JaZzArt en València

So I have asked you, and you have responded. Your definitions of art are phenomenal and I greatly appreciate them. And I agree with all the points of view as expressed. But I must add that to me, art is a profession. It is not a whim, a dream, or a spiritual experience. Neither does it depend on inspiration or muses to exist. I paint because it is my chosen career, my profession and my job, and I love it. But it is a profession which I treat just like if it had been medicine, architecture or engineering.

To be a professional artist one does not need formal schooling, but one needs to learn. And there is no such thing as being a self-taught artist. One cannot teach oneself something one does not know. You cannot teach yourself how to build a rocket to the moon or a submarine to explore the Mariana Trench. So, you either take the classical approach and go to uni or you find yourself a master, or a private academy and you enrol and learn and then you keep on learning, because art is the result of the search and searching means exploring, investigating, and ultimately learning.

So, yes, art is beautiful, meaningful, and a perfect expression of our humanity. But that art that is so appreciated was created by artists that worked hard, explored hard and solved problems within their canvases or sculptures, to arrive at the final product. And finally, artists work because they want to get paid. So, in the end, art is a means of making money. And there is nothing wrong with that. I am sure you, like everyone else, works for money, not for the love of art…

CHEERS

That was 1966… and so we have progressed…actually just moved forward…almost 30 years and nothing has changed…

CHEERS

Más o menos como en la vida, ¿No?

Sin duda alguna, entre las obras de arte más famosas de la historia, encontrareis a «Las meninas«, (o «La familia de Felipe IV«). Es obra representativa del último periodo estilístico de Diego Velázquez (Sevilla,1599-Madrid,1660), o sea, obra de su plena madurez. Fue pintada al óleo sobre un enorme lienzo (320,5 cm × 281,5 cm). Fijaos que las figuras del primer plano son de tamaño natural. Es una de las obras más analizadas, visitadas (en el Museo del Prado) y comentadas del mundo… Comenzaré diciéndoos que el tema es el retrato de la infanta Margarita Teresa de Austria (infanta española) rodeada por sus sirvientes, «las meninas». Al lado izquierdo hay un gran lienzo, y detrás del mismo el autorretrato Velázquez. Un toque brillante del pintor fue haber puesto el punto de fuga en la parte superior y detrás, así logra que recorramos el cuadro entero con la mirada. En el cuadro también figuran, en un espejo, el rey Felipe IV y la reina consorte Mariana de Austria. Curiosamente, el pintor hizo que la infanta Margarita y las meninas vengan a su estudio a posar para el cuadro. Y bueno, aunque Velázquez tenia fama de ser un poco flojo, este cuadro si se lo tuvo que currar y bien. Definitivamente uno de mis favoritos y muy importante para la historia del arte.

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Undoubtedly, among the most famous works of art in history, you will find «Las Meninas», (or «The family of Philip IV»). The painting is representative of the last stylistic period of Diego Velázquez (Seville, 1599-Madrid, 1660), that is, the work of his full maturity. It was painted in oil on a huge canvas (320.5 cm × 281.5 cm). Note that the figures in the foreground are life-size. It is one of the most analysed, visited, (at the Prado Museum) and commented works of art in the world… I will begin by telling you that the subject is the portrait of the Infanta Margarita Teresa of Austria (Infanta Española) surrounded by her servants, «las meninas» (which only means young girls of noble birth at the service of the royal family). On the left side there is a large canvas, and behind it the Velázquez self-portrait. A brilliant touch from the painter was to have put the vanishing point on the top and behind, so we can walk the entire painting with our eyes. The painting also includes, in a mirror, King Felipe IV and Queen consort Mariana of Austria. Interestingly, the painter had the Infanta Margarita and her meninas come to her studio to pose for the painting. And well, although Velázquez had a reputation for being a little lazy, to finish this painting he had to work hard and well. Definitely one of my favourites and very important for the history of art.

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GRACIAS – CHEERS

That was 1966… and so we have progressed…actually just moved forward…almost 30 years and nothing has changed…

CHEERS

CHEERS

(And I really don’t wish that but it was a good hook for the song. I love 2025)

So I have asked you, and you have responded. Your definitions of art are phenomenal and I greatly appreciate them. And I agree with all the points of view as expressed. But I must add that to me, art is a profession. It is not a whim, a dream, or a spiritual experience. Neither does it depend on inspiration or muses to exist. I paint because it is my chosen career, my profession and my job, and I love it. But it is a profession which I treat just like if it had been medicine, architecture or engineering.

To be a professional artist one does not need formal schooling, but one needs to learn. And there is no such thing as being a self-taught artist. One cannot teach oneself something one does not know. You cannot teach yourself how to build a rocket to the moon or a submarine to explore the Mariana Trench. So, you either take the classical approach and go to uni or you find yourself a master, or a private academy and you enrol and learn and then you keep on learning, because art is the result of the search and searching means exploring, investigating, and ultimately learning.

So, yes, art is beautiful, meaningful, and a perfect expression of our humanity. But that art that is so appreciated was created by artists that worked hard, explored hard and solved problems within their canvases or sculptures, to arrive at the final product. And finally, artists work because they want to get paid. So, in the end, art is a means of making money. And there is nothing wrong with that. I am sure you, like everyone else, works for money, not for the love of art…

CHEERS

Only those with something to hide, or cowards cover their faces. I served 30 years and never once did I or any of my colleagues covered our face. A detainee has the right to know who is detaining him. I can’t believe they are real agents!

Sofonisba Anguissola is considered the first «successful» woman artist (painter) of the Renaissance… She served in the court of Phillip II of Spain, the most powerful monarch of the times… She is known for her portraits and for establishing new rules of painting feminine portraits… I think you will enjoy her paintings…

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CHEERS

To me Sandro Botticelli is the master of masters of the Renaissance. He created the most beautiful, and meaningful paintings, especially the phenomenal «Birth of Venus». I have heard of many people, including an artist that I know, that almost fainted while standing before this painting. They were stunned by its beauty and captured by the Stendhal (or Florence) Syndrome…

I hope you enjoy this edition of the series…

CHEERS