Some Favorite Portraits



Madame X by John Singer Sargent, 1884.

This portrait has a timeless appeal, to me it looks like it could have

been painted today.  I simply adore the black dress.  This portrait was considered

a "scandal in French Society".  The story behind this painting makes

for some verrrry interesting reading!

 

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustave Klimt  (1907)

Adele Bloch-Bauer II sold for $87.9 million.



The Kiss by Gustauve Klimt, 1907

I like the woman's face better in this
painting than his more famous work,
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer






There had to be a mention of Vincent van Gogh in this post.  I was going
to include one of his colorful self-portraits and ran across
this early work of his, "Self Portrait with Dark Felt Hat", painted in 1886.


This painting "presents himself in phase of transition".


In 2002 I was fortunate enough to see the Van Gogh/Gauguin
Exhibit at The Chicago Art Institute.  I was surprised that one could stand
inches from original van Goghs and Guaguins. I now realize the
place must have been full of  "plain clothes" security.


Imagine being in the same room as "Starry Starry Night!"

Not long ago I was reading some letters exchanged between Van Gogh
and his brother.  It is said Van Gogh sold only one painting
in his lifetime.

His "Portrait of Doctor Gachet" sold a few years ago
for $82.5 million.





Maxfield Parrish, what beautiful work!  This  piece is entitled
"Ecstasy".  Not a typical "head and shoulders" portrait  but oh
so beautiful.  Love the Parrish blue skies and clouds.



Whistler's Mother by James McNeill Whistler

1871

Couldn't help it.  Who could leave out Whistler's 

mom when the topic is portraits?



I have always been fond of this
painting.  "Christina's World" was discovered by me at a very young age in The World
Book Encyclopedia . This painting by Andrew Wyeth, done in 1948,  is of a neighbor,
Christina Olson, who had polio.  She was a neighbor
of the Wyeth's summer home, he would witness this scene
from his window, her crawling along the fields.



It seemed the image of  Mona Lisa was everywhere during the popularity
of the book, "The Da Vinci Code".

This portrait has always been a favorite of mine.  Many years ago
at the Fort Lauderdale flea market, I bought a wrist
watch with this image.  That reminds me,  I need to
get that a new battery for the watch and wear it!



Summer Clouds by Charles Curran, 1917

This beautiful image was discovered when I
saw a large reproduction of it in a
Bombay Store.  I can just taste the
salty air and feel the wind when I see this painting.