Power and Patronage in the Baroque

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7/16

Today we had some nice lectures. Nicolas Friend (who I found out today has a son named Rupert Friend, who is dating Keira Knightley or something, yikes) talked about the power of props and poses in portrait paintings. Alliteration, woo!

One painting that sticks in my mind is of 4 year old Master Crewe dressed as Holbien's Henry VIII! Even though the child is so little, he looks powerful because of the pose. We had another lecture called the Power of Mountains, but it was pretty boring. The man kept talking in circles, and ended up talking for an extra 30 minutes over his time. We were all upset, but didn't say anything. Maybe we should & be rude, so whenever someone goes a great deal over their time, we should leave. OR if they're really boring, we should boo or leave. Maybe it would help them learn to speak better. I don't really think we should do this...but sometimes I feel as if no one tells people if they're boring, or gives them suggestions. Maybe they do and they don't change, but 30 extra minutes of boring was a bit much!

I'll remember that for when I'm a professor. Don't go over time, don't be boring, and give out slide lists!! They make class so much easier to follow. After that we had our special class. Mine is now Power and Patronage in the Baroque. My professor is amazing. He is funny and very smart. He's not afraid to state what is controversial, either. Caravaggio="Gentle gay porn." He said to a detail of that painting, "Do you think that's where Boy George got his look?" He has a way of speaking that captures you, he's enthusiastic, but doesn't act so without a good reason. I'm looking forward to the other four classes. Also, when I'm a professor I want to be technologically capable (which he is not, alas).

Then, Katie (who has the boring British Landscape prof.) Andy, and I went punting. We did a tour from behind the colleges (for 10 pounds, discounted) and it was beautiful. The guide didn't really say much, but we asked him a lot of questions. Next, maybe we'll self-hire one for fun and have a picnic on the grass.

The lecture I'm at now (it's optional and supposed to be about American Art) is really boring. He just keeps quoting people and throwing out big words. I wonder if I should walk out on him like a few people already have? Nah.

7/17 Today...was so long. Great lectures, but my brain is now fried. I'm so excited by these new views on art history. I've never been exposed to this level, this deepness of thinking, and honestly, it scares me. I wonder if I will be so great one day...

Tomorrow is another busy day and I'm afraid that I might not be able to get a much needed nap.

7/18 I went to King's College Chapel today with my class. It was breathtaking. Gothic, soaring ceilings with decorative fans on the vaults, and an amazing baroque Rubens, Adoration of the Magi, as the altarpiece. It was amazing; Dr. Wright said that he doubted if another painting even could work in place of the Rubens. the mannerist stained glass and the architecture is just so amazing, most paintings would fail in its place. He says that architecture is the place to start when learning about art history, and I can see why he thinks so. He also says that Rome is the place to go to study art history...so we'll see. Architecture is a vehicle for painting and sculpture, a way for total artwork or Gesamtkunstwerk. We also talked more about Rembrandt and Rubens. One woman said Rubens made her question her own sexuality because of how sensual they are, and I stopped feeling bad about my cellulite when I first saw Ruben's nudes. Rembrandt gives us psychological penetration, but Dr. Wright believes that he may have done so many self portraits as an advertising campaign, not as self-obsession. So perhaps they're just real life and have nothing to do with psychoanalysis. Or maybe they do both. I had Dr. Wright 3 times today, since he spoke at the plenary lecture. I am sad that I won't have him any longer, but I do know that I will be writing about Caravaggio for my essay. Dr. Wright cuts the bullshit, and I love that. He talks about what isn't in the books, which makes his talks so interesting. And since he's written so many, he knows exactly what goes in and what doesn't. I'm honored to have been in his class, and been in this program.

Today marks the half way point through the program, and we have a sit down dinner tonight at 6:30. After that, I plan on doing more research for my essay, and hopefully starting on it. Tomorrow is the National Gallery, and then a Jazz concert, so it will be another super busy day. I'm excited though!