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G. E. Schwartz
G. E. Schwartz
@geschwartz58.bsky.social
3 days ago
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#lucretiaborgiareignsinthevatican #frankcadogancowper #VisioDivina #painting #meditation

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Michael
Michael
@mdstamper.bsky.social
11 months ago
The title of this painting by English artist Frank Cadogan Cowper references a genre of painting known as "vanitas," which was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries to remind viewers of their mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions, taking their name from the biblical insistence that “all is vanity”. Cowper reminds us that neither the beautiful young woman in flowing red hair wearing luxurious clothes nor the ripe grapes in the background can flourish forever – in time, both will fade and die. The figure in this painting bears a strong resemblance to the models favored by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood artists Dante Gabriel Rosetti and John Everett Millais in the previous century. The clothes show a mixture of historic and contemporary fashion influences. The silver hand-mirror and string of pearls reflect the fashion of the early 20th century, but the predominant influence is Renaissance Italy. The woman wears a ferronière (jeweled headband) in a style that dates back to the 15th century, while the elaborate dress with its serpentine pattern is similar to one depicted in the Italian Renaissance artist Giulio Romano’s Portrait of Margherita Paleologo. Cowper was born in 1877 and studied at the Royal Academy Schools. He enjoyed significant critical acclaim early in his career, writing to his mother that "Vanity" and another painting exhibited at the RA in 1907 were “a terrific success. I am continually getting letters from people wanting to buy one or the other.” He was excited that the art dealer Joseph Duveen bought the work, adding “I can feel sure my work is good if he thinks it worth buying.” It seems Cowper was very attached to Vanity – after selling the painting, he bought it back in 1921 because it was one that he “really wanted to keep”. Eventually, his own vanity intervened and he gave the work to the RA Collection, to serve as an impressive legacy for future generations to admire after his death. After all, you can’t take it with you.

The title of this painting by English artist Frank Cadogan Cowper references a genre of painting known as "vanitas," which was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries to remind viewers of their mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions, taking their name from the biblical insistence that “all is vanity”. Cowper reminds us that neither the beautiful young woman in flowing red hair wearing luxurious clothes nor the ripe grapes in the background can flourish forever – in time, both will fade and die. The figure in this painting bears a strong resemblance to the models favored by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood artists Dante Gabriel Rosetti and John Everett Millais in the previous century. The clothes show a mixture of historic and contemporary fashion influences. The silver hand-mirror and string of pearls reflect the fashion of the early 20th century, but the predominant influence is Renaissance Italy. The woman wears a ferronière (jeweled headband) in a style that dates back to the 15th century, while the elaborate dress with its serpentine pattern is similar to one depicted in the Italian Renaissance artist Giulio Romano’s Portrait of Margherita Paleologo. Cowper was born in 1877 and studied at the Royal Academy Schools. He enjoyed significant critical acclaim early in his career, writing to his mother that "Vanity" and another painting exhibited at the RA in 1907 were “a terrific success. I am continually getting letters from people wanting to buy one or the other.” He was excited that the art dealer Joseph Duveen bought the work, adding “I can feel sure my work is good if he thinks it worth buying.” It seems Cowper was very attached to Vanity – after selling the painting, he bought it back in 1921 because it was one that he “really wanted to keep”. Eventually, his own vanity intervened and he gave the work to the RA Collection, to serve as an impressive legacy for future generations to admire after his death. After all, you can’t take it with you.

Vanity by Frank Cadogan Cowper (English) - Oil on panel / 1907 - Royal Academy of Arts (London, United Kingdom) #womeninart #art #portraitofawoman #oilpainting #RoyalAcademy #artwork #womensart #RoyalAcademyofArts #Pre-Raphaelite #FrankCadoganCowper #vanity #style #Cowper #EnglishArtist #EnglishArt

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