Seattle Art Museum’s Post

In the intricate realm where fibres and threads are woven together, carpets and rugs emerge not just as functional objects but as masterpieces of craftsmanship. They stand as silent storytellers, whispering tales of mystical realms and transcendent paradises. Read my latest for identity below:

London's Museums and Galleries Get a Majestic Metal Makeover! --  In London, UK, a city steeped in history and art, the Museums and Galleries are not just about what's on the inside anymore. The entrance has become a part of the exhibit, thanks to the stunning Custom Metal Gates crafted by Crazy Metal. Visualize approaching one of London's famed museums or galleries. Instead of a simple doorway, you're welcomed by a gate that's a masterpiece in itself. Intricate patterns, bold designs, blending history with modernity – these gates are not just barriers but portals to the world of art and culture. Crazy Metalhas transformed these entryways into statements of creativity and elegance. Each gate tells a story, perhaps of the treasures that lie within or the legacy of the institution. In a city known for its architectural marvels, these custom metal gates have become landmarks in their own right. These gates do more than just impress; they set the tone for the artistic journey ahead. They remind visitors that art isn't confined to canvas or sculptures; it begins right at the doorstep. As you next wander through the streets of London, take a moment to admire these metal marvels. They are not mere entrances; they are the first brushstrokes on the canvas of your cultural exploration, masterfully created by Crazy Metal. #LondonArtScene #MetalGateMagic #MuseumEntrancesReimagined

Timorous Beasties is to present Toile Tales at Musée de la Toile de Jouy, including a retrospective exhibition and special display of new toiles to accompany a series of tales (9th February – 19th May). 👉 https://loom.ly/k8aBSHM To complement this 2024 retrospective exhibition, Timorous Beasties are introducing a new collection of Toile Tales. Inspired by some of the earliest Oberkampf toile patterns depicting Fontaine’s fables, they have developed an oblique divergence whereby toile has come to represent a unique form of story-telling. Indeed, as a popular source of entertainment, as well as instruction regarding the vagaries of human nature, the brevity of fables lent themselves perfectly to instantly recognisable vignettes of pattern and repeat. #commercialinteriros

At https://lnkd.in/d-b4r6y8, we may have read how the so-called – in Italian – “capricci” were typical Baroque paintings, imaginary landscapes or scenes where mostly real classical ruins or ancient Roman monuments were assembled together. Indeed, the fashion for such artworks spread somewhat later, during the 18th century. However, they weren't only strange compositions, but also creative expressions of a free will to representation. In the top images, below: “Capriccio with Classical Ruins”, by the Venetian Giovanni Antonio Canal, nicknamed Canaletto (partial view: private collection; 1723); “Capriccio of Classical Ruins”, by the Italian Giovanni Paolo Panini (private collection; ca. 1725-30). In the background of the former, one can discern well-known monuments of Rome as the Pyramid of Cestius and the Arch of Constantine, which couldn't be seen together in reality, but also part of the Palladian Basilica in Vicenza, northern Italy, which is a Renaissance classicist building such as reconstructed by the architect Andrea Palladio. What Canaletto wants to suggest is almost a continuity, between a then modern architecture and Roman antiquity. Lower, two oils on canvas more, by French artists: on the left, Charles-Louis Clérisseau, “Ruins from the Ancient Baths in Nîmes” (Musée Barrois, Bar-le-Duc, France; likely, second half of the 18th cent.); on the right, Hubert Robert, “Imaginary View of the Grande Galerie of the Louvre in Ruins” (Louvre Museum, Paris; 1796). In particular, the date of the last visionary and catastrophic work lets us suppose that the author was impressed by the French Revolution, in its most violent and destructive events.

Made in Italy by Capodarte Kimi Italian Mirror by Capodarte. The Kimi mirror from Capodarte, part of the Ciciriello group, embodies both artistic expression and practical functionality. Here's what sets it apart: - Design: With its distinctive shape, the Kimi mirror introduces a modern and artistic flair to any space, deviating from traditional mirror designs to become a focal point of

🎨 *Diving into Egon Schiele’s “Harbor of Trieste” (1907)* 🎨 This fascinating artwork painted by Egon Schiele in 1907 captures the enigmatic allure of the Trieste harbor during early modernism. Known for his intense expressionism, Schiele depicts the harbor not through traditional beauty, but with a raw, angular perspective that highlights the tumultuous spirit of the sea and industrial activity. *Style and Medium:* Schiele's early work often showcased a less aggressive tone compared to his later pieces, yet the budding elements of his distinct expressionistic style are evident. In "Harbor of Trieste," we see him working primarily in oil on canvas, harnessing somber color palettes and a focus on distorted forms to invite viewers into a forged emotional realm. *Artistic Vision:* Schiele’s choice of rough seas and dreary skies over the vibrant Trieste landscape not only reflects the emotional isolation seen in his later figures but can also be seen as a metaphor for his personal turmoils and artistic struggles. This piece stands as a testament to how environment can fundamentally shape human emotion and creativity. *Controversies:* Schiele's career was marred by numerous controversies, notably his bold depictions of the human body and eroticism, which led to his arrest for public indecency. The uneasy reception of his works often clashed with his expressive style and themes, challenging societal norms of the early 20th century. This artwork is more than just a scenic depiction; it’s a deep, moody dialogue between the artist and his environment, a prelude to Schiele’s unflinching exploration of human emotions and existential themes. Explore the stirring depths of Schiele’s art in this mesmerizing harbor view. #EgonSchiele #HarborOfTrieste #Expressionism #ViennaSecession #ArtHistory #ModernArt #Early20thCentury #OilPainting #ArtisticVision #ControversialArt #ExpressionisticArt #Modernism #ArtLover #Gallery #InstaArt #FineArt #ArtCollector #Artwork #HistoricArt #ArtisticExpression #Expressionist #Masterpiece #ArtExhibition #EmotionalArt #MoodyArt #RawArt #CreativeExploration

FOR SALE: A UNIQUE PIECE OF OCCITAN HISTORY A couple of times a year, I cycle, run or walk past the Château de Magrin. It stands on a mount above La Voie Romaine between Puylaurens and Lavaur in the department of the Tarn. Depending on my mode of locomotion, a number of thoughts cross my mind while I pass beneath its walls. ‘La Voie Romaine is an old road, but there is no evidence to link it to the Romans in particular…What we can see of this château today mostly dates from the 16th century onwards, but the site was fortified as long ago as the 12th and maybe much earlier…Magrin contains the first and only museum in France dedicated to the blue dye called pastel, or woad, which made this region so rich in the 16th and 17th centuries…’ What prompts me to write about Magrin today is an article I spotted recently in the local press. The Château de Magrin and its pastel museum are for sale for €527,000! Sotheby’s has the exclusive selling rights, and naturally the photos on its website are far better than mine. Sotheby’s text is less impressive, and the English version confuses cocoa with cocagne which is a shame because cocagnes are particularly important in this story. Among the reasons the Château de Magrin is classified as a Monument Historique is that it contains a rare example of a building where cocagnes were dried. This was an early stage in the process of transforming green leaves from the pastel plant into powdered blue dye. The first stage involved grinding the leaves into a paste, and in another part of the château you will find the stones of a pastel mill rescued from a neighbouring commune. I have a cocagne on my desk, next to a mug of cocoa (Sotheby’s has put ideas into my head). My cocagne looks like one of those fat balls people hang out in their gardens for the birds, only darker. If I sniff it, there is the faintest aroma of dried foliage. My clearest memory from the time I went inside the château several years ago is a bush in its gardens. With a sense of irony, or perhaps to illustrate his guided tour, the previous owner planted an indigo tree. This was one of the key factors in pastel’s demise. Although dye made from indigo leaves could not match the glorious blues of pastel, it enjoyed overwhelming commercial advantages. Its cultivation was much simpler and therefore cheaper; its pigment was far easier for the dyers to work with; its transport was much more economic because it was a stronger, more concentrated product than pastel. If you want to know more about the pastel business without splashing out on a château and a museum dedicated to the subject, you might like to read three previous articles I have written. https://lnkd.in/dpaxZVrb Please note: I have no involvement with the marketing of this château and I will earn no commission when it is sold (what a pity!). Neither do I know if new owners will reopen the museum.

10 Must-See Landmarks in Naples, Italy: From Ancient Ruins to Contemporary Art 10 Must-See Landmarks in Naples, Italy: From Ancient Ruins to Contemporary Art ... Read More - https://lnkd.in/dvDYPWvX

It’s all about the unique craftsmanship.