Man About Mayfair
Sir Basil Seal
As has been discussed, the RCBfA wanted to share with you, gentle reader, some of our favourite works of art. As you will discover upon viewing this selection, our discriminating taste is second to none. We are always on the look out for the quick, bold wrist work, the subtle repoussoir, the lack of impasto, we seek the clean, flat surface. We seek the exquisite chiaroscuro technique of a master. We, of course, are interested in the technique of the artist, the skill of composition, the heart and soul of the true artist. Please enjoy this selection of paintings that we seem to return to again and again because of their technical brilliance. Thank you.
I hope that the exchanges about P.G. Wodehouse have put Dawn Eden off of Patum Peperium for a while because I cringe to think what she'll think of us if she pays a visit now. The alleged temptations posed by P.G. Wodehouse will seem benign indeed compared to those on offer from the RCBfA.
And just so everyone knows, I come to Patum Peperium for the articles. I don't look at the pictures.
Posted by: Old Dominion Tory | September 05, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Very dramatic chiaroscuro! And the repoussoir -- subtle indeed! Hear, hear!
Posted by: RCB for Pre-Raphaelite Demented Stoats | September 05, 2007 at 05:24 PM
Thank you.
Posted by: Demented Stoat | September 05, 2007 at 05:44 PM
I don't understand...What "temptation" could possibly be posed by these works of art? Do you mean one might be "tempted" to visit an art museum? Doesn't seem so bad.
Posted by: Basil Seal | September 05, 2007 at 05:49 PM
The new wall-hangings have the feel of a French flophouse about them.
Posted by: Andrew Cusack | September 05, 2007 at 06:28 PM
The irony, of course, is that this stuff was considered "academic" and "stuffy" way back when, the products of a hide-bound tradition desperately in need of Fauvists, Cubists and Impressionists to open the windows a bit.
If this was the current idea of "academic" art I might have stayed in school a tad longer.
Posted by: Mr. Peperium | September 05, 2007 at 07:03 PM
"If this was the current idea of "academic" art I might have stayed in school a tad longer."
Instead he opted to marry an art student and take the home study course...
"The new wall-hangings have the feel of a French flophouse about them."
Actually, they look remarkable like the contents of my portfolio, Andrew. For those of you who think Mr. P married me for my stock portfolio, in all seriousness, you need to really think again.
Sir Bay-sel, words fail at expressing my gratitude for your handling of the blog during my absence. Perhap you've earned an old painting of mine if Mr. P will consent to parting with any. Though admittedly, I was a protestant when I painted the girls so the brushstroke may be too --oh,how does one say it?--too bold and lifelike for you. The women really do at times seem to not be flat. In fact my professor used to say they lept off the canvas at him. And that he liked that.
But you, as you've stated, are purely interested in flat women...
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium | September 05, 2007 at 07:20 PM
I am rather amazed to discover that I lived in the 19th century and posed for an English artist. I have no memory of this.
Posted by: Dawn Eden | September 05, 2007 at 07:49 PM
And someone please tell me how our young Mr. Cusack knows what the inside of a French flophouse looks like...
Posted by: Basil Seal | September 05, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Evangelization, old boy, evangelization.
Posted by: Andrew Cusack | September 05, 2007 at 08:56 PM
That's what I thought when I saw you there...Good Show!
Posted by: Basil Seal | September 05, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Of course, Sir Basil was there passing out Divine Mercy tracts. Isn't that right?
Posted by: Christine | September 05, 2007 at 09:22 PM
What? What? Tracts? Oh, er, yes, yes , passing out tracts. You are exactly right my dear. That's what I was doing...
Posted by: Basil Seal | September 05, 2007 at 09:35 PM
French flophouse? More like the Oval Office circa 1998...
Posted by: Fr. M. | September 05, 2007 at 09:41 PM
Do you know I was at school with the girl that made Hillary's hat for the first inaugural? I was. That was most hideous hat too. Bright blue.
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium | September 05, 2007 at 09:57 PM
Now if I actually am successfully able to swim the Tiber, I am entitled to join the RCBfA, right? Right? I mean, for the articles.....
Posted by: Robbo the Llama Butcher | September 05, 2007 at 10:33 PM
My Dear Robbo, once you're over the subscription is free!
Posted by: Basil Seal | September 05, 2007 at 11:01 PM
I think we need some of these to assist the ladies depicted above...
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/fruits/fig3.htm
Posted by: Fr. M. | September 06, 2007 at 12:06 AM
Unfortunately, I think fig leaves were one of the things tossed out with the Reformation...
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium | September 06, 2007 at 06:49 AM
Irish Elk demonstrated his support for the RCBfA yesterday. Alas, the image he posted does not have the artistic quality and luminous nature of the ones posted by Sir Basil.
Moreover, Irish Elk seems to be trying the ol' "shock the bourgeoisies" trick (popular among a brand of artists who are paid from the public till) by choosing an image of a woman sunk deeply into degradation and vice, as demonstrated by a flagrant display of her . . . cigarette.
Posted by: Old Dominion Tory | September 06, 2007 at 08:41 AM
ODT, don't overlook the Libertine Lady's cocktail, which appears to be crowned by some sort of whipped topping.
Posted by: MCNS | September 06, 2007 at 10:37 AM
I've been trying to figure out what that concoction is...
And Basil--what a compassionate heart he has for the weaker sex. To think that he spends his afternoons ministering to the downtrodden poor in dosshouses, where the girlish inhabitants lack the means even to pay for clothing. What a fellow!
Posted by: Christine | September 06, 2007 at 11:27 AM
What a job!
Posted by: Basil Seal | September 06, 2007 at 01:16 PM