PICTURE POST

My theme of 'rowing' continues with another painting by Henry Scott Tuke.

Henry Scott Tuke, "Ruby, gold and malachite," 1902

Henry Scott Tuke was a prominent 19th century English painter, who you can read more about at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Scott_Tuke

I have, to date, hesitated to bring you any of his work, as you may think some of it distasteful, or even indecent.

Tuke was best known for his depictions of nude boys and young men and I came across the following painting when I was searching for rowers.

When he lived in Falmouth, Tuke bought a fishing boat for £40 pounds and converted it into a floating studio and living quarters, where he could indulge his passion for painting boys in privacy.

I don't know about you, but I find his paintings of nude youngsters rather unsettling and they make me feel like a voyeur. But are they indecent? Probably not.

But they are posed and exploitative - not a natural representation of innocence.

Tell me what you think and, depending on your reaction, I may post another of Tuke's paintings here tomorrow - or not.

I am coming towards the end of my series of paintings of rowers but, before I go, I thought I would post this water-colour by the contemporary artist Tom Whitford.

It is no Renoir, but I find it pleasing and would certainly have it on my wall in the right setting.

I can't afford an original Renoir!

Rowers

To read about the artist and see more of his work, go to:

http://tomwhitfordart.com/about.cfm

Here is another Renoir, full of colour and people (I counted 14).

It depicts a group of Renoir's friends relaxing on a balcony at the Maison Fournaise along the Seine river in Chatou, France.

Le déjeuner des canotiers 1881

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

To identify the people portrayed, go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/arts/20060409_CLOSE_GRAPHIC.html?_r=2

Click on "Take a closer look" (to the left of the painting), then roll over the numbers to reveal the detailed information.

Lunch at the Resturant Fournaise (The Rowers' Lunch)
Pierre Auguste Renoir

Thomas Eakins (1844 – 1916) was an American realist painter, photographer, sculptor, and fine arts educator. He is widely acknowledged to be one of the most important artists in American art history

Max Schmitt in a Single Scull (also known as Champion Single Sculls) celebrates Eakins' childhood friend Max Schmitt's victory in a single scull competition on the Schuylkill River in the USA on October 5, 1870.

"This painting, the first of 24 rowing paintings that Eakins completed over the course of four years, was the first time rowing was the focus of serious art.

A number of drawings for various parts of this composition exist. Here is one of them:

"Anders Leonard Zorn (1860 - 1920) was one of Sweden’s foremost artists who obtained international success as a painter, sculptor and printmaker.

Zorn painted portraits, scenes depicting rustic life and customs. He is also famous for his nude paintings and realistic depictions of water."

This study continues my theme of rowers, although I suspect that the model was posed - and never lifted an oar in her life.

In Werner's Rowing Boat

I am not sure whether you will all like this painting and some may consider it too 'photographic'.

The artist was not named in my source, but you can discern a signature in the bottom right-hand corner.

Continuing my theme of 'Rowers'

OARSMEN AT CHATOU

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

It is difficult to find paintings of women rowers, although there are many photographs.

However I have come across this work by a contemporary woman artist, Robin Hextrum.

"Self Portrait" 3x5 feet oil on canvas
Robin Hextrum

The artist writes: "This painting, like others I have done of rowers shows the female athlete focused and absorbed in her sport. It was an interesting task to create a self portrait because it forced me to observe the muscular and physicality of my own body from an unbiased perspective. The large scale of the work gives the figure more authority and command."

Despite the masculine first name, Robin Hextrum is a woman.

Visit her blog at: http://modernfemaleathlete.blogspot.com/