Today I would like to inform you that my new book has been published.
The new book titled “Paintings: A Catalogue of the Collection of Worldwide Famous Museum: 1. The Rijksmuseum”is a catalogue of the Rijksmuseum, a Dutch national museum, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
This catalogue has been published after obtaining permission for publication through direct discussion with the Rijksmuseum. This catalogue, published through J Books & Media, a publisher that I run, classifies and organizes the paintings of the Rijksmuseum by artists and genres, and it is believed that it will help readers to systematically understand the paintings held by the museum.
Currently, I am
introducing the stories about various artists and their paintings with the
title “Interesting
Art Stories”.
The 59th story is “The Gleaners”by Jean-François Millet.
“The Gleaners” is an oil
painting by Jean-François Millet, completed in 1857.
Self-Portrait, Jean-François Millet (c.1840-1841)
The painting, depicting three peasant
women gleaning in a wheat field after the harvest, is famous for its
sympathetic portrayal of the lowest classes of rural society at the time, and
therefore it was received poorly among the French upper classes.
Before the painting, a vertical
painting of the image was first made in 1854 and an etching in 1855. Millet
exhibited the painting at the Paris Salon in 1857, which immediately received
negative criticism from the middle and upper classes, who viewed its subject with
suspicion.
Etching of The Gleaners, 1855
Having come out of the French
Revolution of 1848, these wealthy classes saw the painting as glorifying the
lower classes. The depiction of the working class in the painting destabilized
the upper class because it meant that the upper class would be overthrown if
the lower class, much outnumbered by the upper class, were to revolt. At that
time, the French Revolution was still vivid in the minds of the upper class, so
the painting was not perceived well.
The painting was also criticized
for its large size of 84 x 112 centimeters. At the time, the painting was too
large for a painting depicting labor, because the canvas of the size was
usually used for the painting for religious or mythological themes.
Although gleaning was not a new
subject for the painting, Millet’s work was a candid statement of rural
poverty, and not biblical piety. There is only a contrast between the poverty
symbolized by the peasant women gleaning in the foreground and the richness of
the abundant harvest in the sun shining beyond, and the biblical sense of
community and compassion doesn't exist at all.
After the Salon, the poor Millet
negotiated with an Englishman named Binder, and sold the painting for 3,000
francs, much lower than his asking price of 4,000 francs, and Millet tried to
keep the miserable price a secret.
Although “The Gleaners” received
almost bad reviews during his life, public appreciation of his work steadily
broadened after his death in 1875. In 1889, the painting, then owned by banker Ferdinand
Bischoffsheim, was sold for 300,000 francs at auction. Less than a week later,
it was announced that Champagne maker Jeanne-Alexandrine Louise Pommery had
taken over the painting.
Jeanne-Alexandrine Louise Pommery
Upon the death of Madame Pommery in 1891, and following her will, the painting was donated to the Louvre. It is now in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Musée d'Orsay
“The Gleaners” is one of Millet's
most famous paintings. The image of women bending and gleaning was often
paraphrased in works of artists such as Pissarro, Renoir, Seurat, and van Gogh.
Also influenced by the painting were Honoré Daumier and Edgar Degas’"Laundresses"
and Gustave Caillebotte’s"The Floor Scrapers".
The Laundress, Honoré Daumier (c.1863)
The Laundresses, Edgar Degas (c.1874-76)
The Floor Scrapers, Gustave Caillebotte (1875)
The painting provides evidence of
Millet's role as a social critic. The depiction of three bending, gleaning poor
women, in contrast to the workers and abundant crops in the background of the
painting, demonstrates his concern for the poorest people around Barbizon and
its neighbor, Chailly.
Studies tracing the transformation of
rural France in the nineteenth century show that little change in peasant life occurred
beyond northern France and Paris until the last quarter of the century. Thus,
Millet's expression to represent class strife on a large farm in the paintings,
were quite unique and modern considering the 1850s.
The painting inspired the 2000 film
“The Gleaners and I” directed by Agnes Varda.
The Gleaners and I
The film also inspired 2019 studio
album “The Gleaners” by American jazz bassist Larry
Grenadier.
Producer:Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Moctesuma Esparza, Robert
Katz
Screenplay by: Gregory Nava
Music: Dave Grusin
Cinematography: Edward Lachman
Edited by:Nancy Richardson
Cast
Jennifer
Lopez as Selena
Edward
James Olmos as Abraham Quintanilla
Jon
Seda as Chris Pérez
Constance
Marie as Marcela Quintanilla
Summary
"Selena"
is a 1997 American biographical musical drama film written and directed by
Gregory Nava. The film tells the story about the life and career of Tejano
music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez before she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar
at the age of 23.
Selena
Quintanilla-Pérez, born on April 16, 1971 and died on March 31, 1995, was an
American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, businesswoman, model, actress and
fashion designer. Referred to as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” she became one of
the most famous Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century for her
contributions to music and fashion. She is also recognized as one of the most
influential Latin artists of all time, who brought the Tejano music genre into
the mainstream market.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
She was shot and killed on March 31, 1995 by Yolanda
Saldívar, her friend and the former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques. She
has sold about 30 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling
female artists in Latin music.
Yolanda Saldívar
The
film, starring Jennifer Lopez as Selena, was released in the United States on
March 21, 1997, and received positive reviews upon release.
Movie Review
“What a lovely biopic”
“Great movie and so so sad”
“A Moving Tribute”
“Outstanding”
“I didn't expect to like it so much!”
“Good Movie, Great Music”
“The movie was very interesting!”
“You're not human if you don't shed tears for her”
“10 out of 10 movie”
“Excellent Movie”
“Lovely”
“Alive and Astounding!”
“Very Moving”
Interesting stories about the film
1.
To prepare for her role, Jennifer Lopez lived with Selena Quintanilla-Perez's
family.
Jennifer Lopez
2.
Constance Marie, who played Selena's mother in this film, originally auditioned
for the role of Selena.
Constance Marie
3.
At the end of the film, when archive footage of Selena is shown, there are
scenes that her fans are mourning her and holding her real pictures.
4.
Salma Hayek was considered for the role of Selena, but she turned it down
because she wanted to play the role of Frida Khalo in “Frida” and she didn't
want to play another Mexican heroine.
Film poster "Frida"
5.
Selena's real parents, Abraham and Marcela Quintanilla, are said to have
started crying while watching the film at the premiere.
6.
Selena's historic Houston Astrodome concert was recreated at the San Antonio
Alamodome.
Selena performing at the Houston Astrodome concert on February 26, 1995, about a month before her death
7.
This is Jennifer Lopez's first film portraying a real life person.
