Maria de Dominici

Art Appreciation

Maria de Dominici, a prominent Maltese painter and sculptor of the Baroque-era, was born in Birgu, Malta on December 6, 1645. Raised in a family of artists, de Dominici her liking for drawing captured attention, prompting her parents to arrange for formal training under the guidance of a master.  

Under the mentorship of the accomplished painter and sculptor Mattia Preti, de Dominici honed her artistic skills. Notably, Preti was renowned for his transformative work on the interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, and it is believe that de Dominici assisted Preti paint the cathedral's vaults.  

Nadette Xuereb, in her dissertation, highlighted that de Dominici's acclaimed was closely tied to her association with Preti and her role as a Carmelite tertiary nun. Moreover, she holds the distinction of being the first recorded female artist in Malta.

Virgin with Ss Nicholas & Roque

(Attr. to de Dominici) St. Teresa of Avila

(Attr. to de Dominici) Vision of St. Maria Maddalena de Pazzi

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/history/maltese-herstory-maltas-first-established-female-painter-was-a-bold-baroque-and-free-roaming-nun/

https://lovinmalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/17BAART011.pdf

Shalom Harlow

Acting Appreciation

During my teenage years, I stumbled upon images of the Canadian model Shalom Harlow. What caught my attention was not just her Canadian citizenship, which I found pretty cool at the time, but also her impressive height of 5'11". It struck me as amusing since I'm quite short and nowhere near that stature.

Shalom Harlow, born on December 5, 1973, in Oshawa, Ontario, developed a passion for ballet, tap dancing, and jazz during her upbringing. At the age of 17, she was discovered at a Cure concert in Toronto, marking the beginning of her journey into the world of modeling. Her career blossomed, encompassing magazine covers, runway shows, and films.

In contrast to the prevailing image of supermodels during that era, Shalom Harlow was perceived as more relatable. Fashion journalist Tim Blanks aptly described her as "made for couture," earning her favor with prestigious brands like Chanel and Dior.

In 1996, Shalom and her longtime friend, model Amber Valletta, cohosted MTV's House of Style. This venture marked a transition from a successful modeling career to the realm of film. Shalom made her film debut in the 1997 Frank Oz comedy "In & Out" and went on to appear in movies such as "Head over Heels" (2001), "Happy Here and Now" (2002), "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (2003), and "Game 6" (2005).

by Irving Penn Vogue Mark 1996

by Bruce Weber Vogue April 1993

by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.themoviedb.org/person/92857-shalom-harlow

https://eightydaysblack.wordpress.com/2016/02/03/day-after-day/hairy-naked-nude-celeb-shalom-harlow-6/

https://fashionweekdaily.com/shalom-harlow-fall-1997-dior-show/

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/photography/a37330236/paint-the-town-september-2021/

https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/shalom-harlow-interview-2022

https://www.vogue.com/article/shalom-harlow-best-moments-in-vogue

https://purple.fr/magazine/fw-2007-issue-8/shalom-harlow/

https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/25659/1/shalom-harlow-was-an-era-defining-90s-model

Yoga: YOGATX - Full Body Stretch Yoga - 30 Minute Flexibility & Deep Stretch Workout

via YOGATX 

Dance: The Heart Never Forgets (Short Dance Film)

I came across this wonderful dance film that tells a story of Toby who is slowing losing his memories. 

Dancers: Joelina Rietsche & Tobias Mulcahy

Concept, direction and choreography: Holly Mitchell 

via Holly Mitchell

Cosplay is an Art: Anime Weekend Atlanta 2023

via Justin Cosplay

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Giorgio Armani Privé Fall Winter 2023-24

 Fashion designer: Giorgio Armani

via Armani

Jeanloup Sieff

Photography Appreciation

Born in Paris on November 30, 1933, Jeanloup Sieff achieved fame for his distinctive black-and-white portraits, characterized by a captivating blend of sensuality, sophistication, and a subtle touch of humor.

Embarking on his photographic journey in the 1950s, Sieff's passion for the art led him to pursue studies at the renowned École des Beaux-Arts and later at the École Supérieure d’arts appliqués in Vevey, Switzerland.

Initially working as a freelance photojournalist, Sieff transitioned to contributing to major fashion magazines such as Elle, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar. His formative years were profoundly shaped by encounters with the works of photography luminaries like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa, influencing the development of his distinctive perspective.

Among Sieff's most celebrated pieces is the iconic photograph of Yves Saint Laurent, the legendary fashion designer. This image showcases one of Sieff's signature techniques—the masterful use of light and shadow, capturing the human form in its most natural and elegant state, resulting in a composition of striking beauty.

Yves Saint Laurent, YSL Pour Homme (1971)

Twiggy, ELLE (1966)

Ina Balke and Alfred Hitchcock, Hollywood, Harper’s Bazaar, 1963 (1962)

Untitled (1995)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/jeanloup-sieff-twiggy-fashion-lison-pour-refdress-paris-elle

https://www.modernamuseet.se/stockholm/en/exhibitions/jeanloup-sieff/photographic-formations/

https://www.blind-magazine.com/news/jeanloup-sieff-a-photographic-journey-in-the-death-valley/

https://artblart.com/tag/jeanloup-sieff-ballet-paris-opera/

https://www.thecut.com/2012/09/18-vintage-fashion-images-by-jeanloup-sieff.html

https://arthur.io/art/jeanloup-sieff

https://www.kooness.com/artists/art-for-sale-best-artist-jeanloup-sieff