What a delightful short informative talk about a painting. Easily accessible and very informative - as she says -- you can take what you want out of this painting - and so many more in the collection. Thank you
This young lady has more class than I. That cleaner would have tested my four letter vocabulary to the full. Ignoring the back ground noise this was fascinating. Very well done.
We just saw a Jan van Kessel insect painting at the San Francisco Legion of Honor. I liked it so well that I photographed it. I did not know (until this video) that he was known for this sort of painting.
I enjoyed this video very much, really interesting, thank you Clara! Speaking clearly and not too fast so I could understand easyly even if I'm not a native speaker.
A very nice presentation. Thank you. However the discovery of the process of metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly is credited to Maria Sybilla Merian, born in 1647. Her first book on caterpillars was published in 1679 and this work by Van Kessel is dated 1654 so unless he knew about caterpillars and butterflies ahead of Merian I wouldn't read the symbolism of metamorphosis into it.
I enjoyed your presentation. 🙂. Love the detailed insect images. I would note that the “caterpillar” on the branch appears to be a sawfly larva which is in the Order Hymenoptera. I loved your description of 3 ways to look at such a painting. I liked his use of shadows which added to the insects “aliveness.” I tend to look at such paintings from just a pragmatic approach, so I greatly appreciate the perspective of interpreting the art beyond the accuracy of the insect illustrations. Thanks!
Blue butterflies: the blue is not a pigment but is 'structural', caused by the fine ridges in the wing. These blue wings were used in jewelery and do not fade...they can't. Everlasting colour! Eternal blue. I think that fits the plan !
It's interesting that it turns out that all the elements aren't random little nature studies, but that some hold significance jointly, like the central moth and the stretching caterpillar are both stages of the same creation. Pleasant discussion of art and nature.
Great, very informative and well described. Liked the round up bits, to remind us too. (Found background gallery image a little distracting) Rita Garner, Shoreham by Sea
Why is the bug in between the white butterfly and the butterfly on the right. Is this a metamophosis depicted in paint? With the forget me not right underneath.
Great talk! But why on earth are there sound effects when changing views of the paintings?? It is unnecessary and annoying, and detracts from the presentation.
