The Christmas Episode

I wasn’t sure I wanted to celebrate Christmas after this dumpster fire of a year. But we’re starting to have some good news, so I’ve become cautiously optimistic. 

But did I feel optimistic enough to do a holiday episode? Would anyone want to hear one? I put the question to you in Instagram (@alonglookslowart) and the answer was a resounding yes! You guys are the best! So I pulled together three past episodes on works by Jan van Eyck, Giorgione and Gilbert Stuart that reflect the season and the idea of hope and miracles. Follow these links to their page on the Gallery’s site. On each Gallery page, click on the image and you’ll be able to zoom in and pan around.

So please join me for this extended Christmas episode of “A Long Look!”

BTW, the show will go back into hibernation after this. I’ve got some exciting changes brewing, which I’ll let you know about here and on Instagram!

SHOW NOTES (TRANSCRIPT)

“A Long Look” theme is “Ascension” by Ron Gelinas youtu.be/jGEdNSNkZoo

The Annunciation
Theme is “Greensleeves” performed by Paul Arden Taylor and Carol Holt

Gallery entry
Jan van Eyck (Netherlandish, c. 1390 – 1441 ), The Annunciation, c. 1434/1436, oil on canvas transferred from panel, Andrew W. Mellon Collection
https://www.nga.gov/Collection/art-object-page.46.html

Adoration of the Shepherds
Theme is “Almain I,” composed by John Bull, performed by Mac Playback Harp. Courtesy of musopen.org

Gallery entry
Giorgione (Venetian, 1477/1478 – 1510), The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1505/1510, oil on panel, Samuel H. Kress Collection 1939.1.289
https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.432.html

Giorgione information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgione

The Skater (Portrait of William Grant)

Theme is “6 String Quartets – Quartet no. 1” composed by Charles Wesley, performed by Steve’s Bedroom Band.  Courtesy of musopen.org 

Gallery entry 
Gilbert Stuart, The Skater (Portrait of William Grant), American, 1755 – 1828, 1782, oil on canvas, Andrew W. Mellon Collection
https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.39729.html

George Washington (The Athenaeum Portrait) (National Portrait Gallery)

Serpentine Greeting/Mohawk (YouTube video)

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Giorgione

Painting by Giorgione showing shepherds and the Holy Family worshiping Jesus after the Nativity.
Giorgione (Venetian, 1477/1478 – 1510), The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1505/1510, oil on panel, Samuel H. Kress Collection 1939.1.289

The Gallery calls Giorgione “one of the most mysterious artists in the history of art.” We’ll talk about his innovative landscape style and where he got the idea for this gorgeous and unusual depiction of the Nativity.

We’ll also find out the meaning of rocks and just what the heck is up with those floating baby heads at the top of the cave!

SHOW NOTES

“A Long Look” theme is Ascension by Ron Gelinas

Episode theme is Almain I (For Bassoon and Harp – Höger-Rønnes) composed by John Bull, performed by Mac Playback Harp. Courtesy of musopen.org.

The Adoration of the Shepherds information
https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.432.html

In Depth: Madonna and Child by Gretchen Hirschauer, Associate Curator, Italian and Spanish Paintings

Cherub information
Hopler, Whitney. The Differences Between Cherubs, Cupids, and Other Angels in Art. ThoughtCo, Jun. 22, 2018, thoughtco.com/cherubs-and-cupids-angels-of-love-124005.

Giorgione information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgione

Slow Art Day

RECOMMENDED READING

Inventing the Renaissance Putto by Charles Dempsey