22 May 03
1 edit
Originally posted by ebrillaIt is certainly impressive from a technical standpoint, but that's about all it has to recommend it. It lacks any of the dynamism and emotional impact of someone like Francisco Goya, who was a contemporary of Zoffany's. I'll take Goya's The Third of May, 1808, or Saturn Devouring His Children over Zoffany's dreary paintings any day.
I was looking at art.
The Tribuna.by Zoffany
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/goya/may_3rd.jpg.html
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/goya/saturn.jpg.html
22 May 03
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettEach to thier own tastes, i do not like either painting. That is not a comment on thier artistic value but on my own personal taste (for what little that is worth), i prefer the Zoffany's painting talked about earlier.
It is certainly impressive from a technical standpoint, but that's about all it has to recommend it. It lacks any of the dynamism and emotional impact of someone like Francisco Goya, who was a contemporary of Zoffany's. I'll take Goya' ...[text shortened]... g.html
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/goya/saturn.jpg.html
-trekkie
22 May 03
Originally posted by trekkieI understand that the subject is, to some degree, a subjective thing. You are free to like whatever it is you like. What I am curious to know is what is it about the Zoffany painting that attracts you to it? Is it the technical aspects, or the amount of detail he has shown? Zoffany has certainly exhibited a large degree of technical skill, but I am reminded of the old saying of someone who can't see the forest for the trees. Each individual part of the painting has been lavished with extraordinary detail, but the painting as a whole lacks any vitality. It seems dreary and dated.
Each to thier own tastes, i do not like either painting. That is not a comment on thier artistic value but on my own personal taste (for what little that is worth), i prefer the Zoffany's painting talked about earlier.
-trekkie
Goya's paintings, on the other hand, are revolutionary accomplishments when taken into the context of that era. They seem years ahead of their time, and prefigure later developments in modern art. The Saturn painting seems as though it could easily have been painted in the twentieth century. To my mind, Goya has transcended his age and has remained relevant to this day, whereas Zoffany has become a mere sidenote in art history.