William Degouve de Nuncques

Art Appreciation

Born on February 28, 1867, William Degouve de Nuncques was a Belgian Symbolist painter known for his dreamlike landscapes and use of vibrant colors. 

He began his artistic training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, but left without completing his studies. He rather taught himself to paint. 

In 1883, he met Dutch artist Jan Toorop, who he shared a studio with. He would later meet Henry de Groux. Around that time, he married artist Juliette Massin. All would have an influence in his style. 

Degouve de Nuncques was heavily influenced by the Symbolist movement, which emphasized the use of symbolism and metaphors in art to evoke emotions and ideas rather than simply depicting reality.

 

The Blind House (1892)

The Angels (1894)

The Peacocks (1896)

Source: 

Wikipedia

https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/William-Degouve-De-Nuncques/The-Angels-Of-The-Night-1894.html

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Peacocks_%281896%29,_pastel_on_paper,_mounted_on_canvas,_59.5_x_99_cm.,_Royal_Museums_of_Fine_Arts_of_Belgium,_Brussels.jpg

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Istvan Banyai

Art Appreciation

Istvan Banyai is a Hungarian illustrator and animator best known for his unique and thought-provoking artwork. 

Born in February 27, 1949, he began showing his artistic abilities at a young age. He attended the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest where he was trained in architecture, graphic design, and illustrative drawing. After receiving his bachelors of fine arts, he began his career as a graphic designer before transitioning to illustration. 

After moving to France to work with Jean "Moebius" Giraud, he gained exposure after his illustration was featured in Le Monde magazine in 1981.

A year later, he relocated to the United States where began working in illustration and animation as a freelance artist.

Banyai's illustrations often feature simple, clean lines and bold colors, with a focus on symbolism and storytelling. One of his famous illustration is Zoom, a wordless children's book series which received praise for its ability to tell a story through a single image. He also authored Rezoom and The Other Side.

He continues to produce commercial illustrations for numerous publications like The New Yorker, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic Monthly, and O, The Oprah Magazine.

Marilyn Monroe, The New York Times (2012)

Green! Shanghai Hemisphere Magazine (2009) 

Zoom (1995)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.illustrationhistory.org/artists/istvan-banyai

http://encantamentosdaliteratura.blogspot.com/2009/05/zoom-istvan-banyai.html

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Dance: Saweetie - My Type

Choreography: Melissa Barlow

via Melissa Barlow

Cosplay is an Art: Otakufest 2023

via FD Sedano

U2 - One

Music Appreciation

I remember going to Wal-Mart and buying the cassette single of U2's One. I wore out that tape quickly as I played it on repeat. 

Released on February 24, 1992, One is a song by the Irish rock band U2 from their 1991 album Achtung Baby. The song was written by lead singer Bono as a plea for unity and understanding; in particular, conflict between the band members. After the success of The Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum, they were at a crossroad and drifting apart. 

During an improvisation, in a Berlin studio, as the Edge played the chord progression, Bono first lines came out, "Is it getting better or do you feel the same? Is it any easier on you now that you've got someone to blame?" The song would become considered one of U2's most popular and beloved tracks.

The band filmed several music videos for the song. To appeal to a broader audience, they got Rattle and Hum director Phil Joanou to film the third and final video. 

The music video starts with Bono sitting at a table smoking a cheroot and drinking beer at Nell's, a nightclub in downtown Manhattan. Closeup footage of the band performing in concert intersperse throughout the music video.  

via U2

Source:

Wikipedia

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20211117-why-u2s-one-is-the-ultimate-anthem

whf c. ai (25%)

Robert Maxwell

Photography Appreciation

A former surfer from La Jolla, California, contemporary photographer Robert Maxwell is known for his deeply expressive portraits, stills, and nudes. He uses a wet-plate technique known as ambrotype, known as the "black art" of photography.  

In an article by Russell Hart for American Photo, he explained the required patience from the celebrities he photographs, "I have to set up the pose before I go into the darkroom. Then when I come back with the plate, I fine-tune it -- move your leg here, do that, and so on -- double-check the focus, then pop off the ground glass and attach the wet-plate holder."

His first monograph Robert Maxwell: Photographs was published in 2000. 

Leonardo DiCaprio (2013)

Gabourey Sidibe (2009)

Maryke on Chaire (2001)

Sources: 

https://robertmaxwellphoto.com/

https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/person/robert-maxwell/

https://www.instagram.com/robertmaxwellphoto/?hl=en

https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/robert-maxwell-portrait-photographer/

Hart, Russell. Wet-Plate Revival. American Photo. September / October 1999, Special Issue. p.31. 

https://weisskatz.gallery/products/maryke-on-chair

Bon Boullogne

Art Appreciation

Bon Boullogne was a French Baroque painter who known for his portraits and ornate compositions that included religious and mythological scenes. 

Baptized February 22, 1649, Boullogne was particularly skilled in capturing the movement and energy of the human form.  His works are notable for their dramatic compositions, masterful use of light and color, and their ability to capture the movement and energy of the human form.

He was highly sought after by the French aristocracy and members of the royal court. He was appointed court painter to Louis XIV and was also commissioned to create works for several of the king's palaces, including the Palace of Versailles.

Birth of Venus

Tobias and Tobit (c. 1705)

Hippomenes and Atalanta (1699)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.allpainter.com/bon-boullogne/nature-receiving-gifts-from-the-four-elements-handmade-oil-painting-reproduction-192260.html

whf c. ai (80%)