I read (well, more like, quickly scan) Art Daily regularly. This is a great free newsletter. It arrives in my email inbox and I see what’s happening in the art world. The other day, Art Daily mentioned 1000museums.com and I clicked across to have a look at the site. It sounds really good. It supplies high quality prints of works in various museums & collections from around the world. You can even buy the prints framed. This sounded like a great deal. Who wouldn’t like to hang a nice Claude Monet reproduction on their wall?
But then I remembered I’m an author and how difficult it is to fund the creative life. Should I really spend my few art dollars on a reproduction or should I track down work I like by a living artist (you know, one who still needs to feed himself) and buy that instead?
The painting is Water Lilies & Japanese Bridge, one of my favourite Monet paintings. The colour in the original painting is breath stealing, so perfect, clear and serene. Which raises a final point about reproductions: Can they ever capture the magic of the original?
4 responses to “Art”
Having seen some of Monet's paintings at the NGA, I'd have to say the reproductions, as good as they are, can never quite capture the same quality.
Yeah, that's what I think. On the other hand…even if I had the money (oh yeah, nice dream) to buy an original Monet, I don't think I could bear the responsibility. What if the silverfish ate it?!! Active silverfish at my house … but I've foiled them with my digital books … munch on that, you nasty critters!
What a good question! I've only ever bought a reproduction once by Edwin Henry Landseer. Depending on how old the original is, sometimes the reproduction is the way we 'want' to remember it.
I buy what appeals to me, but usually they're old paintings by forgotten artists who won't profit from my purchase. As much as I want to support the arts/artists, my first obligation is to myself. What do I want to see in my home?
But your post brought up some good points.
Maria, you reminded me of the size issue of some of the original paintings … reproductions are definitely more manageable … unless I'm looking to live in a huuuuuge mansion. Nah, not even if I could would I.
But I agree. The most important point is can you live with the art. I like realist style paintings and prints and though I don't have many, I love the memories of buying them and even meeting the artists. I guess artists (like authors) have to get out there these days and promote themselves … maybe they always did?