Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Left Bracket Seventh Round: Wyeth v. Monet



Andrew Wyeth provisionally tied with Rembrandt 7-7, then won by rule after my own vote was discounted -- the thinnest margin of victory since Sofonisba Anguissola beat Antonello da Messina 6-6 under the Grudge Match rule back in the year '13.  While Rembrandt fans mutter about how "there were some real funny calls in that match," Wyeth moves on to try his brush against the Giverny Giant, the Emperor of Impressionism, Mr. Claude Monet!


Wyeth's "oblique self-portrait," Trodden Weed.
Andrew Wyeth
1917 - 2009
American
Wyeth’s technical resources are remarkable. His work displays a strong linear quality, and within his limited palette—consisting mostly of earth tones—he achieves a subtly extensive range of colour. His paintings are precise and detailed, yet he moves them beyond photographic naturalism by imbuing them with a sense of subjective emotion. This work also exemplifies his use of unusual angles and his mastery of light.... Art historians have often characterized Wyeth’s work as sentimental and antithetical to the abstract trajectory of 20th-century art. In the face of such criticism, Wyeth’s work has always been popular.
- The Britannica












Claude Monet
1840 - 1926
French
Claude Monet was a key figure in the Impressionist movement that transformed French painting in the second half of the nineteenth century. Throughout his long career, Monet consistently depicted the landscape and leisure activities of Paris and its environs as well as the Normandy coast. He led the way to twentieth-century modernism by developing a unique style that strove to capture on canvas the very act of perceiving nature.
- - The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
  • Skunked! Skunked Henry Moore in Round 1
  • Skunked! Skunked Fernand Léger in Round 2
  • Beat Gustave Moreau easily in Round 3.
  • Defeated Norman Rockwell in the Fourth Round by a single vote. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!
  • Beat Georgia O'Keeffe in Round 5.
  • Got past Patinir in Round 6.
  • Lost to Leonardo da Vinci in Round 7.







13 comments:

DrSchnell said...

Wyeth

Morgan said...

Monet for me.

mrs.5000 said...

Well, OK! I voted for Rembrandt over Wyeth, but find myself backing Wyeth over Monet without much hesitation. Guess I like my art on the crisp side, though of course that's only one of Wyeth's many virtues.

Nichim said...

Wyeth

Alexandra Shields said...

Wyeth

Candida said...

Monet.

boonec1974 said...

Wyeth

Michael5000 said...

Monet, sure.

Michael5000 said...

Ann and Mariah both say Wyeth on FB.

UnwiseOwl said...

Wyeth is good and all, but Monet is most assuredly Monet, and thus has my vote.

Michael5000 said...

Susan says "I thought I would vote for Wyeth this time, but decided on MONET instead."

Elder Moore said...

A cruel choice, but I'm voting for Wyeth.

Michael5000 said...

Wyeth wins, 8 votes to 5! Wyeth is one of the last eight artists standing! And Monet is out -- he'll probably end up at about 13th overall! That's real good!