So often in life small details can make a large difference to what is said, or seen. The gig I went to last night was great! But it was not quite what I had expected. The place in which it took place was a performance venue of which I had never previously heard …. the … Read more
I allowed myself to get quite annoyed when I visited Rome last week, when I discovered that Renato Guttuso’s Crocifissione was on loan to an exhibition in the USA.* Somewhat xenophobic ideas about “Americans coming here and pinching our art!” came to mind. Then it occurred to me that one of the most important works … Read more
I suppose that a good point from which to start is to ask whether the effort expended is proportionate to the result achieved. When I was a graduate student in Canada there was an often repeated joke which went as follows. “What is the definition of a sociologist?” The answer was, “Somebody who needs to … Read more
It is probably the case quite often that a real interest is to be found in tracing the way in which a work of art develops. This is not open to us very often, but it can be very rewarding when the opportunity presents itself. As long-term readers of this blog will know, I have … Read more
We are planning a visit to Rome next month, and planning is well under way. A good part of this afternoon was spent on line, researching public transport and making bookings in galleries and other places we particularly want to visit. I want to do some research in preparation for a lecture to which I’m … Read more
I don’t expect to post again until the 9th. any the soonest. My wife and I will be heading to London for one of our intermittent raids on the capital. Perhaps the primary reason for my visit is to spend time in the Library of the Estorick Collection. This is an interesting institution, devoted to … Read more
Now that life is getting back to normal I have been able to start work on a talk I am scheduled to give next month. It is becoming a very engaging process. In case you are not familiar with modern art in Italy, Guttuso (1912-1987) was a leading figure in the development of Italian modern … Read more
In the Italian language conversation class I’ve been following the tutor and I have been developing an interest in the work of the Italian modernist Renato Guttuso. I’ve admired his work for some time but through her I’ve been led to a far more full appreciation of it. In our last session, this morning, between … Read more
For some time now I’ve been attempting to learn Italian, by one means or another. The latest means by which I’m addressing this problem is by individual conversation tuition on line. It’s entirely a novelty, as previously all of my attempts have been undertaken in groups, and what is more groups which meet face-to-face. This … Read more
For my Italian language class today the instructor suggested that we look at a couple of pictures by Renato Guttuso. He’s a painter whose work I have admired for some time. (He earned my respect also for his open resistance to Fascism during the Second World War.) I had not noticed previously the importance of … Read more