writing is revising: painting is too--Matisse's Bathers

Matisse worked on his painting BATHERS BY THE RIVER over the course of 8 years.

The first image was painted in watercolor on paper in 1909. The final version 1917.

Now because of technology you can see the stages in between and how he revised. Take a look here.

Seems like it's a process of distilling. Like writing. Stripping away and stripping away. Someone said writing is revising. The art of simplicity--to eliminate the unnecessary that the necessary make speak.

"Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917" opens at MOMA next week.

Pietà

Pietà by William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905), painted in 1876, goes on sale at Christies today in NYC. It is estimated to sell for anywhere between $1.5 and $2.5 million. If it is sold to a private collector this may be the last chance to see it.

It hangs at the end of a long corridor--as you turn the corner you catch your breath.  The two halos are embossed gold, serving to flatten and at the same time separate the two central figures. So that they appear to float free of the space. The angels writhe in agony and wonder at such love, creating at the same time this incredibly beautiful frame around Mary and Jesus.The body of Christ almost glows. Mary's hands that won't let go. And the face of Mary looking out of the picture--as if into the future and us--seems to see the full horror of what has just happened. What our sins have done. Grief too great to bear.            


It is one of the most moving paintings I have ever seen.

More information here