'Hope' by George Frederic Watts, 1886
Oil, Tate Gallery, London



Here, Hope is blindfolded, seated on a globe and playing a lyre of which all but one of the strings are broken. Watts wanted to find an original approach to allegory on universal themes. But Hope's attempts to make music appear futile and several critics argued that the work might have been more appropriately titled Despair. Watts explained that 'Hope need not mean expectancy. It suggests here rather the music which can come from the remaining chord'.

Lori wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:49 pm

One of my all time favorite paintings. I own a vintage rendition of this. I appreciate the history and hopefulness of this seemingly forlorn piece. So meaningful to me that you shared this!

"I know."

I thought it would be a perfect start here. It meant so much to me too, to find out we have this commonality. I used to have a print of "Hope" above my bed for years when I was a student. And now I have the copy you've sent me up on my bedroom wall again. Feels just right. Pictures can connect people in such amazing ways! And like songs, they gather all these memories and feelings attached to them like velvet moss.

Malgorzata Chodakowska

Katia Chausheva

So very lovely. Mind if I stay awhile and bask? Can you imagine the joy these artists must have felt at the final outcome?

If the joy we feel just seeing them is anything to go by...

Dee wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:52 pm

The Lady of Shalott by J.W. Waterhouse (1888)

My favorite artist! I am hoping to start a thread! The fabric in this painting kills me!

You just want to run your fingers over that tapestry, right? And the sleeve of her dress!
I love everything about this painting, and have had the pleasure to see it in person several times, as it is in the Tate Gallery in London. I've had a print of it on my wall for years when I was a student. I've also got a beautiful wooden puzzle of the painting from a dear dear friend, which made me focus on the tiniest of the details.

I adore the poem, and all other paintings depicting The Lady of Shallot...

Very much looking forward to your thread on Waterhouse!

'Dancing on the Moon' by Odilon Redon

I'd be happy to have an entire room filled with Marc Chagall's paintings...


The Cock, 1928



Blue Landscape, 1949



The Birthday, 1915

You know I'm strangely drawn to The Cock - I love the feeling of affection between man and bird. Having said that the same tender pose of love is depicted in the head pose of all the paintings you have chosen here. Love them.

I'm so glad, Moonchime! We should definitely have a Marc Chagall Appreciation Thread at some point. He's just wonderful.