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Painterly work
I'm confused. Okay, now that the obvious has been stated, let's move on.
I'm sure I've run across 50 posts (those who are itching for effortless retribution can do the search and correct me) in which the term "painterly" was used, and I'm now sure that it means at least 25 different things. How did this word come into usage and what in the world does it mean?
An architect works "architecturally" and it's no big deal. A mechanic works "mechanically" and it's the least we expect. But if a painter paints "painterly", it's some kind of sect, or secret, or genre or accomplishment. But what kind? (The "kind" isn't really important, but is it possible to decide on a definition, so that we're all talking about the same qualities?)
I used to assume from context that folks said "painterly" when they meant "loose" or "impressionistically" or -- now that "blended" has already become a suspect methodology (so much for the resurgence of classical realism) -- "highly finished." (I confess to not being able to understand why one methodology or technique is "painterly" and another not. We're all just smearing paint around, right?)
But now some are referring to "painterly" as those highly finished, detailed pieces, as opposed to the one-hour alla prima emotional gushes. (I gush once in a while myself, not that there's anything wrong with that.)
Maybe those who are about to type "painterly" could help the slower ones amongst us by opting out of that first impulse and looking instead for the next best description, so that we're all able to appreciate with appropriate respect what's being described.
-- A Friend.
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