frida and salma

July 6th was the birthday of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 - July 13. 1954), whose unique talent and celebrated yet troubled life became the subject of the 2002 biopic Frida.  Directed by Julie Taymor and starring Salma Hayek as Kahlo, Frida won two Academy Awards and was generally praised by critics -- particularly for Hayek's interpretation of Kahlo's complex character.  This month's American Airlines' Spanish language magazine Nexos has a spotlight piece on Salma Hayek, in which she reflects upon Frida Kahlo and how though the artist wasn't a conventional beauty, she was nonetheless charismatically and singularly beautiful.  That despite her being an invalid and having what might be perceived as less than perfect features ("tenía una ceja" or a unibrow, and "un poco de bigote" or a bit of a moustache), she was confident and brave and always her own person.  She also embraced her cultural heritage proudly in her personal style and in her vivid paintings. "Como ella no hay dos," Salma concludes. "Y para mí siempre fue hermosa."

I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought 

there are so many people in the world, there must be someone
just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do.  
-- Frida Kahlo

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Pictured:  Frida Kahlo; Salma Hayek in Frida; and The Two Fridas -- Frida Kahlo, 1939

painting of the month

The Rabbit's Meal -- Henri Rousseau, 1908 (The Barnes Foundation)

artist birthday

Today was once the birthday of British artist John Linnell (June 16, 1792 - 1882), known for his portrait work and landscape painting.  Linnell studied with Benjamin West and John Varley and entered the Royal Academy at the impressive age of just thirteen.  Linnell was also a friend and patron of William Blake, and unlike more conservative artists was supportive of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood when they first came upon the scene.  His career was prolific and successful, and he was additionally prolific as the father of nine children.

Pictured:  John Linnell -- Self Portrait (1860); St. John the Baptist (1867); A River Landscape, Sunset; Lady Torrens and Her Family (1820); William Blake Portrait (1825).  

All images from Wikimedia Commons

painting of the month

Seaside at Agay -- Armand Guillaumin (1841-1927)

eight by the eight on the eighth

They weren't the only artists to depict scenes of winter, but The Eight a/k/a The Ashcan School did seem to have a particularly fine ability to capture snowscapes and cities in the early 20th century.  As evidenced by these eight works, although I included George Bellows (an Eight associate and student of Henri but not an official member) because I wasn't able to find a snowy painting by Arthur B. Davies.  Davies was reportedly one of the least ashcanny of The Eight, however, and seemed to favor more lyrical inspiration vs urban realism.

 

 
Pictured:  Snow in New York -- Robert Henri (1912); Backyards, Greenwich Village -- John Sloan (1914); Cross Streets of New York -- Everett Shinn (1899); Old Grand Central -- Ernest Lawson; Sledding, Central Park -- William Glackens (1912); Winter Night, New York -- George Luks (1930); Snow in April -- Maurice Prendergast (1907); Blue Snow, The Battery -- George Bellows (1910)

painting of the month

 

Cherries in a Silver Compote with Crabapples -- Fede Galizia (1578-1630)

born today

Daniel Koerner -- November 16, 1909 - 1977

Pictured:  West Side Ramp -- circa 1935 (Smithsonian American Art Museum)