“They don’t seem to want to work in the winter, and when it rains too much, their silk becomes viscous and cannot be used” that sounds a lot like me! But seriously, these spiders produced a stunning work of art. Hopefully it will travel from the American Museum of Natural History (in NY) to the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (in DC).
A detail of the textile, with its traditional Malagasy motifs. (Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times)
of the Hockney-Falco theory … continuing on my last post about David Hockney’s book Secret Knowledge which argues that the Old Masters used optical aides to create their masterpieces, and even possibly, were the inventors of photography.
My obsessive research on the subject has led me to this headline: “Caravaggio used ‘photography’ to create dramatic masterpieces” .
In the article by Nick Squires, Florence-based art historian Roberta Lapucci claims that Caravaggio used a light sensitive “fixer“ on his canvases which was made from crushed fireflies – which is pretty cool – and then outlined the images with white lead and mercury for greater clarity.
Also note that Lapucci goes on to attribute Caravaggio’s notorious temper on his use of mercury, for “prolonged exposure to the chemical can affect the central nervous system”.
If Caravaggio gets to claim mercury, then I’m claiming Kool-Aid for my temporary insanity. I am a believer!
Caravaggio (Italian 1571-1610). Bacchus, 1595. Oil on canvas, 37 x 33 inches. Uffizi, Florence Italy.
My talented and very intelligent boss changed my life on Saturday by bringing in the new expanded version of David Hockney’s book Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters. While we agreed the title is lame, we spent hours researching (which I’ll share with you so click on all the links in this post) art-optics and I will never look at art in museums the same again. That shouldn’t scare anyone though, it’s absolutely fascinating and will show you a new way of seeing. It’s also crazy that not one art historian or critic discovered this, it could have only taken a painter to.
Hockney argues in the book that the Old Masters, beginning in the 1400′s, used optical instruments or aides such as lenses, mirrors, the camera obscura, and the camera lucida to produce their strikingly realistic effects. The book obviously caused a huge debate about art and science, which should be expected if you radically challenge the romantic views of how Western art was established, but there is no doubt in my mind after reviewing this book that he is absolutely correct. And it’s not disappointing, but inspiring. Hockney never claims that these geniuses are any less genius, you will actually respect them more learning of their innovations, and even possibly, their invention of photography.
The Secret Knowledge (page 76)
Here’s a trailer for his BBC special (the book is way better). The clips are kind of silly and a little misleading but still fun to watch.
If Edward Tufte says it’s his favorite art history book, then I won’t be shy about claiming it’s mine too. Buy the new expanded version, I did – it will change your life and how you look at art.
