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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Read the first page in the library. I still intend to go finish it there or buy it.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I struggled to decide whether this should be 3 or 4 stars, but given that I didn't enjoy reading a vast chunk I've knocked it down to 3. It was an interesting style of writing, and what drew me in particular to this book (aside from Baudelaire being recommended to me on several occasions at uni), was that it was part of a series 'dedicated to those writings that changed the way people thought about the world' or something... To be honest, I probably could do with re-reading the beginning, or reading it solidly over a few days rather than sporadically over a few months, as I really can't remember much from the first part. some of it clearly struck a chord with me, as I've underlined and highlighted several passages, but the swathes of praise for Delacroix sort of fell on deaf ears, as I'm not that familiar with his work (and to be fair, nothing in the passages made me think 'oh I should go look him up'). The final passage on photography and how it should not be considered art, and should remain low-brow was fairly amusing to me, not least because it was referred to as mechanical; as are certain types of printmaking, but he lauds that earlier in the book.
baudelaire's poetry intimidates me in a way not most poets do but i was pleasantly surprised to see this short essay collection to be easy to follow and clear on its arguments. definitely a recommendable introduction to basics aesthetics, particularly the first titular essay.
content read:
1. "the painter of modern life"
3. " from the salon of 1859"
3.1. "the modern artist"
3.2. "the modern public and photography"
i skipped the second essay, "the life and work of eugene delacroix" since my knowledge of french art history is non-existent.
content read:
1. "the painter of modern life"
3. " from the salon of 1859"
3.1. "the modern artist"
3.2. "the modern public and photography"
i skipped the second essay, "the life and work of eugene delacroix" since my knowledge of french art history is non-existent.
Baudelaire was way ahead of his time and his prose also reflects he's poet.
challenging
slow-paced
can't believe i'm a Charles Baudelaire apologist
"The Painter of Modern Life" is the single most beautiful essay I have ever read. Baudelaire's account of art is lyrically divine -- so much so that you completely forget you are reading:
"When, as he wakes up, M. G. opens his eyes and sees the beating vibrantly at his window-panes, he says to himself with remorse and regret: ‘What an imperative command! What a fanfare of light! Light everywhere for several hours past! Light I have lost in sleep! and endless numbers of things bathed in light that I could have seen and have failed to!’ And off he goes! And he watches the flow of life move by, majestic and dazzling. He admires the eternal beauty and the
astonishing harmony of life in the capital cities, a harmony so providentially maintained in the tumult of human liberty."
"When, as he wakes up, M. G. opens his eyes and sees the beating vibrantly at his window-panes, he says to himself with remorse and regret: ‘What an imperative command! What a fanfare of light! Light everywhere for several hours past! Light I have lost in sleep! and endless numbers of things bathed in light that I could have seen and have failed to!’ And off he goes! And he watches the flow of life move by, majestic and dazzling. He admires the eternal beauty and the
astonishing harmony of life in the capital cities, a harmony so providentially maintained in the tumult of human liberty."