About Style Imitating Art…
Style Imitating Art comes from Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee. Please make sure you visit each blog to see their SIA looks. You can think of it as fashion meets art museum! Style Imitating Art challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Every other Monday one of the three selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. They then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, they share their outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Shelbee chose this week’s art work. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here!
Inspiration Art Work…
About the artist…
Lucian Freud was born in Berlin, Germany on December 8, 1922. When he was 10, the family emigrated to England to escape Nazism. In 1939, Freud became a British citizen. He was expelled from the Bryanston School for disruptive behavior. I wonder what his grandfather would have to say about that! Yes, his grandfather was that Freud! Lucian Freud attended various schools before becoming a merchant seaman in World War II. He began his painting career in 1943 when Meary James Thurairajah Tambimuttu commissioned him to provide illustrations for a book of poetry by Nicholas Moore.
A little more
After that, it appears Freud was in demand for most of his 60+ year career. He has been labeled a figurative artist as well as a surrealist. Freud painted 283 paintings which doesn’t seem like many given how long he painted. Several of his paintings were quite large. Freud’s paintings also took time…lots of it. It wasn’t unusual for a single painting to take more than a year! Freud’s assistant, David Dawson, worked for him for twenty years, seven days a week! He explained Freud’s painting technique. He would work on a very small area. Once he got that right, he’d go out from there. I guess his paintings were done when he thought they were done! If you’d like to read more about him, here is the rest of the interview with Dawson. Here is an archive of Freud’s works. Freud did not shy away from nudity…in fact, he painted lots of nudes so you might not want to open that archive at work or around the kiddos!
About the art work…
Interestingly, Freud was not commissioned to paint this portrait of the Queen. He had painted the Queen’s secretary, Robert Fellowes, in 1999. During the sittings, they discussed Freud painting the Queen. Originally, she was going to go to Freud’s home, but the press found out about it. The project was shelved. After painting John Richardson (a biographer of Picasso), Freud realized he could and, in fact, had painted a smaller painting quickly. The Queen agreed to this portrait and sat for him twenty times at St. James Palace. The painting, which is only 9.5 inches (24.13 cm) x 6 inches (15.24 cm), is painted on canvas with oils. Freud completed the portrait after several months (I’ve seen six months as well as 19 months) and presented it to the queen as a personal gift. This article speaks to some of the controversy surrounding the portrait. Another compares the queen’s portrait to her beloved corgis! As to what the Queen thought, no one knows. She did, however, say this, “Very nice of you to do this. I’ve very much enjoyed watching you mix your colours.” I have to admit, when I look at Freud’s self-portrait, I see Bill Murray rather than the Queen as many insisted!
My interpretation…
I knew two things I was going to include in my interpretation…my new purple boots and bag! Freud concentrated so closely upon her face and hair that we only get a glimpse of her clothing. From the photo of her sitting for Freud, though, we can see she’s wearing one of her matching skirt suits. I don’t have anything like that at all! Since I wanted to incorporate the purple boots and bag, I decided to go with the lovely Claudette velvet dress from April Cornell. It’s not quite the same blue as the Queen’s suit, but I think she’d approve! Hahaha!! I don’t have anything remotely like a tiara or crown so I improvised with a necklace! Nigel and I ventured out to one of the local parks for some good background. Unfortunately, the area with the picturesque bridge was closed off to the public.
The Lewk!
I just noticed I wore these gorgeous Originala boots in the last Style Imitating Art challenge! That means they’re versatile, right? The coil bracelet and earrings are from Stella & Dot. The gold double strand of “pearls” are from Loft. The “crown” is from Banana Republic. With the exception of the boots and Brahmin Small Caroline bag, everything is old.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I had lots of fun with this particular challenge! I consider myself a fan of the late Queen. I’m not sure how historically accurate The Crown is, but there is no denying her devotion to her country. I enjoyed learning about this artist, too. That’s one of my favorite things about this challenge. So, can we talk? What do you think of this portrait? If you had sat for a portrait, and it came back like this, would you be happy with it? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible. I’m still having issues with you receiving notifications about my responses. I’m not giving up, either! I will find an answer!
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Thank you!
I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support! I appreciate the comments, emails, and subscribers! Thanks so very much! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here!
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Just a note…Traffic Jam is on a bit of a hiatus as I try to figure out how to continue it.
I love your improvised crown! You did a great job with the colors of the painting too… but I don’t think I would be happy if I had commissioned a piece and it came back like this. As much as I love impressionism-type art work I don’t think it’s quite the right feel for a portrait with all it’s layers and shades and wrinkles of paint.
Thanks so much, Joanne! I was hoping everything would come together! Actually, the Queen didn’t commission this painting. She just agreed to sit for it. I wonder if there was some bartering going on though. I wouldn’t think the Queen would just give up that kind of time! Freud did give it to her after it was finished. King Charles has leant it out to some museum, I think!
Love it. Especially the purse. She carried it everywhere in that castle, palace, everywhere. Love your more!
Thanks, Hope! I forgot to mention you can see the handles of her purse in the photo of her sitting for him! I thought that was funny!
This look is perfect with this painting! I love the dress and adore the bling you added with the crown. That Brahmin bag is something special too!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! This dress is even better IRL! I have so many Brahmin bags. It was time to add a fun one into the mix!
I think you look so much more beautiful than the painting, Marsha! I must admit to not liking the painting at all. I really don’t see the Queen’s likeness and I think the other pic looks a lot like Bill Murray LOL! However, your outfit is fabulous and the location of the photos is beautiful! You nailed this challenge, Marsha.
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Oh, Suzy, you have made my day! Thank you so much! I really had a lot of fun with the challenge and then getting out in the snow! It was a last minute decision and worked out well!
Thanks, Suzy!
Absolutely fabulous Marsha. I have a tiara I could have sent you, LOL!!
and look at you romping in the snow. Now that’s dedication,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hahaha!!! Now why doesn’t that surprise me that you have a tiara!!! I actually wasn’t cold…I think I was running on adrenaline because I had to change clothes in the car!!!
Thanks, Jodie!!
I think the Queen would absolutely love your interpretation, Marsha! The dress is so lovely- and major props to you for braving the cold to get these shots! Love your spin on the crown and those boots are just so ornate and fab!
-Ashley
Oh, thanks so much, Ashley! Would you believe I changed in the car because I wanted to do two outfits? I had to hunker down in the back seat because we don’t have tinted windows! Unless someone had a telephoto lens, I think I’m good!
I love these boots and can’t wait to wear them even more!
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Marsha, you win this challenge in my opinion! I absolutely adore this dress and your boots and your bag and the necklace in your hair! You are a creative genius, my friend. I love these purples and blues together and your photos are so fun! Your Bill Murray comment cracked me up! I only see the Queen when I look at this portrait though. I don’t see Bill Murray or Lucian Freud’s alter ego or her beloved corgis as some have said! LOL This was really fun and I love all the outfits that were inspired by the portrait.
Shelbee
Wow!! Thanks so much, Shelbee! I kind of knew I was going to use this dress, and then I remembered the boots and bag so that came into the mix! It was lots of fun! As far as Bill Murray…I meant the self portrait of Lucian Freud not the Queen. I actually think it’s a very good rendition of her. I don’t think it’s ugly. I think it’s a face that’s lived a life.
Thanks again, Shelbee!
Great outfit, Marsha – I love the creativity of wearing a necklace as a crown and the dress is gorgeous! I 100% get Bill-Murray-as-a-zombie vibes from the Freud self-portrait.
Thanks, Sally! I think my granddaughter has some of those sparkly headbands, but I waited too late to ask! So, I had to improvise! This dress is even lovelier in person and will be better once I hem it! I’m so glad you see Bill Murray!! I mean, once you see it, you can’t unsee it!
Oh my goodness, I can’t imagine working on the same painting for an entire year. I don’t have that much patience! So creative with your necklace in your hair. It looks so fancy!
IKR!!! I would forget where I stopped and where I wanted to go. But, it sounds like he had his method, and it definitely worked well for him. His paintings sold for millions!
Thanks so much, Laura!!
One word comes to mind when I see this – enchanting! You look beyond lovely and the setting is gorgeous -absolutely enchanting!
xo,
Kellyann
Oh, thank you so much, Kellyann! That has made my day! Now, I feel like Cinderella at the ball!
Marsha, these pictures from the park came out stunning! You pop right out against the white snow. I love this dress and the fact that it has pockets, makes me love it even more! I must say you look like a queen yourself with that necklace in your hair. What a great idea! So pretty!- Meagan
Thank you so much, Meagan! I was determined to take pictures in the park that day even if we couldn’t go where I wanted to go! It was actually kind of fun!
Your dress is so pretty and perfect for interpreting the painting! Love your jewelry and crown!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks so much, Jill! I was just going to go for some bling as a necklace, and then I thought why not try it on your head!!!
That is such a lovely dress and those boots…. I adore them! Also your accessories – the jewels, super!
As for the Freud portrait of the Queen I know it was considered to be awful by many of the UK population. But hey it was Lucien Freud and that’s how he paints people. Anyone can research how he paints so the Queen’s advisers must have told her how a portrait done by him would turn out. I have mixed feelings about it, as it’s not a true likeness but I know that’s not what art is meant to be. I admire his work though and this is just one example of his unique way of painting.
Great post and so interesting, I learnt more about Freud than I have done over the years – thank you!
Thanks so much, Penny! My tiara was out at the cleaners (I wish)! I was so glad my kids were ok with trading the sneakers/trainers for these boots as I shall wear them much more! I was surprised to read the reactions from the press about this portrait especially as the Queen didn’t commission it. I hadn’t ever heard of Freud, but I’ve seen some of his work and didn’t realize it. I probably wouldn’t race out and buy one (like I could afford it)!
I’ve been fascinated to see all the different interpretations of the Queen. She would have approved of your take, particularly the improvised crown! I saw the painting recently at the Lucian Freud exhibition. He was a complex character who apparently fathered 14 children! Thanks for linking.
Thank you so much, Gail! I actually read there were some who thought he’d fathered as many as 40!! That’s a busy man!
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