Let's talk great art. Have you ever noticed how some model in a painting or photo is supposed to be a young girl or a boy but the image or vision just does not cut it? The girl or boy is long in the tooth. It is as bad as watching a movie where the 14 year old is played by a 28 year old. It is hard to suspend disbelief to that degree.
I did not realize it, until a few weeks ago, but even some of the great artists have had trouble getting models that are age appropriate. Again, Charlie Buell, being an artist, told me I needed to look at more great art. So I got this coffee table sized book and I am doing so begrudgingly -- art is not my cup of tea maybe. Or just maybe I am too much the cynic.
But this phenomenon of age inappropriate models even follows the great art. That much I have discovered. Have you ever really, really looked at "Blue Boy"? This is about as famous as it gets. But, please, the so-called youth, young man or boy looks like he is about five years away from drawing social security. Of course, they did not have social security back then so that is not something they could check on when the kid/guy applied to be a model. The ruddy red face is a clue that some tippling has been going on too. The official description of the painting is below. Then you will see the actual painting below that and, if you take a close look, you will see what I mean about the age inappropriate model. Times must have been tough back then -- good help hard to find.
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88)
oil on canvas, 70 5/8 x 48 3/4 inches
Gainsborough's The Blue Boy, portrays the son of a successful hardware merchant, who was a close friend of the artist. The work was executed during Gainsborough's extended stay in Bath before he finally settled in London in 1774.
The artist has dressed the young man in a costume dating from about 140 years before the portrait was painted. This type of costume was familiar through the portraits of the great Flemish painter, Anthony van Dyck. Gainsborough greatly admired the work of Van Dyck and seems to have conceived The Blue Boy as an act of homage to that master.
I may not be the right temperament to study all this great art. Charlie tells me to do something and it always ends up being something silly. I either end up seeing red or seeing Charlie. Maybe I should stick to writing about old records and rock stars. Later,
Steve
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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I've been privileged to see The Blue Boy in person. Somehow your illustration does not look quite like what I remember!
Huh,
Maybe Charlie talked me into buying a pirated copy of the book.
My eyes play tricks on me as I age. Is this Keith Richards?...
It was widely accepted at the time that Blue could not be a successful dominate color in art as a subject matter.
Hence Blue Boy.
I only wish I looked that good:)
Charlie,
Last time I saw you in a similar outfit, the time we did the inspection together, you looked close to that good.
Thanks for the chuckle.
Leslie,
You remember the old Carly Simon song -- You're so Vain.
That applies to Mr Buell. He called this morning and he actually thinks this blog is about him. Big ego on that there boy.
Rob,
Last photo I saw of Keith, he did not look that healthy.
Steve, that picture seems vaguely familiar from my art history classes. Where is Pinky? She has to hang beside Blue Boy. It is traditional. It is a law! Side by side on the walls. Do not give Blue Boy attention without Pinky or the ART POLICE will come and carry you away.
Barbara,
Just goes to show that once you have seen blue boy, you have seen blue boy. I kind of think he had been doing some nipping prior to posing. Those cheeks are awfully red.
Pinky, please!
Barbara,
Your wish is my command. I am not the art expert that you are. I had to dig out that dastardly book that Charlie gave me to even know who Pinkie might be. I found it on page 56, so now I post both of them for your edification. They will not easily fit side by side so they are one above the other for your viewing pleasure. This babe is way hotter than the goofy, so called, boy.
Steven, you have made a great big A+ on this Blue Boy and Pinkie art test! They can now proudly be hung in your parlor! LOL
Barbara,
At least it was an age appropriate model for Pinkie. Where in the world they ever came up with the coot as the blue boy, now that is a question I have that might never be answered. Plus, he looks like such a silly dude. That drives me crazy.
I love looking vaguely like Pinkie. I can almost see myself in her! I feel so young and pretty! I almost forgive you for mistreating Nutsy.
Mrs Barbara,
I still have no relief. I am still in jail. They give me no nuts. I am hoping this ordeal will soon be over. I have no use for this charity prison thingee.
Your friend Nutsy
Did I miss something? Why is Nutsy incarcerated? Pilfering peanuts from a home while "inspecting". I always knew that squirell was trouble. Those beady eyes, I never trusted him.
I think you're right, Pinky is a hot babe, but that Blue Boy character. Pleease!
Steve, I thought you were going to spring Nutsy. One relief is that arrogant Blue Boy is probably so pleased with his new suit and his featured blog that he'll have no time for plotting further with Mr. Q for a barbeque.
Barbara,
I will spring the Nutsy before Quarello gets his paws on my assistant. As for blue boy, paunch he is getting he better stay away from the barbecues and barbecue sauce. He will no longer fit in that cute little blue outfit that makes him the rage of the Seattle bar scene pn Saturday nights in the summer.
Maybe I could join Blue Man Group.
James,
Shame on you for jumping to conclusions and always thinking the worst. Nutsy is in prison for charity. See Barbara's blog.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/794956/No-I-will-not-go-to-jail-for-your-favorite-charity
Charlie,
I think it might be better if you saw a tailor and got the outfit updated a bit. I know, I know, it is popular on the streets of Seattle. But James and I agree it is too much on you.
Steve, just because you have no class out there in Podunkham WA
I know, us logger and cowpoke types do not appreciate your frills. Now Pinkie, she is hot. The guy is not.
James,
By the way, what is with the wide-eyed innocent act regarding Nutsy and his incarcertion? We know for a fact that his name was submitted by someone from Wallingford, CT. We only know one person out there and his name is James.
I admittedly submitted Nutsy's name for incarceration. I didn't want him skipping town before the big barbecue. Charlie took the initiative to fatten that scrawny squirrel up before his big day.
I knew it! Nabbed you. You are way too sneaky James.
James,
Have you done your book meme yet by the way? And it better not be recipes for grilling small animals.
Steve---hold your pants on----I sent him one of your autographed cook books titled, "You have to take the hair off first!" that you gave me---he is waiting for it to get there.
Charlie,
Nutsy thinks that the only thing James reads is your hateful propaganda. Now Nutsy, there is a guy who should do a book meme.
Note:
Nutsy was sprung from the pokey yesterday. He never got any donations but he agreed to take the jailer to James' barbecue. So he is out.
You mean he escaped and is on the run. No doubt in flight having gotten wind of his place of honor at the barbecue.
HOORAY! Run, Nutsy, Run!!
For him it will always be from the "frying pan into the fire."
Barbara is nice, you two guys are disgusting.
Yes we are Larry, Curly and Moe (guess we know which one is "Curly":)
Steve, Disgusting? I am truly offended! One mans assistant is another mans feast.