Distance: A few blocks in our amber sky*
So today at the Legion it was that mid-19th century group of young Brits who called themselves The Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood. Their paintings are even more vibrantly and richly colored and exquisitely detailed in person than in all the pictures Ciwt has seen over the years. But, something important is missing for Ciwt. Soul; do they have it? No, in Ciwt's opinion; ultimately they have the presence of very fine illustrations that leave her feeling quite removed.
Here's one of her 'favorites' from the show. Leisure Hours (1864), a double portrait by John Millais that hangs at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Just gorgeous colors, and every detail from the screen behind, the goldfish in front is as exact ('truthful' in PRB terms) as the fabrics, hair, skin of the girls in the painting. But do they look like they are having fun? Do they even look leisurely? Do you care?
On the other hand, here's Raphael himself painted by himself in 1506 that has human depth the girls lack. There is something soft, serious and tender about this young artist that draws Ciwt toward him.
* Smoke from several Northern California fires is having eerie effects on our Bay Area skies.
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