Art of London, from Canaletto to Jean Arp
Impressions of The National Gallery and Tate Modern
I was fortunate enough to explore London this past week for the first time, and saw some amazing art at both Tate Modern and The National Gallery.
The jump from contemporary to classic was stark. As much as I love and am inspired by contemporary art, sometimes I come across a piece and question whether I think it's good. Maybe that's part of the fun with contemporary art, I feel like I can apply my own opinions to it more readily.
When looking at classic paintings throughout history, there's no question of whether it's good. The craftsmanship, finesse, attention to detail is unmatched. (Although it’s pretty amusing how unfamiliar 13th century painters were with the anatomy of women and babies, and tigers for that matter).
The National Gallery
Canaletto
This week, I fell in love with the work of Canaletto. When I was a preteen I got to go to Venice with my family. I was dazzled by European architecture and it began an exploration of architectural pen and ink drawings I pursued throughout high school. Clearly, Canaletto felt the same love for Venice and its landscapes, pursuing it with such depth and detail it bordered on obsession. He showed a dedication and patience that may be unmatched in our modern age.
I did note there wasn’t any sculpture to be found at The National Gallery. I wonder why have they chosen to omit 3D work from their collection?
Early sculpture does seem to fall into the category of history and architecture more than fine art. But art is such a distinct and special way to see and understand history. It feels like the story is incomplete by not having three-dimensional works alongside their 2D contemporaries.
Westminster Abbey
However, there was plenty of sculpture as monuments across the city and within the tombs of Westminster Abbey.
Tate Modern
If I’m being honest, art history and names of contemporary artists I “should” know hasn’t always been my strong suit. I think I’ve avoided doing the research in fear of becoming “too inspired” and making work that’s derivative.
But I’m realizing the importance of understanding one’s place in history. That anything you make is contextualized by what came before. Knowing which historic artists you care for (and those you don’t) inform your taste. You can better define what you gravitate toward and why. It helps you see what you’re already doing that’s reflective of work you like, what makes you distinct, and where you have room to grow.
Jean Arp
In my learning journey, Jean Arp has continued popping up. His work was central to movements in the 50s and understanding his style better, I’ve been able to see how influential he still is today in the modern art scene.
I love when sculpture is allowed to be the centerpiece of a room. It begs you to walk all the way around it and have a different experience at each angle (through the shapes themselves and how they interact with the environment around them).
Ellsworth Kelly
I was also excited to see the paintings of Ellsworth Kelly. I recently finished (and thoroughly enjoyed) reading The Slip and Kelly was definitely the author, Prudence Pieffer’s, favorite of the artists she wrote about. The way she understood his adoration for color made seeing his perfectly intentional and bold colors in person more special. His shape language speaks to my designer brain, and I can see how endlessly he felt he could pursue how shape can create both tension and harmony.
Barbara Chase-Riboud
I discovered the work of Barbara Chase-Riboud in an article I read a couple years ago in Sculpture Magazine and fell in love (especially with her piece Zanzibar Gold). The juxtaposition of her draped fiber against bold metal is stunning. This is the first I’ve come across her work in person.
Closing thoughts
This trip accomplished just what I needed it to. To step away from my art that I’ve been so heavily absorbed in allows me to:
a) remember that being an artist isn’t the entirety of my identity. That it’s something I love and maybe it’s who I am, but I’m more than what I make
b) slowing down and taking in the world around you is most restorative and inspirational
c) I can now come back to my day-to-day feeling renewed with a better sense of my place in the world and what I have to offer it
Stay curious <3
Love that you went on this trip!!!!