Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

Heads I, 1911.

Self-Portrait, 1916.

(1884-1976) - As an architecture student in Dresden, he made an acquaintance of Heckel, Kirchner and Fritz Bleyl, with whom he founded Die Brucke. He also showed with Der Blaue Reiter and contributed to Die Aktion. On of thee most prolific of the Expressionists, Schmidt-Rottluff made over 300 woodcuts, many revealing his interest in Cubism and African/Oceanic art. 51 of his works were shown by the Nazis in the infamous show of 'Degenerate Art.' (Shane Weller - Dover)

Ordinaries

Bands or marks on a heraldic shield. (which leads to ...)

Heraldry: Armorial bearings evolved in the 11th. century. At first, the badge of one's group was painted on each shield used in battle. Around the 13th century, the painting of helmets and use of crests (carved figures attached to the helmet) were added. After the 15th century, armorial bearings were no longer used except ceremonially, but the idea lived on. Today, in the English-speaking world, a coat of arms is registered with the College of Arms in London, and may be used in perpetuity by the individual, family, town, guild, etc. who registers it. There are rules by which heraldic insignia are designed and executed that have broadened over the centuries. (Rose Folsum)

Still Life with Crayfish

Detail, 1880-82

Gustave Caillebotte: (1848-94). French painter and collector. He came from a very wealthy family (he was rich enough to build and race yachts as a hobby) and for many years after his death he was remembered primarily for the financial help he gave the Impressionists, by purchasing their paintings and sometimes by direct gifts of money. Since the 1960's, however his own work as a painter has been reassessed and he is now regarded as an artist of considerable, although uneven, achievement. He exhibited at 5 of the 8 Impressionist exhibitions, concentrating on scenes from everyday life. The most striking feature of his work is his liking for unusual viewpoints and bold perspective effects.

On his death Caillebotte bequeathed his collections of 67 pictures to the State. Against the opposition of various academic artists representing the taste of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the official Salon, 38 of the pictures were accepted after much wrangling and formed the nucleus of the Impressionist collection of the Luxembourg Museum (now the Musee d'Orsay, Paris) (Ian Chilvers)

Mannerism in Garden Design

Ligorio, Oliverieri and Tommaso da Siena, Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy. Begun 1550. 'This garden takes advantage of the rugged landscape for the creation of terraces and innumerable fountains; such Mannerist designs provided a total sensory experience.' (Leland M. Roth)


Mannerism - in painting, sculpture, and architecture, a style characterized by a subtle but conscious breaking of the 'rules' of classical composition - IE, displaying the human body in an off-center, distorted pose, and using harsh, non-blending colors. The aim was to unsettle the viewer. The term was coined by Vasari and used to describe the 16th century reaction to the peak of Renaissance Classicism. It refers to a style developed by painters and architects working in Italy (primarily Rome and Florence) during the years 1520s-90s beginning with , and largely derived from, the later works of Michelangelo in painting and architecture. (Brockhampton)

Raoul Dufy

Pesage - weighing in at the Deauville trial

Aux Courses - a scene at Auteuil

Le Depart - the Grand Prix, Longchamps

Raoul Dufy (1877-1953). French painter, graphic artist, and designer. His early work was Impressionist in style but he became a convert to Fauvism in 1905 after seeing a Matisse show. He exhibited with the Fauves in 1906 and 1907, but in 1908 he worked with Braque at L'Estaque and abandoned Fauvism for a more sober style influenced by Cezanne. He soon returned to a lighter style and in the next few years developed his most known style. It is characterized, in oils and watercolors, by rapid calligraphic drawing on backgrounds of bright, thinly washed color and was well suited to the scenes of luxury and pleasure Dufy favored. He worked with fashion designer Paul Poiret and did some textile design for a silk factory in Lyon as well. In 1952 he was awarded the main painting prize at the Venice Biennale. His popularity has continued undiminished since his death. (Ian Chilvers)

Conches

Interior of Hagia Sophia (532-537) Istanbul, Turkey

Conches: Semi-circular half domes. (Tansey & Kleiner) Shown in the photo and on both sides of the 'pointer'.

Flock Prints

A rare type of 15th century woodcut in which the block is 'inked' with glue and then printed. While the glue is still wet on the paper the surface is dusted with 'flock' (fluff of minced wool) which adheres to the printed design. The technique was later adapted in the 19th century for the manufacture of 'flocked' wallpapers, notable for their rich, heavy patterning. (Michael Clarke)

Note: Unfortunately, I don't have any flocked examples to show you so I posted an actual woodblock - by me of the 21th century. It has been printed before - hence the black ink stains. Now, just imagine it covered in glue.... about to be printed onto paper. I may have to try this myself!