"I prefer a good 'interior' to a good landscape. The impression has a greater intensity—the thing itself a more complex animation. I find I like fine old rooms that have been occupied in a fine old way ...'"
So wrote Henry James (1843—1916), expatriate American novelist, shown above in a 1913 charcoal sketch by John Singer Sargent. NOTE: James didn't actually say the words quoted; he was repeating, in agreement, what an unnamed friend said as they toured a palace in Rome in 1873.
8 comments:
Interesting idea. I don't think of interiors as something I'd prefer in place of a landscape, but that someone does I find surprising. Of course preferring a fine landscape doesn't preclude affection for fine old rooms as well. How is your northern landscape these days?
Wonderful...his niece, Jane de Glehn's image by Sargent just sold for 1.5 mil at Sothebys.
Since you may be near...go to FENIMORE MUSEUM for the exhibit just opened: JOHN SINGER SARGENT-PORTRAITS IN PRAISE OF WOMEN.
"Venetian Girl", a watercolor of his sister Violet wearing a Veil with a come hither smile while pulling a mosquito net apart with a black fan while sitting on a bed is a dream.
Love a good old interior;
needless as I get older and wiser the ability to flow from home to fauna is also a thing of beauty.
L.
Aesthete. So good to hear from you. Just a thought - blogging is exhausting. Have you thought of a Tumblr account instead? Where short is the point? Also pictures?
Would love to see today's Vuillard or Jeremiah Goodman step out of the shadows and amaze us with beautifully painted interiors.
p.s. Hope that this coming to surface might be sign of your return.
very fine indeed.
So glad that you are back. I missed being prodded to think a little deeper. Mary
Alas, so few people allow their interiors to age well any longer...
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