Hello Friends, how are you all?
It’s been awhile since I’ve done an illustrated exhibition review, to be honest, I haven’t been to many exhibitions lately. I’ve been working hard at my studio. But I did go to this exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.
I was invited to the Jean-Etienne Liotard exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, and as an avid portrait artist myself, I was fascinated with this exhibition. Even more, when I learned the majority of the painting were done in pastels!
So I am sharing with you all a quick guide to the exhibition! For that quick lunchtime reading. 😉
Top Tip:
Many thanks to Dolores Le Fanu, art historian who gave the group a talk about Liotard. If you get the chance to catch her talk; go for it! She is riveting to hear
Portrait of Liotard illustrated by June Sees
The man himself
Liotard was a swiss artist who was the master of pastel and was widely anticipated and popular in Royal courts. He was not a highly educated nor was he was taught in art schools. But he was a self-promoter, charismatic and eccentric man. Which is really admirable, considering he used his personality to work hard.
He traveled and worked in Europe, France, London and Constantinople in the east. He wore traditional kaftan robes, long beard. Liotard fitted in very well with the locals in the Orient, however when he arrived in Europe, many referred him as ‘The Turk.’
Illustration of Constantinople illustrated by June Sees
Issac-Louis de Thellusson, 1760 Pastel on vellum
PASTELS
Girl sitting on Sofa illustrated by June Sees
Jean-Etienne Liotard, Archduchess Marie-Antoinette of Austria, 1762
Some portraits were not flattering
Liotard vowed to paint his subject as true as ‘God’ made them! So when a woman was heavily covered in makeup, Liotard would make her take it all off! Mind you, few of his portraits were not flattering, with the double chins, stubby arms, etc. But many people loved that he has captured them perfectly, flaws and all.
His portrait told stories within a still life. There are delicate touches when Liotard depicts lace, silks and fur upon soft flesh.
There you have it!
Would you like to have your portrait done?
Who is this Exhibition for? Those who enjoy: - 18th Century Art - Classical paintings - Portraiture - History
Please comment or tweet me, I love hearing what your thoughts are.
I hope you all enjoyed reading this!
Ticket Information
24 October 2015 — 31 January 2016
Admissions: £11.50 (without donation £10). Concessions available. Friends of the RA and under 16s go free when with a fee-paying adult.
Saturday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
Friday 10am – 10pm
Christmas closures
Please note that the RA will be closed on the 24, 25, and 26 December 2015. On Friday 1 January 2016, the gallery will be open from 12 – 6pm.
For further information, please click here to go to the Official website.
