I was thinking ...

[Gilberte]

I was thinking of the Zorn, Sargent, Sorolla, Fechin thread but I guess it would be better to post this in a new thread for all of you fine-art oil painters :

I've discovered a Flemish woman artist (almost living next door, by way of speaking) whose work I greatly admire and therefore would appreciate it if you'd take a look :

www.magda-francot-art.com

Let me know what you think ...
(one of my favorites is the couple with the red ribbon)

[Ginette]

I am not too crazy on symbolism. Just a matter of personal taste.
Below are those, I liked somewhat.

http://www.magda-francot-art.com/newpage210.htm

http://www.magda-francot-art.com/newpage56.htm

http://www.magda-francot-art.com/newpage65.htm

Ginette

[Gilberte]

Dear Ginette,
In general I'm not so keen on symbolism myself (that goes for Science Fiction etc. etc.) but when I saw this lady's work my admiration went to her imagination, the patience, the technique and her craftmanship. I am sure you missed some exceptional works because the indications to the galleries on the site are somewhat confusing. Myself, I checked the site several times and of course some Antwerp scenes must have charmed me personally. Merci for your understanding !
(I posted this thread in the oil forum, saw it was removed and asked myself WHY but I think Guillot will inform me).
Let's paint then ...
cheerio !

[Gilberte]

I forgot :
hope some professional artists will have a look and comment and give opinions. Myself I am totally unqualified but I love to read about art ...

[Ginette]

Originally posted by Gilberte
Dear Ginette,
I am sure you missed some exceptional works because the indications to the galleries on the site are somewhat confusing.

Actually I looked at every page.
The drop down menu for the Galleries was easy for me to find.
Then again. I am an internet surfer buff and computers are part of my daily life.

I liked many paintings especially the earthy pallet ones, except the symbolism in it took away fro me.
One piece with the Lady on the roof of a building I think it was called Nymph can't recall at this instance. I loved the painting without the woman.

Ginette

I will go back when I get more time and find it again.

[Rose Queen]

I ran across this site a long time ago, but had forgotten it, so thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I like a lot of her stuff, especially the woman in the moon. The piece she did for the courts is also very interesting, I think.

[Daika]

I love that kind of work! Halfway between reality and dream. A way of saying things in a caring way.

In a painting, a woman is "dancing with death" and yet, the embrace is full of tenderness...

I just love symbolism!

Thanks for the link, I've bookmarked it to visit more intensively!

Daika :clap:

[Keith Russell]

Greetings:

Not surprisingly, the first thing that came to my mind is that I'd like to hear more about why so many of the other posters on this thread are less-than-enamoured of Symbolism.

From my initial interest in contemporary science fiction/fantasy illustration, I was guided to the Pre-Raphelites, and from there to the Surrealists. From there, I learned about the Symbolists, and--at least from my studies thus far--I like both their ideas and their artworks best.

Oh, Magda's work is quite nice, too. Some of it looks like she relied a bit too much on photography, though. In some paintings, there seems to be several contradictory points of view (persepctives) which don't appear intentional.

Keith.

[Gilberte]

there seems to be several contradictory points of view (persepctives) which don't appear intentional.(says Keith)

I don't understand this very well but I'll try to find out visiting her site again. Thanks for your interest in this artist's work anyway !

[Daika]

I agree about the minor slips in perspective and so forth and specially, about the fact that she relies a lot on photographies. In fact, too muc to be taken half as seriously as, say Gustave Moreau.

I love Gustave Moreau...! He had a saying about being a symbolist painter. To him, the difference between himself and what were called the "visionaries" (artists) is that, where they had to drink and absorb hallucinogenic substances in order to get in touch with their visions and express them, he, at any time, had access to his dreams and visions and could express them in his drawings.

I have a whole set of copied prints from his works, about a dozen, that I framed and hung in the corridor to my studio!

With Symbolist painters, it's the atmosphere they convey... a kind of substance onto which my own dreams take wings... and carry me into my own dreamworld. Same with Dali and a few contemporary artists...

Technique then becomes less important... although my eye doesn't get fooled, I still don't mind minor mistakes as long as I can fly...

Daika