Thursday, October 23, 2008

Victorian Paintings: Poetry on Canvas

I would like to showcase a few paintings I have collected in my computer files. I enjoy the Victorian paintings for their clarity. Sometimes there is a story being told within the painting. The interiors reveal something of the things that were important to our grandparents and great grandparents. The fabric prints can sometimes be found in the fabric stores today. I also like the attention paid to beauty and to theme. There is no guessing game with the Victorian artists. They painted what they meant and didn't need to explain their meaning. A person could look at these paintings and enjoy them without having to be told what they meant. I love the way the artist painted the flowing folds of cloth, the shadows and the reflection of light from candles and fireplaces. Women at home, in these scenes, create such a beautiful sight, and touch the heart with thoughts of

Great Secret

by Haynes King

1831-1904

Reading

by Jerry Barrat

1858-1889



The Next-Door Neighbor



by Edmund Blair Leighton

1853-1922

Edmund Leighton painted pictures tht depicted a nostalgia of chivalry.




The Wedding Dress

by George Kilburne

1839-1924



Sydney Kendrick

1874-1955
landscape painter




The Shepherd's Family

by Myles Foster

1825-1899
This painter was a wood engraver and a book illustrator.


Girl Stands in a Field Reading Her Book



by Harold Knight

1874-1961
This artist studied architecture before becoming a painter.

18 comments:

Charity said...

Beautiful artwork! My husband and I both enjoy the work of Edmund Blair Leighton. We have a large framed poster of "The Accolade" in our office.

I enjoy your blog. Thank you for all the words of encouragement to Keepers at Home!

Anonymous said...

There are some lovely Victorian era paintings there Lady Lydia. I like the 'Next-door Neighbor' one and the second one. Do you like Alma Tadema by any chance?

Anonymous said...

I love art of that era too. I don't know if you are familiar with Australian art, but this tryptich by Frederich McCubbin is one of my all time favourites. http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.artistsfootsteps.com/images/McCubbin_pioneer.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.artistsfootsteps.com/html/McCubbin_pioneer.htm&h=344&w=480&sz=68&tbnid=IloCbdG7yGUJ::&tbnh=92&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bpioneer%2Bimage&hl=en&usg=__8b3Kmg_3PlCzUtfNNS4Mc4Sk-Tw=&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image&cd=1
Sorry about the long url. You are right about such art telling a story, I could look at them for ages. Regards Julia in Australia

Gail said...

Thank you for these. Today we need more than ever to focus on "whatever is true, whatever is lovely..."

I have always been a big fan of putting lovely images and sweet things in the home, where young minds and hearts are being formed.
We are unconsciously absorbing what surrounds us, and what have the artists and academics chosen to offer? The weird, the evil, the ugly and perverse, in short, the worst side of fallen nature and human depravity.

We must be the antidote, as far as we are able, and the salt which purifies. You are doing that with your blog, as many of us are striving to do, in our own little corners, as well.

As I think about it, perhaps this is yet another reason for us to present a dignified and lovely appearance in our dress and grooming?

Nicole said...

Oh, how lovely! What a great way to start my day. I especially love the cool, crispness of the Next-Door Neighbor. Thanks for starting my day off right!

Also, thanks so much for listing me in your link list. I have had so many visitors to my page that have come by following the link from your site.

God Bless!

Lydia said...

Yes I do like that painter, and many others! I didn't have time to put everything up that I wanted. I will be doing more posts on art, to accommodate the vast amount there is available online, of these Victorian painters.In their bios, I am always interested to see that many of them had training in architecture. Edmund Leighton has evidence of it in the background of many of his paintings.

Lydia said...

Yes I do like that painter, and many others! I didn't have time to put everything up that I wanted. I will be doing more posts on art, to accommodate the vast amount there is available online, of these Victorian painters.In their bios, I am always interested to see that many of them had training in architecture. Edmund Leighton has evidence of it in the background of many of his paintings.

Domestically Inclined said...

They evoke such peace and serenity.

Lisa Winton said...

Thank you, those are beautiful. I also love Victorian era paintings and have been fortunate to find five prints that I purchased in various places for very inexpensive that I have framed myself and now adorn my home. I smile every time I look at them.

Lisa Winton said...

Thank you, those are beautiful. I also love Victorian era paintings and have been fortunate to find five prints that I purchased in various places for very inexpensive that I have framed myself and now adorn my home. I smile every time I look at them.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Lydia. I love Victorian art in fact I like anything before modern art. Some of the post Victorian art was good. Picasso had some good work. Most of the art was sort of primative but you can tell he had some talent but theses kind of artists are just pathetic, Rothko and Jackson Pollock. These people have no skills whatsoever. Even though I like art from the Renaissance to the Victorian period I really feel that the Victorian period was the Golden Age for art. My favorite artists so far are Daniel Ridgeway Knight and Edmund Leighton. Another thing the dresses in Knight's paintings have more beauty to them than the more elegant Victorian dresses in my opinion.

Jane

Dayhiker said...

I love the beautiful paintings that you post! They are a reminder of the serenity we are striving for in our own homes in these unsettled times.

You might be interested in this article and delightful short film, "Lost film footage of Edwardian London discovered"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3248605/Lost-film-footage-of-Edwardian-London-discovered.html

Lydia said...

Cindy, this is fascinating, but is the film itself anywhere online?

Dayhiker said...

I did not find it available online in its entirety, Lydia, though here is a portion that ends where the other began:
http://tinyurl.com/6f92b2

Perhaps the whole 12 minutes will be put online after the film festival where it will be shown through October 30. I hope so!

Rose said...

Lovely pictures.
I to love the Victorian era.

I'm newish to the blog world so i have only just found your site. really love your blog. looking forward to reading more!

Many Blessings
Rose

Rose said...

Lovely pictures.
I to love the Victorian era.

I'm newish to the blog world so i have only just found your site. really love your blog. looking forward to reading more!

Many Blessings
Rose

Emily said...

Dear Lady Lydia,
I'm certain you will enjoy this website I discovered today as it features many beautiful Victorian era paintings:

www.goldenagepaintings.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Caution about telling your husband: I know a woman who did that and her husband was hurt and offended. It did not help their marriage.