Gustave Moreau, Jupiter and Semele, 1894-95, oil on canvas, 213 x 118 cm (Musée National Gustave-Moreau, Paris). Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Thank you for reviewing this masterpiece by Moreau! I have visited the museum several times and each time I have been mesmerized by this incredible and magical painting! In person one sees so much more that is not visible in photos. And the colors shine jewel like and so thickly painted it almost looks like impasto. I can't wait to visit the Gustave Moreau again! Cheers keep up the excellent reviews! Maybe you can review Odilon Redon in the future too : )
In 1969 , I was friends in Texas with his great, great grandson Randy Moreau....way ahead of his time....told me the story of how the family came to America.... during the revolution in France, they had to flee because of connections with Royalty..they almost, literally lost their heads.
Modern steel, machinery, electricity had just been discovered and invented. This Jupiter is like an inkling of the things that were to come from these old, long hidden powers now seen for the first time.
Man, another day, another Smarthistory playlist bites the dust! I didn't even realize this was the last video here yesterday... Very much looking forward to seeing what's next. ❤ I agree that this is "extraordinarily detailed [and] overwrought in the extreme." I'd be a melancholy figure in all this chaos too, lol.
I find the detail inspiring. We are taught to simplify and a paintings is expected to have one vibrant impact, but this rewards a viewer if they take a second ,or twentieth closer look. The bright colors on a sullen subject enrich the depth is an odd emotional manor. It demands a good mulling.
Thank you for showing us an example of symbolism in art and the great explanation! Nevertheless there are much better example (Franz von Stuck: Die Sünde, Wilhelm Bernatzik: Eingang zum Paradies). The painting of Moreau is too much! Born in Vienna I understand the fascination of the time in mythology, and I know that 1904 S. Freud will publish the Traumdeutung, C.G.Jung will discover the collective subconscious. But good symbolism is more than an overabundance of mythological imagery! It is a symbol that refers to the myth, that doesn't drag the mythos in the harsh day light but gives a glimpse of it. This is not a criticism of the excellent video, but a criticism of this work of art - I'm looking forward to your next video!
This is so devoid of the mystery and fascination seen in Indian or Cambodian art...of the visual economy and clear symbolism of Greco-Roman mythology that the subject is drawn from. The excessive ornamentation fails to intrigue. It's beyond neurotic. Everything about it is dark, repulsive and ignoble...a fever dream of laudanum and psychosis.
That's a rather harsh assessment. I agree that it is not a restful or stable artwork, but it certainly has its place, even if it is not to your taste or to that of the modernist and postmodernist art establishment.
@@stanleygagner The cover art of a 60's acid rock album was my 1st inclination as to where this monstrosity would not be out of place. TY for sharing your thoughts. 😃
