Beautiful indeed, with a haunting glimpse, I'd say, into the subject's inner life. Which I guess any good portrait should do to some extent, not to mention a great one.
I think my favorite portrait at the Met (or at least ONE of my favorites) is the Velasquez "Juan de Pareja". I remember going over to see it the day it was first shown in 1970 or so. The Met had paid over 5 mil for it, which made it a very controversial purchase. I went out of curiosity, but remained to stare in wonderment. I just couldn't take my eyes off it. I loved everything about it. And I still do. Unfortunately, it is one of those painting that seems so "uncaptureable" in reproduction. This one is better than some others: http://www.artchive.com/artchive/V/velazquez/pareja.jpg.html
LORD GORING. You see, Phipps, Fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear. PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. LORD GORING. Just as vulgarity is simply the conduct of other people. PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. LORD GORING. And falsehoods the truths of other people. PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. LORD GORING. Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.
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Beautiful indeed, with a haunting glimpse, I'd say, into the subject's inner life. Which I guess any good portrait should do to some extent, not to mention a great one.
I think my favorite portrait at the Met (or at least ONE of my favorites) is the Velasquez "Juan de Pareja". I remember going over to see it the day it was first shown in 1970 or so. The Met had paid over 5 mil for it, which made it a very controversial purchase. I went out of curiosity, but remained to stare in wonderment. I just couldn't take my eyes off it. I loved everything about it. And I still do. Unfortunately, it is one of those painting that seems so "uncaptureable" in reproduction.
This one is better than some others: http://www.artchive.com/artchive/V/velazquez/pareja.jpg.html
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