CHARLES MERYON

 

Post 186 -by Gautam Shah

Sunday Feature on ART of Architecture

Charles Meryon (also Méryon) (1821-1868) was a French artist. He worked almost exclusively in etchings (since 1848 ), as he suffered from colour blindness. He was also handicapped by mental illness.

Meryon is recognized as the most important etching artist of 19^th C France. He, from a young age, wanted to serve with the Navy. In the Navy, he sailed around the world including, Australasia and the South Seas. He sketched his voyages, such as landscapes, houses, or boats sailing near the coast. Many years later, these sketches became part of his etchings.

Meryon’s earliest projects belonged to the conventional history views, but it was after he was forced to etching, he began to work on architectural subjects, often in a romantic style. In his etchings he took Paris as his principal topic, and it was here that his art truly began to flourish.

Meryon’s drawings include human figures and animals, but show his lack of training. But he presented those visuals as a reflection of different cultures.

Meryon was a meticulous person in detailing out the architecture. He would devise a complete building from the multiple sketches, as bottom upwards, the same manner as the builder. His etchings of Paris cover straightforward topographical views along with romantic and disturbing fantasies.

Charles Meryon was a peculiar genius but of sulking and introspective temperament. He had a mother who was a flirt, and very disturbed childhood. He died as poor person, in a mental asylum. 

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ARISTARKH LENTULOV

 

Post 185 -by Gautam Shah

SUNDAY Feature on ART of Architecture

Aristarkh Lentulov was a Russian artist (1882-1943). He was influenced by the French artist Robert Delaunay and drawn to Orphism (an offshoot of Cubism that focussed on pure abstraction and bright colours). He, however, developed his own unique style of pure tonal colours. ‘Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich were both influenced by him’. His personal style took shape by 1910s, when he synthesized the spatial concepts of Cubism and the colours of Fauvism.

Lentulov was one of the most important figures in the Russian avant-garde movement, and a major influence on the Russian Futurism and Cubist-Futurism.

Lentulov was actively involved in various theatrical projects. This endowed certain dramatic character to his compositions. His art was heavily inspired by traditional patterns of Russian folk arts. Aristarkh Lentulov was nicknamed the ‘painter of the sun’.

Lentulov, from 1920s, adopted realistic style and began to paint smaller works. Between 1920-30s he devoted himself to painting from nature.

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ERIC RAVILIOUS

 

Post 184 -Gautam Shah

SUNDAY Feature on ART of Architecture

Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) was a British watercolour painter, print maker, and designer. His portfolio of works was varied. It included illustrations, book-jackets, and designs for furniture, glass, textiles, pottery, etc. He was extraordinarily a skilled wood engraver.

He was an official war Artist, and he produced some memorable water-colours of naval scenes off Norway.

Ravilious, in spite of the water colour as medium, uses striking bold and tonal contrasts, complex patterning. His trees and the nature are immortal, frozen in time. His landscapes are empty of people or life. His drawings give a sense of monochrome.

Ravilious was highly an individualistic painter, unaffected by the current styles and ‘isms. He was so consistent and distinct that his work can be easily recognized.

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