| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 11:16:13
|
We've all heard the expression that a picture paints a thousand words here are some paintings of African Presence in Europe. As part of the Black History month heald and the V&A Gallery. As we know African history is world history and should be taught all year around. Without further adieu let me know what you think folks.http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/collection/features/black_presence/default.htm
Peace
Sister Omega
|
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 07:04:27
|
Thank you for presenting us with this link to the National Gallery's collection. Very beautiful - wish i had a chance to see this special exhibition. The link made it possible for me, however, to see all the paintings up close and in detail. I have to admit that I didn't know that in so many 17th century European paintings a black man or woman would play a part.
I am curious what your point is, apart from wanting to share this wonderful link. Anyway, one of the descriptions ('Who are you') told us that 'we should not assume that all the black people we see in Western European painting are servants or that they are necessarily disempowered'. Maybe, thinking of it again, this was exactly the point you wanted to make - that it would be patronising to 'assume' this in the first place. If this is what you wanted to make clear to us, i have to tell you that you are perfectly right. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
 |
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 14:18:16
|
Anna as you are aware pictures are open to all types of interpretations and its refreshing to see how they often challenge stereotypes.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 23:23:50
|
Exactly! And isn't that just a great thing...
I am wondering though, if the painters of those days had real models or that they painted from their imagination helped by available depictions (like in the case of the 'African warrior' - did the painter ever see real life elephants?). This link might even be better than the exhibition in the National Gallery itself. I keep looking at the details.
Thanks again, i hope others have enjoyed it as much as i have. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
|
|
anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2006 : 10:08:44
|
| Very impressive too, but no - i was referring to Rubens' painting 'A Roman Triumph', shown in the National Gallery link. Read the comments with the picture about the 'white men calmly leading their sheep' and the 'black man with a gleam of excited aggression in his eye'. I saw the excitement but not the aggression, to tell you the truth. But look at the elephants! |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2006 : 12:25:54
|
I see your point Anna because I haven't seen elephants looking like those in that picture. However many elephant species that were around then don't exist anymore but I'm sure there is some degree of artistic licence in there some where.
Peace
Sister Omega. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2006 : 18:32:48
|
Well, some of these elephants almost look like mammoths! But then, Rubens was known for exaggerating - he liked to paint very 'full' women, if fact even nowadays women who are not exactly skinny (to put it mildly) are often called 'Rubensvrouwen' here in Holland.
Which by the way, brings us back to another topic 'how to behave in a muslim country': when does a woman have 'a not so nice body' that should be covered up from head to toe? There is no accounting for taste!
Peace to you too and see your writings on other topics! Such a pity that nobody else reacted to this one, because i feel that maybe i let you down by only speaking of the beauty of the paintings and not about the 'phenomenon' of black people depicted in Western European paintings. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
