Finding Faces: A Way to Explore Visual Art
We had a delightful day exploring The Barnes Foundation (in its new location in downtown Philadelphia… I grew up near the original location so it’s a whole thing… as a hyper-local conversation that is… also, why is this a Trump reference in 2010).
Anyhoo… the new Barnes layout is lovely and wonderful and accessible.
Unexpectedly, I found myself playing a new game— instead of your classic pareidolia, I found myself drawing comparisons of artworks with poets/writers. It was a real joy.
William Glackens – Two Women (One Seated): Kim Addonizio (standing)
Pablo Picasso – Young Woman Holding a Cigarette: Dorianne Laux
Pablo Picasso – The Ascetic: Dick Westheimer
Vincent van Gogh – The Postman: Ernest Hemingway / Sean Webb
What do you think?
*
Many museums have their collections available online— so you can play this game virtually or IRL.
*
I hope you’ll give it a try and share the images that remind you of a contemporary poet/writer.
*
Re The Ascetic, perhaps a superficial resemblance to Dick, but Dick seems more a lover than an ascetic.
I love this! Thank you for sharing such beautiful pieces of art. I love Ekphrastic writing so I always love new pieces to draw inspiration from. Here is a link to a photo by Eudora Welty at the North Carolina Museum of Art called Child on the Porch 1939 (Jackson). I'm working on a poem for this one right now. https://ncartmuseum.org/object/child-on-the-porch-1939-jackson/