DSB inspired "Supposed great works of art" thread

[Lord Kangana]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Erm, edit: apparantly I saw it in the Reina Sofia, my guidebook has just reminded me (for all you pedants)

[Prufrock]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Anythign written by Thomas Hardy. I have read the right hand half of Mayor of Casterbridge for GCSE and lost nothing by it.

[Prufrock]

And all post Syd Barret Pink FLoyd. Do.not.get.it.

[William the White]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Erm, edit: apparantly I saw it in the Reina Sofia, my guidebook has just reminded me (for all you pedants)

Probably the most important painting of the 20th century, enduringly powerful in its scream of agony about the use of bombing civilians in war...

It commemorates the fascist bombing of the historic capital of the Basque people by hitler's condor Legion, then in alliance with Franco. the first bombing in Europe of a town without military significance - ie bombing simply as a terror weapon...

Not all the detail works in my view, but the mother gazing up at the sky in agony, holding the dead body of the child, and the horse screaming, are passionate and hugely moving.

I've seen it four times. The first made me cry.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Erm, edit: apparantly I saw it in the Reina Sofia, my guidebook has just reminded me (for all you pedants)

It's all explained in a 3-D documentary here - or not...

[Little Green Man]

Henry Moore - not one piece in particular but his sculpture in general leaves me completely cold. That said, I love stuff by the likes of Degas, Giacometti, Paolozzi and Gormley. Moore's sheep sketches, on the other hand, are quite superb.

[Lord Kangana]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Erm, edit: apparantly I saw it in the Reina Sofia, my guidebook has just reminded me (for all you pedants)

It's all explained in a 3-D documentary here - or not...

Oh don't get me wrong guys, I studied the Spanish civil war at A and degree level, and it fascinates me. As a consequence, I was quite looking forward to seeing it up close and personal. But sometimes 'great' works of art just dissapoint.

The Salvadore Dali in the next room, now that blew me away, cos I always thought he was overrated.

[Dr Hotdog]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Erm, edit: apparantly I saw it in the Reina Sofia, my guidebook has just reminded me (for all you pedants)

Probably the most important painting of the 20th century, enduringly powerful in its scream of agony about the use of bombing civilians in war...

It commemorates the fascist bombing of the historic capital of the Basque people by hitler's condor Legion, then in alliance with Franco. the first bombing in Europe of a town without military significance - ie bombing simply as a terror weapon...

Not all the detail works in my view, but the mother gazing up at the sky in agony, holding the dead body of the child, and the horse screaming, are passionate and hugely moving.

I've seen it four times. The first made me cry.

Great reply.

You get out of art what you put in.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

"The Night Watch" is a bit underwhelming, it must be said. Big though.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Doff of the cap to DSB, cos I've been dying to get this off my chest:

Guernica.

Really sorry folks, I've been to see it twice....I just don't get it. Its really big and stuff, and a bit abstract, but theres about 1001 more fascinating paintings in the Prado.

(feel free to get all forms of art off your chest, music included)

Erm, edit: apparantly I saw it in the Reina Sofia, my guidebook has just reminded me (for all you pedants)

Probably the most important painting of the 20th century, enduringly powerful in its scream of agony about the use of bombing civilians in war...

It commemorates the fascist bombing of the historic capital of the Basque people by hitler's condor Legion, then in alliance with Franco. the first bombing in Europe of a town without military significance - ie bombing simply as a terror weapon...

Not all the detail works in my view, but the mother gazing up at the sky in agony, holding the dead body of the child, and the horse screaming, are passionate and hugely moving.

I've seen it four times. The first made me cry.

Great reply.

You get out of art what you put in.

I've been to Guernica and travelled all around the Basque region. Beautiful area.

[bobo the clown]

I suppose the Tracey Emmin & Damien Hirst type stuff goes without saying.

I don't get Gustav Klimt ... seen it in Vienna & again this year in Blurredville & just can't get there.

Frankly the fuss about the Mona Lisa is more about it's technical process than its art. It's actually not much kop at all.

Henry Moore ... I quite agree, bllx, utter bllx.

The Angel of the North ???? A misshapen, angular lump of rust. (the men in the sea at Formby, yes ... excellent, so it's not Gormley per se).

... and Prufrock ... I see your Hardy and raise you Jane Austen. All 5 (yep, read it & digest 5 ... that's F ... I ... V ... E) of her novels.

... & don't even get me started on Shakespeare's Comedies. Laugh ... I thought I'd never start. OK, better than Lenny Henry & Patrick Keilty, but it's close)

[Prufrock]

I suppose the Tracey Emmin & Damien Hirst type stuff goes without saying.

I don't get Gustav Klimt ... seen it in Vienna & again this year in Blurredville & just can't get there.

Frankly the fuss about the Mona Lisa is more about it's technical process than its art. It's actually not much kop at all.

Henry Moore ... I quite agree, bllx, utter bllx.

The Angel of the North ???? A misshapen, angular lump of rust. (the men in the sea at Formby, yes ... excellent, so it's not Gormley per se).

... and Prufrock ... I see your Hardy and raise you Jane Austen. All 5 (yep, read it & digest 5 ... that's F ... I ... V ... E) of her novels.

... & don't even get me started on Shakespeare's Comedies. Laugh ... I thought I'd never start. OK, better than Lenny Henry & Patrick Keilty, but it's close)

I pity you, she and the bronte sisters go in my 'not even going there' section. I read half of pride and prejudice and i am so proud of myself for that.

Agree completely with Shakespeare's comedies. The man was a great writer, doesnt mean everythign he wrote was great though, plus, he is/was no Kit Marlowe. Genius of a man.

[TANGODANCER]

For those unfamiliar, this is "Guernica" and an indication of just how big it is.

[Worthy4England]

I wouldn't let most "artists" decorate my house. To me, Guernica is no better than Banksey type graffiti.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

You get out of art what you put in.

Not necessarily, chum. Some have put great effort into producing it and achieved nothing; some have put similar effort into trying to appreciate it yet found nothing to appreciate. The thread idea came from William the White criticising (rightly, in my opinion) La Dolce Vita, which some will insist to the point of death is the finest ever use of celluloid.

[TANGODANCER]

Must be my age, but I totally diagree about Austen,The Brontes' Thomas Hardy. They were written long ago and in the style of the priod and should be seen as such. Emin, Hirst and co and the pile of Housebricks types, Liverpool babanas etc, should not be used in the same sentence as art. As long as there are people about who'll buy this tripe they'll survive and flourish.

Agree about Henry Moore and the Angel of Rust. The world is full of great art and I suppose it's all about how you see it. As much about great artists as great art. I love Sir William Russel Flint watercolours and have at least half a dozen. Unfortunately, they're all prints.

[Worthy4England]

Must be my age, but I totally diagree about Austen,The Brontes' Thomas Hardy. They were written long ago and in the style of the priod and should be seen as such. Emin, Hirst and co and the pile of Housebricks types, Liverpool babanas etc, should not be used in the same sentence as art. As long as there are people about who'll buy this tripe they'll survive and flourish.

Agree about Henry Moore and the Angel of Rust. The world is full of great art and I suppose it's all about how you see it. As much about great artists as great art. I love Sir William Russel Flint watercolours and have at least half a dozen. Unfortunately, they're all prints.

Interesting viewpoint TD. I guess that the Mayor of Casterbridge, Great Expectations, Henry IV Part II etc. all books I had to study at English, held little relevance to me and I hated every minute of them. Not that I didn't appreciate their historical significance, but their association with today's world was, for me, on a par with the 5 years I did studying Latin. On the other side of the coin, Emin, Hirst et. al. I suspect must once have been the recipients of a wasted Arts Council grant.

Strangely though - the John of Gaunt "This England" bit is right up my street - but only out of context with the play.

[Montreal Wanderer]

"The Night Watch" is a bit underwhelming, it must be said. Big though.

Oddly enough the painting got so dirty over the centuries it became called the Night Watch, but when it was cleaned it was discovered it actually depicts a day scene and is called the Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch. It was done as a commission for Cocq I think and hung in the smoky barracks. It is certainly big!

[Prufrock]

Must be my age, but I totally diagree about Austen,The Brontes' Thomas Hardy. They were written long ago and in the style of the priod and should be seen as such. Emin, Hirst and co and the pile of Housebricks types, Liverpool babanas etc, should not be used in the same sentence as art. As long as there are people about who'll buy this tripe they'll survive and flourish.

Agree about Henry Moore and the Angel of Rust. The world is full of great art and I suppose it's all about how you see it. As much about great artists as great art. I love Sir William Russel Flint watercolours and have at least half a dozen. Unfortunately, they're all prints.

Interesting viewpoint TD. I guess that the Mayor of Casterbridge, Great Expectations, Henry IV Part II etc. all books I had to study at English, held little relevance to me and I hated every minute of them. Not that I didn't appreciate their historical significance, but their association with today's world was, for me, on a par with the 5 years I did studying Latin. On the other side of the coin, Emin, Hirst et. al. I suspect must once have been the recipients of a wasted Arts Council grant.

Strangely though - the John of Gaunt "This England" bit is right up my street - but only out of context with the play.

Interesting viewpoint Worthy, and interesting viewpoint TD. I spose there is a difference between enjoying something, and appreciating it. However i hated Mayor of Casterbridge, not for the content, but the unrelentless pace, or lack thereof. Austen and the Bronte's are just not my thing. Its not because its old i dont like it, I am after all a classicist. For me though, the style and everlasting themes of works like the Aeneid, anything Plato has ever written, Lucretius etc are far more appealing than reading a man dexcribe a wardrobe for 7 pages. What im basically saying is exactly what Worthy did, whilst sticking up for classics .

[TANGODANCER]

I think, Worthy, that visiting Haworth and the Parsonage, school and Museum did a lot to bring home to me the very atmosphere that prevailed in the lives of the tragic Bronte sisters. The Churchyard there is filled with the graves of people who died at very young ages, mainly from tubercolosis. The eldest of the sisters- and the longest living- was only thirty-nine when she passed away.

It needs to be remembered that a lot of these great authors lived very simple lives and wrote about the same using their own periods and locations for plots. I try to keep this in mind when reading them. Young people dismissing them as boring rubbish might gain much from a little historical research about what it was really like in those days. Just my view.