William McGregor Paxton

[Timothy C. Tyler]

I think I've liked everything I've ever seen by Paxton. I'm often surprised that the originals are smaller than I would have thought from the image - like Gerome in that.

I have long been curious about some vanishing points in "The Necklace." If the chest on the right is correct and I think it matches most things in the room, then how do I understand the angle of the top of the screen (far right end)nearest to the figures? Also, the angles of the top of the glass case on (top of the chest) seem wrong, too.

I still like the work, but everytime I look at the piece those things catch my attention, they feel incorrect. Does anyone agree or have an answer to explain this?

[Marvin Mattelson]

The line of perspective of the top edge of the screen on the viewer' s right has a vanishing point which would lie on the horizon line far to the viewer's left, out of the frame of the picture. In perspective all objects perpendicular to the horizon line will have vanishing points located on the horizon line. However, unless all these objects are lined up parallel to each other those vanishing points will by necessity have to move to either the left or to the right. If the object is tilted and no longer perpendicular to the horizon line the vanishing points will no longer reside on the horizon line. The screen is coming out at the viewer on the right side. The glass case is turned slightly more towards the viewer than the desk. Bottom line, even if there were perspective flaws, wouldn

[Timothy C. Tyler]

Yep, Marvin the cup is very full. It's a high standard I hold Sargent, Paxton and a few others to.

I see the horizon line about at the neck of the seated woman. I still am bothered by the two areas mentioned. If I knew how to work the fancy lines over image thing some people can do I'd draw out what I mean. The small part on the left on the chest (left of the corner-on the top lip) seems not to answer to the same vanishing points as the draws on the face.

I, too, have long enjoyed this work and still do. That's part of why I'm taunted by the lines feeling and "appearing" wrong. The satin, the composition, the drawing , the color, etc. is right on!

[Marvin Mattelson]

I just discovered this Paxton on line at the Greenwich Gallery. It is called "The Slipper" and I've never seen it before. It is a nude, and those who are not offended by the naked human body can see it at this url:

http://www.greenwichgallery.com/20th.../paxtthes.html

This painting goes for about $90,000.00, if anyone's interested and I'm sure this link will become inactive after the painting is sold.

[Timothy C. Tyler]

That is a nice one. I had never seen it either. Nice edges.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Paxton's paintings are a veritable treatise on edges.

[Timothy C. Tyler]

Marvin, he treated the nudes very softly, at least the ones I remember. Is that so or are those all from a certain period of his life. I recall a modest one that's in Boston I think (a lady sitting on bed).