Period Clothing
Scarlet Mood
I was almost finished writing about the downside of technology and my computer simply restarted! Everything gone! as frustrating as that was, presenting it supports and serves as a great intro of this blog where I discuss the beauty of historical paintings, and the attire that represented the era vs today. Many of those paintings will remain regardless of a universal glitch!
I feel it takes true talent to make a painting appear regal when the model is wearing modern attire. Modern clothes set the tone and it creates a visual conflict. The very existence of modern attire using an old application brings forth an underlying tension. What do I mean?
For instance, 0il painting is representative of a time where the humanities thrived and humans focused on each other and the painting arts were pertinent to documenting life. The paintings were physical, longstanding and almost mysterious, and included the introduction of an artist's perspective into the lives of those commissioning the projects. This alone involved considerable human interaction. The only 'technology" (if you want to call it that) were the artists' tools. No computer involved. No camera shots when the model left, which can subtly distort the lighting and serve as an extra barrier between the live model and the artist themselves. Even different cameras pick up differences in hues etc... it simply isn't the same. Now the artist is interpreting what the camera is telling them to, standing in the way of true interaction and observation of the human itself.
As for my own human experience and observation, I think the following when I arrive to personal preference:
When I think of modern clothes, I think of cameras, digital enhancements, and what we think of as "technology." I find it represents all that is vapid, superficial, fleeting and temporary. Much of the pop music today is all that comes to mind when I see jeans and a basic top. The musical composition and messages in most modern music isn't dynamic or complex, and the lyrics discourage deep human interactions. The quality of so much is lacking. When I look at paintings from the renaissance or age of enlightenment as an example, I see timeless beauty, quality fabrics, explorations of the human conditions and morals, basically a search for truth and an understanding and appreciation of humanity. Now, I feel we are mass produced and interactions are cheapened. Self-hatred is taught across multiple cultures and many are depending on animals for emotional support ( I receive more commissions of beloved pets than people.) People visit quality pieces of work through websites and learn info from regulated sites. Gone is the exploration of reading physical pages and reading multiple sources arriving to your own conclusion or thoughts.
This is what I see when I see modern clothing in a painting. One day this blog will disappear into thin air if the plug is pulled, but hopefully my physical paintings will stand the test of time, although someone from the future may have trouble dating it at first...
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