Friday, October 8, 2010

Presenting: Séraphine, French Painter

Séraphine Louis, known as "Séraphine de Senlis" (1864–1942). She was a French painter and painted in what is called the naïve style. Naïve art is considered as art that is simple in appearance and technique, with no formant training. I don't feel this classification justly apply's at all. Séraphine's work is so detailed and very exquisite, she only painted flowers and nature with this repetitive obsession. Is that not called passion? True enough Séraphine was, "self-taught, inspired by her religious faith and by stained-glass church windows and other religious art." Her faith was her passion, and she strongly felt that she was honoring her calling and doing God's work. Some considered her crazy for listening to voices and living her life by this inner calling. We all know that there is a very thin line between genius, madness, and artistic talent. But her gift is obvious. However, this poor woman who barely got by, made her own paint colors from plants and animal that she developed herself, all while doing menial jobs to keep painting. Remarkable. Her life story was represented in the film by Martin Provost, simply titled Séraphine. This was an excellent film and like most artist, her famed has increased with her death. You can check out the trailer to the film here.

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