Last week this painting sold for $25 million. (3min)
If you are an art novice, like us, sometimes experts come off a bit stuffy, and sometimes you won’t love what they think you should love (or purchase for $25 million!). That’s ok. Like music, everyone can have their own taste. But it’s good to be open to new stuff, you might something that really blows your hair back.
So what’s the big deal about very rich and fancy people buying another an old painting for more money than most people see in their entire lifetime? Good question.
Mr. Turner
We’re sharing this because we happen to be big fans of J. M. W. Turner having only come across him in the last couple years and maybe you’re not familair with him either. Turner was a wonderfully talented and controversial British artist known as the “painter of light” who put landscape painting the map in the early 1800s. Landscape painting, to us, is an easier form of art to appreciate and understand. We’ve all been outdoors, we understand that there are different climates, and geographies etc.
Just watch out for Turner, later in life his colors and light might just melt your face, to use a technical term.
On a trip to London a few years ago Dan was lucky enough to see Turner’s Hannibal and his Men crossing the Alps at the Tate museum. It’s massive, nearly 5’ x 8’.
Some interpretations include a man vs nature theme which really resonated when seeing it in person.
Who does Hannibal think he is going into a storm and trying to survive against nature? Hubris!! Or, put another way, does Hannibal recognize he is no match for nature but tries anyway? Honor!! Bravery!!
Turner put a unique spin on the painting as you might see from the image on the right. Where is Hannibal? You have to look very very carefully, after all he is just a man, he’s no real match for nature.
To be in on the secret, watch this clip, from Mr. Turner a 2014 biopic.
Our kids love being in on the secret and being able to point out to friends and family where Hannibal is (we printed out a copy and hung it in our son’s room). Hannibal, from Carthage who “did not like Romans, and Romans did not like Hannibal…” is a favorite bedtime story for the past couple years. We stop the story after Hannibal and the elephants make it to Italy to “battle Romans” telling him he can learn more when he’s older.
Turner may seem too unrealistic for you (at least his later works) but in case you’re interested in more there is a movie that came out last year that captures his curmudgeonly, witty, well traveled artist with a most interesting life story. Trailer below.
talk soon,
Dan & Betsy
Resources
- Watch – Mr. Turner movie (trailer) (rent it here)
- JMW Turner episode of excellent BBC series Power of Art examines “Slave Ship” work above
Family conversation topic: How close are you to what people would consider a “masterpiece”? Perhaps your family can go there and judge for yourself (on a free day?). Are there works you like even more?