What a powerful painting. I think it looks more ambivalent to me. I take relief in seeing that there are doors on both sides of her, and they are open. The geometric shape looks to me like it has full sails on stork legs. If the doors were closed, the sails were slack, or the mostly cloudy sky had less light burning through, I’d be more concerned for this mother. But I agree with you that she feels responsible for all of this, alone and dry.
Also, she is young. I think she’ll manage. But she won’t falsify that it’s lonely and hard.
It's such an emotional piece, isn't it. But I love the way you are looking for signs of hope. All artworks have things to say about the maker but also the spectator. Thanks for joining in!
I'm so glad, Lora, thank you. My ramblings are never to be taken as definitive, though. I truly believe that there can be as many interpretations as viewers for a piece like this. But I love hearing how other people see art (or respond to literature) which is why I 'go first', hoping others will join in!
I have a high creepiness tolerance, so it wasn't that so much as it felt so astute I think about how we treat and perceive our pets--me included. But she created it in the 40s, when society didn't treat pets like children the way we do now...which makes me wonder about how little has changed for women over the years--the mothering one who takes care of everything. It's a very arresting painting...
What a powerful painting. I think it looks more ambivalent to me. I take relief in seeing that there are doors on both sides of her, and they are open. The geometric shape looks to me like it has full sails on stork legs. If the doors were closed, the sails were slack, or the mostly cloudy sky had less light burning through, I’d be more concerned for this mother. But I agree with you that she feels responsible for all of this, alone and dry.
Also, she is young. I think she’ll manage. But she won’t falsify that it’s lonely and hard.
It's such an emotional piece, isn't it. But I love the way you are looking for signs of hope. All artworks have things to say about the maker but also the spectator. Thanks for joining in!
Thanks for interpreting the painting, Kathy, I got more out of it with your explanation. I read Tanning's memoir, "Between Lives."
I'm so glad, Lora, thank you. My ramblings are never to be taken as definitive, though. I truly believe that there can be as many interpretations as viewers for a piece like this. But I love hearing how other people see art (or respond to literature) which is why I 'go first', hoping others will join in!
That baby face on the dog!!!!!!
Creepy or what?
I have a high creepiness tolerance, so it wasn't that so much as it felt so astute I think about how we treat and perceive our pets--me included. But she created it in the 40s, when society didn't treat pets like children the way we do now...which makes me wonder about how little has changed for women over the years--the mothering one who takes care of everything. It's a very arresting painting...