Katherine Keenum

Mar 09, 2017 4:09 AM EST

I wonder what the relationship was between mother and daughter. This artist is so self-assured and a believer in women's suffrage. Her "The Prodigal's Return" is the only painting of its kind I've seen with a female prodigal. No man would ever have the courage to mess around with the biblical story in such a way. She was a great feminist painter as well as representing women in the household in what is sometimes the only place they have power over their lives in our era and in the past.

"The Old Poacher" is astounding in its detail and the reactions of the other people around him, and his exhausted expression. Her more simple painting of a fishing village is moving with the isolated woman holding her baby.

Thanks, Katherine, for posting this lovely blog.

- Patricia Franzino

Mar 10, 2017 4:14 AM EST

Pat, you are so right. Clacy's painting of a woman reclining outdoors while she reads is believed to be a portrait of her mother. I like to this they were very close and also quite free-spirited! Katherine

- Katherine Keenum

Nov 14, 2020 8:05 AM EST

Beware, the watercolor of a room in the Cluny is not painted by Ernest Guilliaud (1882) but by Georges Quilliard https://www.photo.rmn.fr/archive/03-005209-2C6NU04U6BTX.html

- Cl

Nov 14, 2020 9:29 AM EST

Thanks to Cl for the correction. I have added it to the original post as well. Glad to know that someone is monitoring the blog so many years later!

- Katherine

Feb 09, 2017 5:36 AM EST

"A Day of Celebration" is not what I expected. It was so subtle and lovely. The light and space of the room with sparse furniture in white wood was so soothing and peaceful. Nothing was in that room that was unnecessary. The young girls looked like the celebration was for something personal for them. The leaves around the table seemed like something a child would use as decoration.

I wonder what kind of "force" was used to stop this woman from painting. Maybe it was family and society in Sweden.

- Patricia Franzino

Feb 13, 2017 3:59 AM EST

I agree entirely with your comments on "A Day of Celebration"! As for what prevented women in Scandinavia, France, England, and America from practicing their art after marriage, it was indeed social pressure. It was considered unladylike and they had enough trouble selling their work as single women! We may have a long way to go, but we can be thankful for the strides our grandmothers made for us. Thanks as always for your comments.

- Katherine Keenum

Dec 23, 2016 10:46 AM EST

What beautiful animation. It's a lovely story with such a great singing cat.

I looked up the singer, Victoria Klasicki. She had a career beginning in Scotland where she studied voice and had different roles including Flora in "The Turn of the Screw."

Something happened with a comment I left for Marvelous Maggie, so I sent it again. I enjoyed that blog, too.

Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Pat

- Patricia Franzino

Dec 25, 2016 4:24 AM EST

Thank you for BOTH your comments! I don't know what happened about the first Marvelous Maggie comment, but it's great to be able to publish the second.

And brava to you for looking up Victoria Klasicki. I didn't think to do that. At first, I was doubtful whether I'd like the video, but it was done in just the right spirit, and she does add a dimension way beyond what my imagination could provide.

Best wishes to you on this first dancing day of Christmas and throughout the coming year.

- Katherine