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Writing

Ocelot II

(121,737 posts)

6. I do like Wagner's music (I'm listening to "Das Rheingold" right now),

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #5)

Sun Feb 28, 2021, 12:45 PM

Feb 2021

actually more than I like Degas' paintings, which have always struck me as a bit insubstantial, at least those of dancers - but then I've never been a big fan of the French impressionists anyhow. I just looked up some info about Degas and learned that he was something of an equal-opportunity bigot in his old age; he even fired one of his models when he learned she was a Protestant. But I try to separate my attitude about an artist's personality or politics from what I think about their works, since a number of them were rather awful people. Talent and virtue do not always go hand in hand.

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Hi. Can you give me some advice? [View all] CTyankee Feb 2021 OP

I didn't know that about Degas. Ocelot II Feb 2021 #1

The thing is that I love Degas work (I don't love Wagner's music). CTyankee Feb 2021 #5

I do like Wagner's music (I'm listening to "Das Rheingold" right now), Ocelot II Feb 2021 #6

But didn't the Nazis glorify Wagner very loudly and publicly? CTyankee Feb 2021 #10

They did, but that doesn't make his music less valuable; Ocelot II Feb 2021 #12

I think you conveyed the dichotomy (the beauty of his talent and the ugliness SeeingEyeRefugee Nov 2021 #22

I think it's easy to forget or ignore the deep vein of anti-Semitism cyclonefence Feb 2021 #2

I believe one source referenced the Dreyfus Affair, which evidently is when Degas was CTyankee Feb 2021 #7

Were the ballet dancers kept by these men? cyclonefence Feb 2021 #13

I am guessing that these girls were sexually exploited. CTyankee Feb 2021 #15

I agree cyclonefence Feb 2021 #18

Sadly, yes. CTyankee Mar 2021 #19

I think I'd skip it Bayard Feb 2021 #3

I don't think Michelangelo being gay would be an issue. Overlooking predation on young girls is CTyankee Feb 2021 #9

Not advice, but I read this recently about Degas: Gaugamela Feb 2021 #4

Yes, I have that source. He did paint their pain and exhaustion. And you see in his sculpture, The CTyankee Feb 2021 #8

It's no secret that artists tend to be eccentric misfits. It seems Degas' work may be closer to Gaugamela Feb 2021 #11

well, for one thing, Degas did not want to paint outdoors and said so. CTyankee Feb 2021 #14

I wish you well on your book. Sounds like a labor of love. Gaugamela Feb 2021 #16

It is. I'm old now but I love art history. working on this book keeps my mind from turning into CTyankee Feb 2021 #17

You might look at how the recent controversies over Gaughan are being Mike 03 Mar 2021 #20

I'm not that interested in Gauguin, to be honest. But I am not surprised at this discovery. CTyankee Mar 2021 #21