17 January, 2008

Angelus (Oracion) by Amorsolo Postcard

The postcard shows the 1959 painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo entitled Angelus (also called Oracion on another website). Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (May 30, 1892 - April 26, 1972) is one of the most important artists in the history of painting in the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes. He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light. In 1972, Fernando Amorsolo became the first Filipino to be distinguished as the Philippine's National Artist in Painting.

Angelus Postcard

Unfortunately, I couldn't find additional information about the painting nor the location (private collection or museum).
It has been a part of Filipino Catholic life to pray the Angelus. The Angelus (lat. Angel) is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. It consists of three Biblical verses describing the mystery, recited as versicle and response, alternating with the salutation "Hail Mary!" and traditionally is recited in Catholic churches, convents and monasteries three times daily, 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m, accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell.

SOURCES:
Fernando Amorsolo Wikipedia Entry
Angelus Wikipedia Entry

16 January, 2008

Untitled Painting Postcard

The back of the postcard only reads:

Restaurantes - Madrid
Anzas Espalter, 8
Breda Castellana, 78
la fragua Ortega y Gasset, 6 (lista)
Untitled Painting Postcard
(PH Wish from Richard Young)

Since there was no other information on the postcard, I couldn't find the name of the painting and of the artist.

15 January, 2008

The Jewish Bride by Rembrandt Postcard

The painting on the postcard is entitled The Jewish Bride and is a work of Rembrandt. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (July 15, 1606 – October 4, 1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history.

The Jewish Bride Postcard

The Jewish Bride shows an elegantly dressed man and woman in a vague, dark room. The man has lovingly placed his arm around the woman's shoulder and a hand on her breast. Very carefully she touches his hand with her fingertips. Both are staring straight ahead, they seem deep in thought. A few objects can be recognised in the obscure background: beside the woman is a plant in a pot and behind her an architectural fragment.

Additional Information:Portrait of Two Figures from the Old Testament, known as 'The Jewish Bride'1667Oil on canvas121.5 x 166.5 cmRijksmuseum Amsterdam

SOURCES:
Rembrandt Wikipedia Entry
The Jewish Bride Wikipedia Entry
The Jewish Bride, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

14 January, 2008

The Townhall Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:
Bruxelles - Brussel
L'Hotel de Ville
Het Stadhuis
The Town Hall
Das Rathaus

Unfortunately the postcard also did not include the name of the artist. The Town Hall (French: Hotel de Ville, Dutch: Stadhuis) of City of Brussels is a Gothic building from the Middle Ages. It is located in the middle of the famous Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.

The Town Hall Postcard
(PH Wish from Richard Young)

13 January, 2008

The Three Dancers by Picasso Postcard

The painting on the postcard is entitled "The Three Dancers" and a work of Pablo Picasso. Pablo Picasso (October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973) was a Spanish painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. As one of the most recognized figures in twentieth-century art, he is best known for co-founding the Cubist movement and for the wide variety of styles embodied in his work.

The Three Dancers by Picasso(PH Wish from Teresa Ostrander)

The jagged forms of Three Dancers convey an explosion of energy. The image is laden with Picasso's personal recollections of a triangular affair, which resulted in the heart-broken suicide of his friend Carlos Casagemas. Love, sex and death are linked in an ecstatic dance. The left-hand dancer in particular seems possessed by uncontrolled, Dionysian frenzy. Her face relates to a mask from Torres Strait, New Guinea, owned by the artist, and points to Picasso's association of 'primitive' forms with expressiveness and sexuality.

Additional Information:
June 1925

Oil on canvas

support: 2153 x 1422 mm
frame: 2232 x 1507 x 107 mm
Tate Gallery, London

SOURCES:
The Three Dancers Wikipedia Entry
The Three Dancers, Tate Collection