LWD Art Appreciation ~ March 2023

I have decided to combine the monthly poet, artist, composer and classic film posts into a single “art appreciation” post each month. I think this will make it easier for everyone to keep up with and I’ll link them on the blog sidebar for easy reference. 

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Art Appreciation
March 2023

March is National Women’s History Month which inspired this month’s art appreciation selections. Enjoy!

 

Poet(s) – Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I’m collecting the Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets books and this is the third one I’ve purchased. I love the size of these little books and the binding is quite nice. I also love the fact they have a silk ribbon book marker sewn into the binding. 

Robert and Elizabeth Browning

About Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

Love and the Brownings: Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

After reading her poems for the first time, Robert wrote to her: “I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett—I do, as I say, love these verses with all my heart.”

With that first meeting of hearts and minds, a love affair would blossom between the two.

Two Poets in Love: The Romance of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most popular poets in England and the United States in the Victorian era. She was born into a family of wealth and status, which when coupled with severe lung issues that developed after an acute illness at the age of 15, led to a recluse lifestyle. She published her first volume of poetry, The Seraphim and Other Poems, in 1838 when she was around 32 years-old.

 

The Barretts of Wimpole Street

 

 

 

Artist – Frida Kahlo

I’m looking forward to exploring the art of Frida Kahlo this month. I must admit that I don’t know as much about her and her work as I should. 

I purchased this book, one of the “Basic Art” series I’ve started collecting this year:

Kahlo

 

About Frida Kahlo:

Frida Kahlo and Her Paintings

9 facts about the amazing life of Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo’s husband may have helped her die, reveals Diego Rivera’s grandson

 

 

 

Composer – Fanny Mendelssohn

I wanted to choose a female composer for this month. There aren’t a lot from the classical era to choose from, however. Despite her obvious talent, her father didn’t really approve of composing as a career for women:

Fanny wasn’t just a brilliant performer, she was also a composer – like her younger brother Felix.

You may have noticed that the history of classical music is dominated by male composers – and Fanny’s father was a firm believer that composition wasn’t a career for women. He said to his daughter: “Music will perhaps become [Felix’s] profession, while for you it can and must be only an ornament.”

About Fanny Mendelssohn:

Who was Fanny Mendelssohn, the unsung composer whose music was published under her brother’s name?

13 Facts You Didn’t Know About Fanny Mendelssohn

Music By ‘The Other Mendelssohn’ Once Ignored, Brought Back To Life

 

Spotify Playlist:

 

 

Classic Film – Gone With the Wind

I was about 12 when I first read Gone With the Wind and I was utterly smitten. Despite being born and raised in Southern California I apparently have a bit of the Southern belle in me. Just before I started high school my dad built our family a big plantation-style house on a hill…in the high desert. That’s right. In an area where every house is some shade of tan, my dad built a big, two-story white colonial with pillars across the front. One of my high school teachers referred to it as “Tara West” (my maiden name was West). 

So perhaps my love for Gone With the Wind is in my DNA. 

Now, I’ll be the first to admit there is much about the story line that is problematic. There is no denying that. However, David O. Selznick’s production is stunning and truly memorable. I haven’t seen it in a number of years but I’m really looking forward to revisiting my old favorite this month. 

About Gone With the Wind:

Film review of Gone With the Wind (1939) in Variety 

Gone with the Wind: Is It Really Nostalgic?

20 Facts About Gone with the Wind

 

 

I may read the book again, too:

At the time I’m writing this post, Gone With the Wind is streaming free on HBO Max. It can also be rented for $3.99 on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.  

And that wraps up the March art appreciation selections. I hope you enjoy exploring these as much as I know I will!

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Links to previous art appreciation posts…

January:

LWD Classic Film of the Month ~ Breakfast at Tiffany’s

LWD Poet of the Month ~ Blake

LWD Artist of the Month ~ Manet

LWD Composer of the Month ~ Vivaldi

 

February:

LWD Classic Film of the Month ~ A Raisin in the Sun

LWD Poet of the Month ~ Langston Hughes

LWD Artist of the Month ~ Degas

LWD Composer of the Month ~ Chopin