Saint Petersburg

Meeting The Master, with Odd Nerdrum.

The writer Torgrim Eggen interviews Odd Nerdrum at the cultural heart of Russia, visiting the Hermitage Museum, the State Russian Museum, St. Isaac's cathedral and the Repin Academy.

I toured the same museum and sights in Russia last August. In this video, Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum is paying hommage to Rembrandt, in the same manner that I paid hommage to Matisse when I went to St Petersburg. Read I Ascended Alone, where I recount my own life-changing trip.

Kids Those Days

Our friend Adam Cope reminds us why drawing and painting one's children is something artists are fond of doing.  In a very well blogged report, he takes us through a chef's tour of some tender and poignant children's portraits.


I was happy to find his link to a blog titled ArtKids, Artistic depictions of children.

Rembrandt 

I remember best the one by Rembrandt that is a sanguine chalk sketch of two matrons and a toddler.  It's in the gaze of the child that this one comes alive.


Let me add these two reactions I had to this subject.  


Last night I watched an interview by Charlie Rose detailing an exhibition of Henri Matisse works, and one of the major works is this one of Pierre Matisse taking his piano lessons.  It has layers and layers of meaning, and I always enjoy studying this painting, which has to do with the First World War. It is interesting to note that Pierre is depicted as an adolescent, but when Matisse painted this, his son was serving as a soldier.


You know when you go to a Charlie Rose interview, you will be tied up for an hour, so be forewarned.


Secondly, I want you to see the work of Antti Rautiola, of Finland, whose subjects are children.