contemplare quasi catarticamente attinti da miti e leggende egli preferì scene di tranquilla vita familiare, affreschi di focolari domestici e scene campestri per mostrare il lato più ridente della vita domestica nella sua Inghilterra Vittoriana spesso con l'ausilio di figure adolescenziali o infantili, elemento grandemente apprezzato dal critico d'arte John Ruskin: nel dipinto "Alice in Wonderland" è la sua Alice che ha ritratto, sua figlia.
Egli non fu solo pittore, ma anche autore di testi a sfondo autobiografico, in cui descrive la natura e la vita dei luoghi in cui abitò, che egli stesso illustrava: Our River del 1888, Letters to Marco del 1893, Riverside Letters del 1896; nel 1914 scrisse anche un autorevole tomo sui primi anni della Royal Academy dal titolo The inner life of the Royal Academy e come tutti i più grandi artisti fu anche un appassionato giardiniere.
George Dunlop Leslie si spegnerà a Wallingford-on-Thames nella sua dimora situata in prossimità del fiume in Thames Street, dove risiedeva da tempo, il 21 Febbraio 1921, all'età di 85 anni. 



A presto miei cari 





Dany








- picture 1 - Apple Dumplings



The quiet, cozy, warm atmosphere of the English countryside houses during the late XIXth century, precisely this enveloping atmosphere, calm, characterized by a time which almost runs slowly and rhythmic, able to cheer the soul up, fascinated and inspired George Dunlop Leslie who at it even dedicated a series of paintings, paintings as photographs that immortalize scenes of everyday life, simple paintings depicting the spontaneity of domestic moments, but with an attention to details and the light that only nowadays cameras don't let escape:


scattered petals on the septum of the sofa, where it was probably first put down the small bouquet of yellow flowers,



- picture 2 - Alice in Wonderland



the water dripped out of the basin making mirror on the table,



- picture 3 - This is the Way we Wash or Clothes



the sunlight, filtering through the foliage of the apple tree, reaches the sheet lying and the skirt of the girl who's reaping the fruits



- picture 4 - Daghters of Eve



and again the water in the goldfish bowl that the seller shows, looking for, with winking eyes, to persuade to buy;



- picture 5 - The Goldfish Seller



habits which become poetry on canvas,



- picture 6 - Her first place


- picture 7 - Kept in school


- picture 8 - Sally in Our Alley



especially those characterizing the Victorian period, such as that of "tea time"



- picture 9 - Five O'Clock


- picture 10 - Tea



that of gardening, of collecting and preserving flowers in the house;



- picture 11 - The young gardener


- picture 12 - Sun and moon flowers


- picture 13 - The language of flowers


- picture 14 - The Lass of Richmond Hill



and occasional exceptional  moments, reproduced to be kept as memories,



- picture 15 - Frozen Out


- pcture 16 - News from Abroad


- picture 17 - Fortunes


- picture 18 - Ten Minutes to Decide


- picture 19 - The Town and the Country Mouse


- picure 20 - Rose Queen



instants ...



- picture 21 - Pot Pourri


- picture 22 - Mollie - In silence I stood your unkindness to hear


- picture 23 - Roses



that only art is capable of catching ...

Because art, the real one, sees and is able to capture fragments of time which often escape our mere mortals's eyes .

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) wrote :

No great artist ever sees things as they really are.

If he did, he would stop to be an artist.



One more thing I would like you to note: in his paintings there's often who turns his gaze toward the painter almost to observe him, just as you see in a photograph, as if the painter was indeed present and were seen, but from who's portrayed look, so dreamy and almost absent, it seems maybe he wants us to understand that his presence is just percieved .. it is as if this wasn't him, but his  'artistic perception ' by someone, particularly attentive and receptive is felt .. not surprisingly, they're almost always children. ( That of portray faces that have turned their gaze toward the viewer is a trend that we may also observe in other painters of the time, sometimes, for example, Marcus Stone has resorted to it, he, who, to the  almost novelistic sweetness of the affectivity, preferred to transpose on canvas the cult of the feelings of love, so dear to the late XIXth century romanticism ).



- picture 24 - Home, Sweet Home


- picture 25 - Cowslips



And so we could place his pictorial expression between the XIXth century realism and the photograph that was then taking field trying to replace the painting, though, even as lover of photography, I want to say that the expression of a face and the colors of landscape on canvas, as to suggestiveness, have nothing in common with those of a photographic reproduction even if perfectly realistic.
And before we say goodbye let me give you know more about this artist by the amazing genius.


- portrait on the left - Geoge Dunlop Leslie was born on June 5 , 1835 in the Victorian London that several famous artists gave birth, son of the painter Charles Robert and grandson of Robert, like his brother, devoted to the graphic arts .
He conducted his studies first at Cary's Art Academy and then, from 1854, to the already renowned Royal Academy, of which became an associate member (ARA) in 1868 and fully accredited academic (AR) in 1876.
Like most Victorian artists Leslie also came under the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites, but broke away from them taking a more aesthetic attitude, preferring portraiture, intimate, realistic paintings: to those to contemplate almost cathartically drawn from myths and legends he preferred scenes of quiet family life, frescoes of domestic life and rural scenes to show the most pleasant side of domestic life in his charming Victorian England often with the help of adolescent or child, element greatly appreciated by the art critic John Ruskin: in the painting " Alice in Wonderland" that's his Alice he portrayed, his daughter .
He wasn't only a painter but also author of autobiographical texts in which he describes the nature and the life of the places where he lived, which he illustrated : Our River, 1888, Letters to Marco, 1893, Riverside Letters, 1896; in 1914 he wrote an authoritative Volume on the early years of the Royal Academy entitled The inner life of the Royal Academy, and like every greatest artists he was also a keen gardener.
George Dunlop Leslie will pass away in Wallingford -on-Thames in his home located near the river in Thames Street, where he resided for some time, February 21st, 1921, at the age of 85.

23 commenti:

  1. Such beautiful images, and a gorgeous quote by Oscar Wilde. :)
    George Dunlop Leslie's style of paintings and his subjects are just so charming!
    I would love to own a print of almost any these delightful paintings.
    Happy day to you, Daniela. xo

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Kia
      you have to know that I love these beautiful paintings because they reflect for me an ideal, idyllic atmosphere that reassures me as certain pieces of classical music or reading some poems, abstracting me for a few unnoticeable moment from reality .. and I never get tired of watching them!
      Well, I must confess you that I'd be satisfied to have even only one reproduction hanging on a wall :)
      ✽ With a hug I wish you a peaceful and joyful evening ✽

      Elimina
  2. Le tue pagine hanno una cura e una poesia non comuni,.Che belle!Allietano questo pomeriggio di pioggia!Un abbraccio
    Lorenza

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Lorenza
      vorrei che solo potessi immaginare cosa provo nel leggere le tue parole ... rincasare dopo una giornata faticosa, aprire il blog e scoprire di essere stata pensata è già motivo di grande gioia e poi con parole così dolci e generose, il cuore si riconforta e la stanchezza quasi scompare.
      Io avrò allietato il tuo pomeriggio ieri, tu il mio oggi e te ne sono grata cara, grazie di cuore!
      Ti auguro un bellissimo weekend, che sia di relax o di lavoro, non importa: spesso io dedico il weekend a quei lavori che durante la settimana non riesco a curare, è sempre un lavorare, sì, ma lo spirito nel fine settimana è differente ;)
      ❖ Ricambio con affetto il tuo abbraccio ❖

      Elimina
  3. Wonderful paintings of a great artist ... lovely post, Dany !
    And I love Oscar Wilde's quote ... so beautiful !
    I wrote it down ...
    Have a nice weekend,
    Sylvia

    Have a nice weekend,
    Sylvia

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Sylvia
      I'm far too glad you also like George Dunlop Leslie's paintings, and the Wilde's quote too, it's a joy sharing, one of the biggest joy of having a website such ours are !
      Hope you're spending a very happy saturday ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  4. Oh my goodness, I do wish that I could paint!
    These are so very beautiful, Dany.
    My absolute favorite is the little girl and the washbowl. Such a beautiful image, and I love her expression.

    I wish you a most wonderful week ahead, my dear friend. xo.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Lisa
      it's true that I love all of them, but the one you prefer is my favourite too, this lovely little girl's expression has a so sweet light full of joy, of childlike ingenuity, an expression and a gaze that I think isn't far too common even in reality ...
      I've read that in the early 1900th this picture has been used to sponsor a soap: as you can see we aren't the first and the only ones to be fond of this little adorable housewife ;)
      Oh, I was forgetting to say that you also are a painter, somehow, with your charming photographs!
      A hug with affection, dear Lisa ♥

      Elimina
  5. Dear Daniela:
    I have always loved Victorian pictures and have quite a few prints myself and faux oils. There is something so restful about them! I loved this post! Thanks for sharing and linking.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Bernideen
      I love and esteem you for this also, my Lovely Lady !

      Sending blessings on the remainder of your week ಌ❀ಌ

      Elimina
  6. Beatiful pictures as always. I couldn't decide on a favorite but really liked the "young gardener" and the "sun and moon flowers." Thanks for sharing.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Beth
      it is I who have to thank you, my darling friend, both for visiting and for enjoying this post of mine, your amusement is my gladness !

      Hope your week is off to a great start, I wish you wonderful days to come, sweetie, thinking of you with love and thankfulness ❤*❤

      Elimina
  7. I always love to see your wonderful artwork choices Daniela! Such a delight! The Tea with the transfer ware teapot is a favorite of mine. Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Ruth
      you're always so heartily welcome, my sweetest friend, it's such a delight to me to have you here !
      Linking my posts to your wonderful party is my pleasure, believe me !

      Enjoy the remainder of your week,
      sending blessings of joy to you ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  8. These paintings are so lovely, Dany - I enjoyed every one! Oh, how I wish we could still wear the lovely dresses and hairstyles today. I love the perspective of this artist, seeming to be noticed, but as a bystander to these simple domestic duties. Yes, life is not always so perfect, but we must find beauty wherever we can. Sending you hugs and blessings for a beautiful week. xo Karen

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Karen
      I also would be part of one of those paintings, I love the simplicity which they spread out, the atmosphere of calm and gladness they all communicate to me !

      So grateful for your visit today, my lovely lady, and for your so gentle words, as always, I wish you so much love for the end of your week coming, sending blessings of joy to you ❥

      Elimina
  9. I love this artist Dany and it is probably not a surprise to you! Although I love the romantic paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites. These domestic scenes are my favorite!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ JES
      admired and esteemed friend of mine, yes, I know this love of yours, which I share with you, these images are almost an icon to me, the symbol of the value of the domestic life during the era which I feel I belong to !

      Hope your week is off to a great start, Dearest One, I wish you wonderful days to come, filled with so much love and gladness, sending blessings to you ♡❤♡

      Elimina
  10. It seems there are too many photos for my laptop to load (or they are too big?) but the ones I see do make me wonder if life was better 'back then'. I prefer a slow pace of life :)

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. betty-NZ
      Yes, the so many images which belong to this post of mine make of it a quite 'heavy' post to load, I'm sorry you're not able and see them all!
      At those times there was truly a slower pace of life than today, and people had the time to enjoy their Gifts without running all day long as we are used to do, alas!
      For us running seems to be the only urgence, at least, I talk for me and for those living around me, we have seldom the time to rest, reflect, think about the fortunes we have...
      Thank you darling friend for your observations and thoughts!

      Sending blessings on your week just begun ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  11. I like the style of Mr Dunlop. He really captures the essence of home life, and the everyday life of that era. It is a beautiful portrayal of the beautiful era. I wonder if it was as charming as it appears in these prints?

    Thank you for sharing all of your lovely posts at the Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop!

    Laurie

    RispondiElimina
  12. This is the first time I've encountered his paintings, and I love them. The way he captures the faces of his subjects really catches me. I love the roundness, the wide eyes, and, like you mentioned, the way they look at the artist, but also don't. Leslie actually passed away on my daughter's birthday. I love learning new things like this. Your posts are always full of information, and I love it! Thanks for sharing on Crafty Creators!
    XOXO,
    Niki ~ Life as a LEO Wife

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Niki,
      It's my pleasure and delight to share my posts on your Crafty Creators Party, so as it is to have you here, you're such a bright light, my friend, thank you!
      Sending hugs and more hugs to you ஜ♥♡♥ஜ

      Elimina

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