Ludwig Deutsch

Cynthia Daniel · 10-08-2007, 10:01 PM

I'm not a painter, but all I can say is "stunning!"

Sharon Knettell · 10-08-2007, 10:59 PM

Enzie,

Quite an accomplished painting, but I much prefer the original art of the cultures themselves, rather than the European renderings of them.

I much prefer the Savahid paintings to this, which, I must say looks like a set piece, like the Alma-Tademas, Bargues and Geromes.

The Persians had a very lyrical way of depicting their life and culture with beauty and elegance, which is lost in the over romanticized depiction of the European painters.

The art and culture of the East, Asia and Africa had a stunning and revitalizing effect on European art, from the Japonaiserie of Whistler to the Odalisques of Matisse.

In the West, academic painting worships at the fountain of form, leaving color and design as second cousins. Add ons as it were. What has been lost is engaging, rhythmic pictorial compositions and jewel-like color.

The paintings of these cultures were the inspiration of the painters of the Impressionist period. They showed that art did not have to be about the picture plane, correct rendering, but it could be joyful, lyrical and colorful all on its own.

Marvin Mattelson · 10-09-2007, 12:47 AM

I think that Deutsch offers great lessons to all portrait artists. I've had the opportunity of seeing many of his paintings at the auction previews in New York. Reproductions can in no way convey the gem like quality of his compositions nor the sublety of his color.

His color schemes are quite spectacular and the way he handled flesh was first rate. Many would call him a photo realist but they would be mistaken because his paintings recreate illusionistic space and not the intrinsic flatness of photo-realism.

I think that his modeling is of the highest level possible and should serve as an inspiration to any portrait artist looking to improve the way they handle form. Those who wish to paint flatly should also study Deutsch and do the exact opposite.

Below I've posted the full composition plus a detail from Deutsch's Palace Guard.

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Enzie Shahmiri · 10-09-2007, 10:57 AM

Cynthia, as I am uploading my collection on my blog believe I just want to crawl into a corner and weep. These paintings are so perfect in every detail rendered that I just keep thinking how will I ever get to that stage?! It's hopeless, yet so inspirational.

Sharon, you post nice Eastern art and when I have a moment I will post soem Iranian paintings other than what you have. It's just interesting to see how different cultures adapt to each other. On that subject have your read My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk? It talks about Miniaturist that are facing the request for modernization and adaptation to european painting styles. You can read more about a review I did on my blog.

Marvin, a true "tour de force" no? I heard the Dahesh has closed it's doors. Have they found a new place? Have you heard anything?

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-09-2007, 11:02 AM

Not signed but authenticated by Lynne Thornton
A Woman from Cairo Study
oil on canvas/huile sur toile
25.625x21.25in. (65x54cm)

For artist studies such as this one are valuable insights into the artist's approach to a painting. It looks like Deutsch applied paint in short strokes, similar to hatching with a pencil. The light source and play of shadows is recorded in high contrast to each other (see her right hand), very unlike the smooth value gradation we are used to seeing in his final products. This leaves me to believe that this might be a color study.

Sharon Knettell · 10-09-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enzie Shahmiri

Cynthia, as I am uploading my collection on my blog believe I just want to crawl into a corner and weep. These paintings are so perfect in every detail rendered that I just keep thinking how will I ever get to that stage?! It's hopeless, yet so inspirational.

Enzie,

They are perfect in they are as close to a photograph as a human can come. Rendering details like that are simply time consuming, not a great artistic achievement. You could do that if you were willing to put in the time- lot's of it.

Why should you weep? Because you can't paint like a dead European. No one can paint like another. It is useless and a waste of time gnashing your teeth over that.

I read your blog. I have always been enamored with the elegance and beauty of Persian miniatures.

Beautiful painting, like those exquisite miniatures, should not be just a showcase of facile rendering- as in WOW!, those pears look like a photograph. I wish I could paint like that.

Marvin Mattelson · 10-09-2007, 11:36 PM

The only one labeling good and bad art is you Sharon.

Cynthia said this site is about portraiture. The beautiful modeling of the heads painted by Deutsch are quite pertinent to contemporary portraiture. I said is that if you understand how to create depth you have the understanding to make things flat as well. The inverse is not necessarily true.

Why put Enzie down because of what she admires and aspires to be. I know Enzie personally and I admire her sincerity and I whole heartedly support her in following her dream.

The Orientalists were inspired and in awe of an exotic culture that was like nothing they had ever seen before and they interpreted in their own way. They brought a western eye and interpreted eastern motifs.

Sharon, you don't like Deutsch. We get it. You made your point.

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-10-2007, 01:31 AM

I like the decorative, playful aspect of miniature paintings and admire the skill it took to get so much information on usually small pages of a book. This is Iranian Manusrcipt Paintings for you Sharon.

Sharon, there are many styles out there that I find nice, don't understand and try to find the best in them, but non stop me in my tracks as works such as these. It really comes down to what speaks to you as an individual as all our tastes and preferences are so different. Personally, when I see the skill it takes to not only handle the human form with such expertness, but also render clothing and setting in a way that becomes a visual feast of color, design and harmony, I am just in total awe. And if I may so so, I am getting really tired of the photo reference bashing!

Deutsch made three trips to Cairo and it is known that he employed photographers, to capture what he saw. He also collected a great amount of props during these trips and once back in Paris would hire models to pose for him. Based on this information, I conclude that he took the photos as reference to recreate the architectural settings and poses. Then he would dress up hired models and recreate the poses and paint from live. After having done numerous sketches to work out his composition, he would use the observed architectural settings in such a way that they emphasized his focal point. I don

Sharon Knettell · 10-10-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin Mattelson

The only one labeling good and bad art is you Sharon.

Are the only ways you can make your arguments are by a snide personal comments, or by drowning us in incomprehensible, interminable reams of 'prose', especially those listing your awards.

Thomasin Dewhurst · 10-09-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin Mattelson

Those who wish to paint flatly should also study Deutsch and do the exact opposite.

I disagree. The best modeling is all about transferring your visual impression of space and form onto a flat surface. At the very heart of modeling is knowing how to put paint down flatly. It is about the simple appreciation and enjoyment of the qualities of the medium and ground. The best, most alluring, most absorbing works are those whose authors essentially love the putting down of paint on canvas. That's where the difference between a convincing and an unconvincing painting lies, and why certain examples of modeling look more masterful than others.