Art, France & Algeria (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

One of my interests as an art historian is what is known as Orientalist Art. These are paintings usually done during the era of Imperialism and Colonialism by Western (European and American) artists in the Middle East or North Africa. Since the French had colonies in Algeria and Morocco many of their artists traveled there to paint and sketch. Two of the most famous French Impressionists, Renoir and Monet spent time in Algeria. Indeed Monet served as a member of the Chasseurs d'Afrique in the 1860s. He was quite taken with the light he found there and filled his sketchbooks with local drawings including studies of uniforms and equipment he saw there. Renoir later traveled to Algeria as an artist in 1881 and 1882 and returned with paintings of Algerians and local scenery. In that spirit I have created the scene below with an "artistic" drybrush effect showing a French family around the turn of the century visiting a French outpost in Algeria where they are watching members of the Algerian Tirailleurs (Turcos) march past in review. The soldiers are from Hiriart Set 1131 and the civilians are made by Wm. Hocker

In addition to my diorama there is an 1861 picture of Monet in his uniform and a portrait of an Algerian Woman & Child (1880s) by Renoir.

 

[Grognard]

Beautiful dio and pics Polar Bear! I personnaly love Monet and Renoir.

Excuse me in advance to slightly correct your French but the picture caption should read "Une famille française visitant un avant-poste colonial en Algérie"

 

[jules118]

Great stuff. Love the context and the result. Hope you're having fun
Jules

 

[lancer]

This is an outstanding piece of work, Randy. I love French impressionism, especially Monet. I had no idea that he had been in the military. Thanks, I learned something. -- Al

 

[johnnybach]

Magnifique! - mon ami..............Msr. johnnybach^&grin

 

[ucla1967]

Randy,

I am continually amazed at how you are able to take a simple set of traditional, glossy 54mm toy soldiers and turn them into a beautiful work of art. The Wm. Hocker civilians really add an interesting element to the scene. Every time I send you another Hiriart set, I can hardly wait to see what your creative genius for this sort of thing will come up with.

Best regards,

 

[PolarBear]

Thank you Mike, Al , Jules, John & Grognard (sorry about leaving the e off of française)

 

[The Lt.]

Once again Randy your on top of your game with another of you classic photo dioramas beautifully staged and photographic my friend........Joe

 

[Obee]

Randy,

you have produced some very nice work there, well done.

We have something else in common, as well as Wilson Edwards Toy Soldiers.... Orientalist Art.

In 2010, on our trip to Turkey and Europe, my wife and I sought out as much of that style of art in all of the galleries we visited, including the Louvre in Paris, National Gallery and Tate in London, and some wonderful lesser know works in Istanbul. You don't need the art when you are seeing and experienceing the 'real thing' in Istanbul, but it was wonderful.

Thanks for sharing your work with us,

John

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks Joe & John.

John

There are lots of great books on Orientalist Art--I'll be glad to recommend some.

Of course the French paintings of Napoleon in Egypt fall into that category--that is why I am collecting the K&C NE series:smile2:


Randy

 

[PolarBear]

Randy,

you have produced some very nice work there, well done.

We have something else in common, as well as Wilson Edwards Toy Soldiers.... Orientalist Art.

In 2010, on our trip to Turkey and Europe, my wife and I sought out as much of that style of art in all of the galleries we visited, including the Louvre in Paris, National Gallery and Tate in London, and some wonderful lesser know works in Istanbul. You don't need the art when you are seeing and experienceing the 'real thing' in Istanbul, but it was wonderful.

Thanks for sharing your work with us,

John

John

Here is an Orientalist magazine cover done in 1885 by Swiss/French artist Eugene Grasset. The magazine was publishing a serialized life of Napoleon at the time.

 

[Obee]

Randy,

thanks for that book cover, I like it, an may use it as backdrop to my Napoleon in Egypt K&C display.

John