I've just been listening to this again and I really think someone should commission you to do a radio series on art. Hope someone from R4 is reading this.
What an uplifting painting - do so love the south of France. Loved Aix en Provence, the hang out of Cezanne. Bit touristy but still gorgeous, and the light is just awesome.
I know I’ve read Mistral’s Daughter, but can remember nothing about it - probably why I love re-reading books! Every cloud ……
Didn’t get to this on Sunday so a treat for Monday morning on holiday in Cornwall (Helford is full of beauty and boats and there are not many people down here!) The Times or the Beeb really should sign you up as art critic/historian India.
How absolutely lovely to be in Helford (which tries to autocorrect to Telford, which wouldn't be the same thing at all). So kind re pics but I write them off the top of my head with no knowledge whatsoever, or only minute knowledge from being dragged reluctantly round museums as a child. I do them because it's fun but also because I want to show that everyone's thoughts about art are valid and that you don't need to be qualified or hugely knowledgeable to have a view or to respond to something in a particular way - you can just say what you think without feeling shy or 'wrong' about it. But no ambitions re art criticism! But thank you.
I adore your posts about paintings and artists that you love. Leads me down interesting highways with gold at the end. Can't find the original comment on here about Judith Krantz and Mistral's Daughter but that's an interesting example of "commercial fiction" making me instantly interested in the art of the period. It did - and does - annoy me profoundly that historical research for novels that entertain is treated so dismissively.
The shining example of that is Forever Amber, which she started writing because her husband was writing a paper on Charles II and she was bored and picked up one of the books he was reading for it (Wikipedia tells me she was a sports writer, which I didn't know. Also tells me she divorced the husband when she became so successful and married Artie Shaw, as in the band leader, who had previously been married to AVA GARDNER. Then she divorced him and married her divorce attorney. Divorced him too. There's a novel in it somewhere...
When I was in grade 8 in Toronto (so, about 13, very late 1970s) I read Forever Amber, adored it, passed it to a friend…whose mother called *my* mother to alert her to my corrupting ways!! I probably thought twice before lending friends any Judith Krantz, lol, as there were a few juicy bits. (Actually re-read Princess Daisy at a cottage a few years ago and was struck favourably by the writing! Also lots of toothsome descriptions of fashion — including Daisy thrifting an emerald-green Schiaparelli trouser suit and gussying it up with paste emeralds to pass muster with rich clientele. My God, the things my 58 yo memory prioritizes!! 😳). Love all your posts, India; each is a treat. Although as a Canadian I don’t really know “Strictly”. 💃 ;)
Goodness, I remember reading FOREVER AMBER aged 19 and LIVING in it. Fascinating background information about author and actress. AN INFAMOUS ARMY by Georgette Heyer was required reading for Sandhurst cadets for years, because her account of Waterloo was considered to be more accurate and readable than those of professional military historians.
Loved Collioure when we visited a few years ago. So very pretty.We travelled from Perpignan over the mountain route. Was a little scarier than anticipated...
Also I just knew you would have a rich and warm voice!
One of my favourite paintings. Loved Judith Krantz too, tho' I don't think I read them all.
I must thank you too for your recommendation of Mick Herron's The Secret Hours a couple of weeks back, which reminded me I hadn't read it. It was perfect for the two days of summer we just had; brilliantly well done, and such a satisfying complement to the Slow Horses series. I loved it.
You're welcome. Isn't it just SO satisfying? I was asked to interview him next month in Oxford but maddeningly I can't do it, can't think of anyone I'd like to chat to more.
Do you now the Ellen Bass poem French Chocolates? It ends -
May they just keep their mouths shut and give you French chocolates and daffodils and maybe a small, original Matisse, say, Open Window, Collioure, so you can look out at the boats floating on the dappled pink water.
So funny - this is my Substack profile picture! And now here it is. It’s bliss. I think it’s the amazing pinks that most beguiled me but also yes Collioure was a revelation - I went 30 years ago and it felt almost transcendental when I arrived. As if it had always been a place in my brain and then suddenly I found it! I think it was recognition - layers of different pictures I’d seen over the years suddenly come to life. And delicious food. And a wonderful feeling of freedom and joy. As you point out - It’s all in this picture. Thank you for reminding me…,
I'd almost be scared to go back - certainly not in high summer. A few years later I spent a few months living in Cassis, just beyond Marseille, which had a similar history and vibe originally but once you've been there in July and August, never again....
I've just been listening to this again and I really think someone should commission you to do a radio series on art. Hope someone from R4 is reading this.
Thank you for reading this! I enjoyed that as I was able to listen while looking at the artwork and observing the beautiful details you described.
So great to hear this in your voice, India! I would love to walk into that painting as well!
(You’ve encouraged me to try the audio feature sometime soon :)
What an uplifting painting - do so love the south of France. Loved Aix en Provence, the hang out of Cezanne. Bit touristy but still gorgeous, and the light is just awesome.
I know I’ve read Mistral’s Daughter, but can remember nothing about it - probably why I love re-reading books! Every cloud ……
Didn’t get to this on Sunday so a treat for Monday morning on holiday in Cornwall (Helford is full of beauty and boats and there are not many people down here!) The Times or the Beeb really should sign you up as art critic/historian India.
How absolutely lovely to be in Helford (which tries to autocorrect to Telford, which wouldn't be the same thing at all). So kind re pics but I write them off the top of my head with no knowledge whatsoever, or only minute knowledge from being dragged reluctantly round museums as a child. I do them because it's fun but also because I want to show that everyone's thoughts about art are valid and that you don't need to be qualified or hugely knowledgeable to have a view or to respond to something in a particular way - you can just say what you think without feeling shy or 'wrong' about it. But no ambitions re art criticism! But thank you.
I adore your posts about paintings and artists that you love. Leads me down interesting highways with gold at the end. Can't find the original comment on here about Judith Krantz and Mistral's Daughter but that's an interesting example of "commercial fiction" making me instantly interested in the art of the period. It did - and does - annoy me profoundly that historical research for novels that entertain is treated so dismissively.
The shining example of that is Forever Amber, which she started writing because her husband was writing a paper on Charles II and she was bored and picked up one of the books he was reading for it (Wikipedia tells me she was a sports writer, which I didn't know. Also tells me she divorced the husband when she became so successful and married Artie Shaw, as in the band leader, who had previously been married to AVA GARDNER. Then she divorced him and married her divorce attorney. Divorced him too. There's a novel in it somewhere...
When I was in grade 8 in Toronto (so, about 13, very late 1970s) I read Forever Amber, adored it, passed it to a friend…whose mother called *my* mother to alert her to my corrupting ways!! I probably thought twice before lending friends any Judith Krantz, lol, as there were a few juicy bits. (Actually re-read Princess Daisy at a cottage a few years ago and was struck favourably by the writing! Also lots of toothsome descriptions of fashion — including Daisy thrifting an emerald-green Schiaparelli trouser suit and gussying it up with paste emeralds to pass muster with rich clientele. My God, the things my 58 yo memory prioritizes!! 😳). Love all your posts, India; each is a treat. Although as a Canadian I don’t really know “Strictly”. 💃 ;)
Goodness, I remember reading FOREVER AMBER aged 19 and LIVING in it. Fascinating background information about author and actress. AN INFAMOUS ARMY by Georgette Heyer was required reading for Sandhurst cadets for years, because her account of Waterloo was considered to be more accurate and readable than those of professional military historians.
Loved Collioure when we visited a few years ago. So very pretty.We travelled from Perpignan over the mountain route. Was a little scarier than anticipated...
Also I just knew you would have a rich and warm voice!
I want to go to Collioure. Thank you re voice but does anyone like their voice, I wonder?
Mistral’s daughter ! So fun! I’d forgotten it.
Me too. Can only remember something something Paris, something something Maggy, Fauve, colours, fashion/magazines.
lol- good synopsis! I just ordered it- we will see but I think you are on point.
I loved that painting and your gallery recommendations : more books please ! Loved Ministry of Time /Beautiful Ruins and Long Island thank you india
Thank you!
Yes Fauve was Mistral’s daughter, tv adaptation he was Stacy Keatch or his brother. I do miss 80’s doorstopper books!
Me too. I loved them so much.
A glorious painting. This is where I want to be all summer, bathed in sunshine and light and colour
Me too.
Should also say I'm not familiar with most of the paintings you post, and I LOVE getting to see them here with your accompanying notes.
Thank you so much.
One of my favourite paintings. Loved Judith Krantz too, tho' I don't think I read them all.
I must thank you too for your recommendation of Mick Herron's The Secret Hours a couple of weeks back, which reminded me I hadn't read it. It was perfect for the two days of summer we just had; brilliantly well done, and such a satisfying complement to the Slow Horses series. I loved it.
You're welcome. Isn't it just SO satisfying? I was asked to interview him next month in Oxford but maddeningly I can't do it, can't think of anyone I'd like to chat to more.
"It’s a bit like gardening, or indeed life: you need structure to offset wildness, otherwise it just looks like chaos."
Spot on.
Thanks, Anne!
Do you now the Ellen Bass poem French Chocolates? It ends -
May they just keep their mouths shut and give you French chocolates and daffodils and maybe a small, original Matisse, say, Open Window, Collioure, so you can look out at the boats floating on the dappled pink water.
I did not know it at all. Have looked it up - WHAT a poem! Thank you for introducing me to it. I've saved it in a special folder.
Now I've found one about slaughtering a chicken that I like less.
So funny - this is my Substack profile picture! And now here it is. It’s bliss. I think it’s the amazing pinks that most beguiled me but also yes Collioure was a revelation - I went 30 years ago and it felt almost transcendental when I arrived. As if it had always been a place in my brain and then suddenly I found it! I think it was recognition - layers of different pictures I’d seen over the years suddenly come to life. And delicious food. And a wonderful feeling of freedom and joy. As you point out - It’s all in this picture. Thank you for reminding me…,
How amazing to have it in your head and then find yourself walking around in it! As you say, transcendental.
I'd almost be scared to go back - certainly not in high summer. A few years later I spent a few months living in Cassis, just beyond Marseille, which had a similar history and vibe originally but once you've been there in July and August, never again....