Morandi’s Still Life, 1920, gouache copy, 7.25 x 5.5 in (18.42 x 13.97 cm), 11/26/2008
Cezanne’s The Dessert, c. 1873-77, gouache copy, 5.5 x 7.25 in (13.97 x 18.42 cm), 11/27/2008
Last week I had the tremendous good fortune to see the Giorgio Morandi show in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (closing Dec 14). Of the many branches in the family tree that can be traced between painters, Morandi leads among others directly to Paul Cezanne. In a New Yorker article by Malcolm Gladwell (Late Bloomers, Oct 20, 2008), he quotes a letter from Cezanne’s friend Zola to the then young, undeveloped painter in which he recommends a typical day of study:
“Paris offers…the museums in which you can study the old masters from 11 to 4. This is how you must divide your time. From 6 to 11 you go to a studio to paint from a live model; you have lunch, then from 12 to 4 you copy, in the Louvre or the Luxembourg, whatever masterpiece you like.”
Advice that is still useful today.
Cezanne’s Still Life with Basket of Apples, c. 1895, gouache copy, 5.5 x 7.25 in (13.97 x 18.42 cm), 11/24/2008
Cezanne’s Still Life with Apples, c. 1895, gouache copy, 5.5 x 7.25 in (13.97 x 18.42 cm), 11/24/2008
2 Comments
Just a comment about progress since you might not see it as readily as a fresh eye might. It’s huge. I think your diligent approach to study is paying off. What you learn from one type of studying eventually shows up in the paintings.
I’m pleased that you think so. The cross pollination benefits are exciting and I want to do more of it. It is dismaying to have a break-through day that is followed by lousy ones. I guess that’s the way it goes. I appreciate your encouragement very much. Thanks!