Jamie in a tux

[Michele Rushworth]

Geary, it's at the Seattle Art Museum. It's Leon Delafosse. I did find an image of it on the web:

[Kimberly Dow]

That is a gorgeous example Michele - thanks for posting it. I love how the black runs into his suit. I wish someone would hire me to paint Jamie in his tux - his mother can't afford to pay me.

Does this mean Mike that you wont start that thread? I truly would love to see examples of good, bad etc... and where is the line drawn that turns them into figuratives. I always thought of figuratives as having to be looking away, but I have since seen plenty of portraits like that. And when you get to groups of people...then it's a fine line to me unless they are formal and staring right at the viewer.

[Kimberly Dow]

Michele - a quick question since you have seen that portrait in person: Can you tell me what colors are in that hand ? Just a guess maybe...it recedes so beautifully.

[Geary Wootten]

Thanks Michele!

Since my mother is visiting from California.....I think I'll take her there tomorrow.

I agree with Kimberly about the black-on-black look. Very rich. The young man looks like he was born on a bed of money!

[Michele Rushworth]

Geary, the last time I went to SAM this painting was not on display, but I know it is in their own collection. You might want to call the museum and see if they would let you see it anyway.

Kim, I don't remember the colors in the hand but I do remember that the suit did disappear into the background almost completely. That surprised me but it had an interesting effect of making the figure seem like he was growing out of the darkness.

[Garth Herrick]

Hi Kimberly,

Forgive me but I couldn't resist embellishing your black on black themed image. You don't have to take this composition seriously, as it looked great already. I know the lighting doesn't make sense between the two.

Reversing the Sargent makes better sense with the light. The way everyone is looking different directions and thinking separate thoughts seems Manet-like.

Garth

[Jean Kelly]

Looks like the mentor overlooking his protegee, or the "art of cool". I love it!

Jean

[Kimberly Dow]

Garth - it looks like father & son to me - the rich nobles or something. Either that or it could be an ad for the 'fashinably-dressed' aristocrats. I'll show Jamie when he gets home - he ought to get a chuckle out of it!