This is a new painting. Karl was against the idea that I should paint a butterfly in a still life, he thought it would be the essence of kitsch. When he saw the result, though, he thought it was good. What do you think, does the butterfly work here?
Are there some topics in art that are going to be kitsch no matter what, or is it really more a question of how the artist handles the topic?
Kitsch? No
The butterfly perched on the stone edge adds a sense of fragility to the strength of the ceramic cup overflowing with delicious fruit.
I even feel a sense of exhaustion as the butterfly, looking up, is asking herself ‘What shall I do with this ripe fruit? Where are the blossoms whose nectar I drink?”
I love how the colors of the butterfly – white, red, grey and black – play with the colors of the rest of the picture.
I also feel the contrast between the fragility of the colors of the butterfly that will come off when touched versus the indestructibility (in German: farbfest) of the green of the cup and the red of the strawberries.
Good painting! Doesn’t seem kitchy to me.
Are there some topics in art that are going to be kitsch no matter what, or is it really more a question of how the artist handles the topic?
I think it’s option #2. Have you seen Damien Hirst’s butterflies?
David,
Hirst’s butterfly picture does something strange to my vision. It is exciting and unsettling.
David,thanks for your comment and yes I have seen his butterflies , I find them wonderfull.I also want to paint a skull one of these days.I am a fan of Damien.
Hanneke:
Good painting.
I do wonder how the butterfly would come across if it shared colors with the bowl…
beautifull thought Jay
I like the added butterfly. the colors work well. I think had you chosen different colors it wouldn’t have worked but you always have an excellant eye for detail and color that always works in your favor. beatiful painting
Hanneke,
As always, I marvel at your skill. I like the way the butterfly brings the darkness of the upper background down to the lower part of the painting. I don’t know if there are butterflies of such a color combination — probably there are — but it seems a bit improbable (dare one say gratuitous?) that it would match the color scheme in this way, and I suppose that may move the picture towards the decorative or kitsch. I think I would prefer it without the butterfly; the fruit and bowl are beautiful enough. At least that’s my first impression.
I do think that the butterfly makes an important contribution to the picture. As I earlier said, it adds a sense of fragility which contrasts the bursting strength of the bowl and fruit.
It is also a question of different life forms: The butterfly is still alive whereas the strawberries are separated from their roots and the bowl was only malleable as it was originally created.
Difference in evanescence adds symbolism to the picture.
I agree with your comments, Birgit. But for me, adding to the symbolism in this way detracts from the realism. According to my personal preferences, it’s a net loss. I may be the odd one out, though.
The butterfly means transformation and it is sitting at the edge of the table: the table and the things is Life the edge of the table the border to death. Actually this is not the whole picture . the stone ledge is floating in a dark space.
the cup is my close family, the strawberries outside family who do not live close to me and the half strawberries is me. The butterfly is my father who left this planet already. At least this is my interpretation.
Hanneke,
Thank you for the explication, that definitely adds to the depth of meaning of the picture for me.
Karl,
See how hard it is to create a good fake? It’s interesting to see how the butterfly flitting off makes the picture seems less well balanced.
It’s interesting to see how the butterfly flitting off makes the picture seems less well balanced.
Steve,
Less well balanced is my specialty.
WOWWWWWWWWW Hanneke I LOVE IT!!!!