Seascape by Roy Lichtenstein
Vicki Cunningham
On Thursday, October 8, at 2:00 p.m. Carolyn Rivers, a docent with The University of Arizona Museum of Art, will be presenting “Artists Who Loved the Land” at SaddleBrooke’s HOA 2 East Ballroom at MountainView clubhouse. This is a free presentation to SaddleBrooke residents as well as the public, so bring your friends.
Originally landscapes were used strictly as backgrounds for portraits, religious scenes, etc. The Dutch started painting beautiful landscapes of their homeland in the 1600s, and later in the 1800s the French were painting “in plein aire.” This presentation is a look at various landscapes from Realism to Abstract Expressionism and artists who conveyed their vision of the outdoor world. It includes paintings by famous artists such as Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, the founder of the Barbizon School in France. These artists were among the first to actually paint outdoors and were greatly admired by the Impressionists. They believed that “nature is our subject.”
American regional painters N. C. Wyeth and his son, Andrew Wyeth, are included as well as Thomas Hart Benton who painted murals throughout the Midwest for the WPA during the Depression. Edward Hopper’s painting “The City” is featured in the Museum’s collection and is one of his paintings that depict lonely, isolated people in the big city.
Famous early abstract artist Arthur Dove, considered America’s first abstract artist, and John Marin who painted New York landscapes in watercolor as well as later abstract artists Richard Diebenkorn and local Tucson artist Bruce McGrew will be discussed. One of the paintings, the Roy Lichtenstein seascape, is a small screen print/collage (5.12 x 7.88 inches) that through its clever composition gives the impression of a much larger piece. It was created by Lichtenstein in 1964-65. Born and raised in New York City, Lichtenstein (1923-1997) was a founder and foremost practitioner of the pop art movement. He worked as a painter, sculptor and printmaker in a style frequently derived from comic strips, using images and techniques taken from popular culture in contemporary American life.
We look forward to seeing you on October 8 at 2:00 p.m. There will be a microphone for our speaker, a seat, coffee and water for you! UAMA has a very large art collection, over 6000 pieces of art dating from the 14th century to the present and features art work by many great artists.