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. Terri 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…
Jan Steen, a Dutch Golden Age painter, was born in Leiden, South Holland in 1626. His family was well to do, were brewers, and ran the Red Halbert tavern. He had at least seven siblings and possibly more. Like Rembrandt, Steen attended the Latin school. Unlike Rembrandt, Steen is known for his sense of humor. Most people can look at his paintings and have a little chuckle as he shows life as he knew it…folks having fun at taverns, homes with many things awry, “boisterous holiday gatherings,” and “quack doctors tending lovesick women.” Steen, however, also painted in a more serious mood. He is known for painting with lots of colors as well as humorous people. It’s believed Steen painted people as he saw them without any embellishment.
A little more…
Steen was a successful artist during his lifetime. He became well known for his daily life paintings. In fact, “a Jan Steen household,” which meant a messy scene was a Dutch proverb! Here’s another fun fact. Take a look at the two paintings below. You’ll notice several of the people are the same right down to their stance! Steen produced around 800 paintings with about 350 of them still in existence.
About the art work…
It appears “The Drawing Lesson” was painted sometime around 1665. Steen used oil on a panel for this still life. The painting measures 19 3/8 x 16 1/4 in (49.2 x 41. cm). It is currently in Gallery E204 in the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California. If you look closely, you will see many different objects possibly used by Steen in his paintings. Check out the lower right hand corner. Did you find the skull, lute, a laurel wreath, wine, a fur muff, a book, and a pipe? These were representative of the vanity of life…how short it is and how vain we can be during that short span. Someone had mentioned an hourglass. I had to enlarge the image and pore over it before I could find it. There is a plethora of objects in this painting. Remember the subject…it’s a drawing lesson. An artist instructing others would, I think, have many of the objects they would need in order to demonstrate a technique or compose a painting. I love this painting because of the depths of colors as well as the many and varied things in it. I wonder, though, if that little guy messed around with the foot hanging over his head!
My interpretation…
Dang! There were so many ways to go with this particular challenge! There are all the colors, textures. There is the clothing of the three figures themselves, though that little guy would be a bit of a stretch! You could even go with a musical theme! I decided to play off the muted colors of the tapestry hung in the background. I may have also wanted to make this Woodstock Duster dress from Kantha Bae work! I am also trying to not use my go-to April Cornell clothing for the SIA challenges. The leaves in the print of my duster reflect the laurel wreath. One thing to note…when you look at these dusters on the Kantha Bae site, the color may be completely different. I was sure I’d ordered a dark navy/purple/green dress. I really love the print on this one though! I tried to get artistic with my surroundings and pulled in a glass jar, a little angel figure, and various other pots as well as my paint brushes! It was a chilly, rainy, and windy day on the day of photos so I needed a layer under the dress. I added an old Old Navy striped luxe tee and my J Jill Pima leggings. Because the dress is a bit (OK, a lot) billowy, I added a chain belt to control the billow! The silk was surprisingly warm as I wore this outfit the rest of the day!
The Lewk!
Hello, Originala! My kiddos bought me a pair of leopard print sneakers for Christmas. They were really cool, but they were too big. They were also extremely expensive. I really appreciated the fact they wanted me to have these sneakers, but I wasn’t willing for them to spend that kind of money on shoes I’d wear only once in a while! After checking out some other sneakers, I finally told them I really wanted these boots (and they were on sale). I couldn’t decide on the color but Spring Step took care of that for me. The only color available in my size were the purple ones. I secretly wanted these most. And, here they are in all their glory! I wore two cuff bracelets. The multi strand (?) is by Premier Designs, and the sparkly one is from Kendra Scott. My earrings and necklace are from Stella & Dot and are years old.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I love the Dutch masters! I think it’s because the paintings are so realistic. The colors are also so very rich. I’m always glad when one of the Old Masters shows up for these challenges. I was happy my Woodstock (don’t you love that name) Duster met the challenge! One of the things this painting did was bring up an old memory. When I was in Girl Scouts, a local artist offered art classes. And, my mom agreed I could go which was very unusual for her! I loved those classes, but I only remember drawing black lines on some nice paper! So, can we talk? Have you ever taken an art class? What do you think of Jan Steen using the same figures in two paintings? What struck you most about this painting? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible. Right now, I’m having no luck with how to get notifications to you when I respond to your comments. Please know I do respond. At this point, I guess just check back to read my reply?
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Thank you!
I really do appreciate all of you who comment, subscribe, and email. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here. I’d love it if you would follow me!
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, Being a Wordsmith, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). 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 Friday Print Mixing 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!
I think you did really well for this challenge. Marsha! I keep intending to get back into the SIA challenges but then get waylaid! I must admit, I wasn’t too keen on this particular painting though, perhaps that put me off lol!
AND OMG those boots!! That’s so cool that your kids bought them instead of the trainers. They’re absolutely gorgeous!!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, Suzy! The trainers were cool, but I knew I wouldn’t wear them nearly enough to justify their expense. Plus, they really weren’t that comfortable. But, these boots will see lots of wearing!
I think some of the art lends itself easier than others. And, if you don’t like them, it’s hard to find something that will work, right?
Those boots are fabulous! I really like realism, pointillism, and impressionism the most when it comes to paintings (I am not a fan of modern art– maybe a few select pieces here and there) and this is such a neat oil painting. It’s one I hadn’t seen before either. Your outfit definitely picks up on the colors and the feel of the fabrics and the tone of the painting.
Thanks, Joanne! I was hoping it would work! Oh, I like pointilism as well. When I was teaching, we had an art teacher who did a unit on it. It was amazing to see what the kids produced!
I am always so impressed with how you meet these challenges! That art work is really something, so much detail and you managed to nail it!
xo,
Kellyann
Oh, thank you so much, Kellyann! They are a good way to make me stretch my brain and my closet…thinking outside the box!
I am in awe of this stunning dress with its colors and print! And those boots are perfect with it. I adore the unique texture and details on them. Thanks for sharing the background on the artist in work!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much, Kathrine! That means a lot coming from you!
That dress is beautiful. I love the colors!
Thanks so much, Eileen! It’s definitely colorful!
I love how you did so much on just one piece of the painting and I adore your new boots!
Thanks so much, Terri! I had to focus on just a little bit because there was just so much there!
First off. those boots are amazing. Now you need to wear them with white skinny jeans to show them off to their full potential.
I laughed at how the people were basically the same in those two pieces of art. But then again, we wear the same things so I guess it’s not cheating, haha
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! Well, I’d have to buy a pair of white skinny jeans first! Maybe next fall!
Yeah, I couldn’t believe the same figures on two paintings, either. That had to be its own kind of difficult, though!
That is a stunning dress and what a great piece with the new boots! Your interpretation definitely channeled the richness and detail of the painting. Love that you added some artistic bric-a-brac like the paintbrushes, angel, etc., to your photos! Also I really like the print mix between the striped T and the dress, even though I can’t figure out why it works – maybe the stripe quality to both pieces ties them together? I don’t know why, but I like it! I took art class at school for a semester in 8th grade and that’s the extent of it. I do not have any talent for drawing, so I’m sure the instructor in the painting would have been disappointed. I did better with painting simply because you can put colors together and have them look interesting without necessarily needing them to represent anything specific, haha. Those repeated people/poses (with slight changes to their clothing) cracks me up! It’s like, huh I like this combo, I’m going to repeat it. (I do the same with parts of outfits, of course!) Well I guess you gotta do something to produce 800 painting in your lifetime without a posse of students in your studio doing much of the work like it seems many other old masters used.
Thanks, Sally! I think the stripe work because they’re green, and they’re stripes!!! I thought I’d try to do something artistic, but the lighting is just not as good on the back porch as it is on the front porch. I suppose we should practice more, too!
I had to take two art classes in college. One was definitely teaching us how to art. The other was more geared to “this is what you do if you have to teach art! I liked the first one better. We threw pots, made block prints, painted on canvas, and more (this was a few decades ago).
Yep, those paintings were a hoot…your surmising may just be the reason for it, too!
Interesting artwork and history behind it. I love your style interpretation from the art as well. https://www.bauchlefashion.com
Thanks so much, Heather! I love finding out new things about artists and art works!
I really like this watercolor-esque print, Marsha! It’s dreamy! The olive tones, the splashes of pink- so fun and different!
Hope you’re having a good start to the new year; I’ve got a new post up I hope you’ll stop by and see!
-Ashley
Thanks, Ashley! It’s actually tie-dyed! But, it definitely gives watercolor vibes! You were smokin in that all black outfit!!!
Again, I love love love those boots — the color is just fabulous. I’ve noticed the color changes with some of my Kantha Bae purchases too. So far, they’ve been happy surprises.
Thanks, Daenel! I looked back on my order and realized I had selected one of the lighter ones, but it didn’t look as olive as the one I received. It was definitely a happy surprise because olive is a color I can wear! I just thought I’d mention it in case anyone ordered one.
And, yes, I love these boots!
I am positively swooning over those boots – just wow! You have amazing taste and your boots stash must be huge! Love this themed blog and the duster is lovely!
Thanks so much, Penny! I’m not sure anyone has told me I had good taste let alone amazing taste! But, yes, I do have quite a few boots…old and new. I just think they make such a statement!
The duster is so pretty – even if it wasn’t quite what you ordered. And those boots are divine! I recently found another shoe company that I like just as well. I’ll be sharing my purple boots soon. 😀
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Thanks, Michelle! I actually went back and checked my order. It’s what I ordered except the colors were a bit different. But, I thought I should put that out there in case anyone was buying from Kantha Bae. A new shoe company? Oh, dear!!! I can’t wait to see your purple boots!!
Marsha, this duster dress is so freaking fabulous! And then those boots! And then how magnificently they go together. Ack! I love it all. It’s great for the artwork, too. And now I need to choose something for the next round!
Shelbee
Hahaha! Thanks, Shelbee! I went into my closet to admire my new boots and thought, “I wonder how they’ll go with this duster.” And, the magic happened! Oh, I can’t imagine choosing something…there’s soooooo much!
Impressed you the challenges met. Nice boots
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/01/how-to-style-blue-satin-dress-full-valentines-day-style-guide.html
Thanks so much, Melody!
I can see how you interpreted the painting into your outfit with that kimono. I think the muted colors of it work perfectly!
Thanks so much, Laura! I was really hoping it would work as I didn’t have a Plan B!
What a fun challenge! I love how you accomplished your interpretation!
I love the Dutch Masters too. That is my favorite area of the DIA near us – I could spend forever in there just looking at all the detail and little hidden things. And when my house is messy from now on I am just going to say it is “Jan Steen” instead.
Thanks, Erin! There are days I definitely have a Jan Steen household! I’m trying to get organized.
I just really like the Old Masters because they’re so luxurious, and I understand them! We haven’t been to Newfields for a bit. I need to get Nigel to go soon!
So fun. I liked doing the SIA challenges but really want to get back to writing about life. Maybe I can throw one in now and then because they are delightful to do. They made me think!!
Chuckled that you mentioned the mysterious foot in the painting and Daenel mentioned the cow positioned very close to it. I need to slow down and look more carefully. I remember enjoying the work of an artist who often put things in the reflection of a mirror. Your colors are so pretty and mimic those in the tapestry well. While I would enjoy some animal print tennies, I would wear those divine boots all day long every day. Good exchange for the tennis shoes. LOVE LOVE LOVE the laces. So unique.
Thanks, Leslie! These boots are more me than the sneakers. I was thrilled they even thought about buying the sneakers, but, at the end of the day, I wanted something I would wear again and again!
I have learned, from these challenges, I sometimes have to dig really deep to figure out what I’m going to wear. But, that foot just dangling there above that little guy really made me think!
I’m so glad you’re returning to blogging. It’s a release of one kind, right?
Thanks again, Leslie!
I love the Dutch masters too. And your duster – beautiful colors with the graduation! Thanks for linking
Thanks so much, Gail! I guess I like art I can understand easily!
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