Some days I feel really out of step with the world around me. I think Joseph Stella might have had a touch of that. There are some days where either the music the art or just the vibe of a place doesn't work with you.
So when he revisits perhaps with a new mindset and maybe the ability to add or change to the vision of a place it's satisfying. I'll take a page from his book and try to do the same.
I think you are right. And honestly, there are many times when I feel very much like that too. So I definitely think his example is one for us all to take some inspiration from.
I nearly didn't read this... concrete....New York city....put me off but now I'm glad I did. His pictures look like church stained glass windows. Yes,sometimes the place where you ARE can be the place YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE when something makes you see it in a new light.
Ahh, I’m really glad to know you still gave it a read and that it was worth it in the end!
I love that stained glass kind of effect in his work too - and totally agree about how we can make the place we are into more like where we want to be.
It’s the beauty of an artist’s heart . ..the ability to make beauty out of places where others may never find it. But I think this is something we can all take inspiration from!
Joseph Stella is fascinating. It might just be me, but I see faces in Flowers from Italy and the Coney Island paintings. Looking at Purissima I saw the obvious birds, but as I looked longer I saw more birds. I also noticed how the tree on the left was closed but opened on the right. Also on the horizon on the right is a volcano.
He is an artist that the more I look at his work the more I’ll see. Thanks for sharing this.
That’s really interesting, Monica. I like how you always take the time to appreciate all those little details.
And I’m not surprised that you can possibly see faces in those other works too. With paintings like these, there is always so much to see - and it’s beautiful to know how each person will notice something different.
One of my absolute favorites, and I agree…totally underrated. There is a historic house near where I live, and in the family’s small breakfast room they have the most beautiful Joseph Stella, "The Apotheosis of the Rose", hanging over the table. Every time I visit I think: that’s a life goal right there…to have a Joseph Stella hanging in your breakfast room. (Step one: get a breakfast room.)
It is too bad that Stella (for him) was not a part of your community!!! He has a vision, intelligence, and sensitivity that is all too easily missed. Speaking for myself, it is really easy to feel alienated and isolated, wishing that someone else could see what I can see. You bring such sensitivity, compassion, and care to your reviews. I think that Stella would have felt right at home here.
That is a very kind comment, Jeff. I really appreciate it.
And honestly, I also know that feeling of isolation or wishing others could see what I see too . . . so that is the whole reason behind starting this little community here.
I would have been very happy for Stella himself to have found a home here. But at least a little part of his heart has joined us today through his work.
George, you are tellement gentil. I was hoping that my comment did not swell your head any. And your response. “I would have been very happy for Stella himself to have found a home here. But at least a little part of his heart has joined us today through his work.”
Tellement gentil. (Which is French for “truly a gentleman” but it goes so far what Americans recognize as gentlemanly qualities).
That's an interesting point. I do wonder how much more acclaim he may have received had he stayed in Paris. But also, learning the lessons there and then taking them away again into his own space seems to have really been key for him creating such an original vision.
These are incredible! How inspiring to turn a "concrete cacophony" into such art. I had never heard of him, and now I'm looking up art prints for my house! Thank you.
Some days I feel really out of step with the world around me. I think Joseph Stella might have had a touch of that. There are some days where either the music the art or just the vibe of a place doesn't work with you.
So when he revisits perhaps with a new mindset and maybe the ability to add or change to the vision of a place it's satisfying. I'll take a page from his book and try to do the same.
I think you are right. And honestly, there are many times when I feel very much like that too. So I definitely think his example is one for us all to take some inspiration from.
I just made a very similar comment, Mike!
I nearly didn't read this... concrete....New York city....put me off but now I'm glad I did. His pictures look like church stained glass windows. Yes,sometimes the place where you ARE can be the place YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE when something makes you see it in a new light.
Ahh, I’m really glad to know you still gave it a read and that it was worth it in the end!
I love that stained glass kind of effect in his work too - and totally agree about how we can make the place we are into more like where we want to be.
It’s the beauty of an artist’s heart . ..the ability to make beauty out of places where others may never find it. But I think this is something we can all take inspiration from!
Joseph Stella is fascinating. It might just be me, but I see faces in Flowers from Italy and the Coney Island paintings. Looking at Purissima I saw the obvious birds, but as I looked longer I saw more birds. I also noticed how the tree on the left was closed but opened on the right. Also on the horizon on the right is a volcano.
He is an artist that the more I look at his work the more I’ll see. Thanks for sharing this.
That’s really interesting, Monica. I like how you always take the time to appreciate all those little details.
And I’m not surprised that you can possibly see faces in those other works too. With paintings like these, there is always so much to see - and it’s beautiful to know how each person will notice something different.
One of my absolute favorites, and I agree…totally underrated. There is a historic house near where I live, and in the family’s small breakfast room they have the most beautiful Joseph Stella, "The Apotheosis of the Rose", hanging over the table. Every time I visit I think: that’s a life goal right there…to have a Joseph Stella hanging in your breakfast room. (Step one: get a breakfast room.)
Wow, that’s amazing. I would probably want to be going around there for breakfast all the time if that were near to me!
It is too bad that Stella (for him) was not a part of your community!!! He has a vision, intelligence, and sensitivity that is all too easily missed. Speaking for myself, it is really easy to feel alienated and isolated, wishing that someone else could see what I can see. You bring such sensitivity, compassion, and care to your reviews. I think that Stella would have felt right at home here.
That is a very kind comment, Jeff. I really appreciate it.
And honestly, I also know that feeling of isolation or wishing others could see what I see too . . . so that is the whole reason behind starting this little community here.
I would have been very happy for Stella himself to have found a home here. But at least a little part of his heart has joined us today through his work.
George, you are tellement gentil. I was hoping that my comment did not swell your head any. And your response. “I would have been very happy for Stella himself to have found a home here. But at least a little part of his heart has joined us today through his work.”
Tellement gentil. (Which is French for “truly a gentleman” but it goes so far what Americans recognize as gentlemanly qualities).
Love this! Thank you for sharing your recognition of this wonderful artist!
Much appreciated, Susan. Glad to know you enjoyed it.
He did well to leave Paris. I wonder if he could have produced this work in that environment.
That's an interesting point. I do wonder how much more acclaim he may have received had he stayed in Paris. But also, learning the lessons there and then taking them away again into his own space seems to have really been key for him creating such an original vision.
I have been thinking about that today, as well. The work is powerful. It sticks with you.
I tend to agree based on my very limited art history knowledge.
These works are stunningly beautiful and one imagines the painstaking care taken to harmonize all of the bold detail and color.
I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you. A new convert ! These are lovely
Beautiful artwork! Stella has a unique style, and I love that he came to embrace the city that he once could not stand.
I totally agree. He is proof that an artistic eye can still overcome an uninspiring environment.
Thank you for the lovely context on an important artist.
Really glad to know you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.
These are incredible! How inspiring to turn a "concrete cacophony" into such art. I had never heard of him, and now I'm looking up art prints for my house! Thank you.
These are nice. By the way, purissima means most pure (purest), not purist.
Thanks. And apologies for the typo - you are right, I meant “Purest”.