Saturday, April 13, 2013

The Infinite Art Tournament, Round One: Fragonard v. Francis!

Jean-Honoré Fragonard
1732 - 1806
French



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Sam Francis
1923 - 1994
American



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Vote for the artist of your choice!  Votes go in the comments.  Commentary and links to additional work are welcome.  Polls open for at least one month past posting.

14 comments:

Christine M. said...

Fragonard

Sarah Nopp said...

Francis

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater said...

You know I gotta vote for the first guy because I love how the guy looking up the woman on the swing's dress is not even being subtle about it. In fact, he is pointing at her cooch! Amazing painting, and I know art . . .

Morgan said...

I've been in the mood for abstract art lately, but I've gotta go for Fragonard and his opulent mirthfulness.

lamanyana said...

Francis

mrs.5000 said...

For me, Fragonard is one of those painters who suffers a bit from the styles of his day--I just have trouble with all the rococo wiggy flouncy business--but he was obviously a helluva painter. He's got my vote.

pfly said...

I'll go for Fragonard in all his ridiculousness.

Chuckdaddy said...

Hmmm... Tough choice. I'll lean slightly to Sam Francis on the basis of his second from above that reminds me of a quilt on fire.

Elizabeth said...

Fragonard, definitely. I love the way she's just insouciantly flinging off her shoes.

Michael5000 said...

Email vote for Fragonard.

Michael5000 said...

In Dr. Noisewater's analysis of the patent sexuality of Fragonard's landmark rococo painting, he neglects to note that in the second piece shown here the piano teacher is scoping out his student about as thoroughly as he possibly could. There's something cute about this stuff, sexuality that even your primmest maiden aunt could enjoy. I like it more and more as time goes on, to the point where these days I almost like it.

I like the Sam Francis abstractions, too, especially the vibrant warm colors of the second one. I'm guessing, though, that the palate is given a helping hand by the computer-screen intermediary, and that in person it might feel like hotel art of the 1980s. Hard to say.

I'm going to go Fragonard.

Candida said...

Fragonard, naturellement!

Alison said...

Fragonard

Michael5000 said...

And it's a win for the rococo as Fragonard swings by Francis, 10-3! Fragonard takes on an equally unlikely opponent this week in Round Two.