Went to the Pasadena Museum of California Art today (literally across the street from The Maryland..). Two shows there seemed like they might be interesting-- The main one, 'Franz A. Bischoff Gardens and Grandeur' was fantastic (actually both were..) -- got me thinking-- Bischoff (1964-1929) immigrated to Pasadena from Austria around 1900. He is known --it seems-- for his earlier work--- rose laden painted porcelain vases--- Very 'Grandma'--- I'm sure popular in their time-- I went into the show with judgement about that-- His later work-- Large oil paintings of --again-- roses.. was absolutely beautiful---
He managed to pull off them off-- transcending what might have been stupid overly sweet paintings into something interesting-- I thought to myself, I can't think of one painter today that can do this-- there is a gutsy honest direct quality-- immediate too-- they are not just 'pretty'-- although they were-- This is something I'd like to have in my work. I'm adding Bischoff to my list of artists that gets/got a bad rap-- Sargent, Leroy Neiman, Norman Rockwell, Georgia O'Keefe-- plus a whole lot of illustrators-- Solid good painting-- only to be dismissed by the general opinion of what is good--
What was the second show you liked, Tom, the Westways covers show?
ReplyDeleteYes! Westways covers--- loved it--
ReplyDeleteWell I sometimes feel this way. Is it that an artists work gets over exposed like a pop song. Its good but it gets lost in so much exposure maybe. Love me some Georga Okeef and totally get Rockwell - I think with more elegance and grace than is depicted in the work. Hmmm. I'll have to check this guys Roses out for myself. Thanks Tom.
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