 |
| "Peasant Woman at Montemurlo" Oil on Cardboard, 10 x 5 1/2 Vincenzo Cabianca, 1860-62 |
In the course of my research for the recent post on the Macchiaioli, I came across some wonderful figurative work by Vincenzo Cabianca (one of the Macchiaioli). These 19th century Italian paintings immediately brought to mind the work of
Peggi Kroll Roberts. Peggi is a California Impressionist at work today, who is a very talented painter and also a gifted instructor. I have been lucky enough to take one of her workshops, and have admired her paintings for a long time. Peggi is known for her figures painted out of doors in natural light, such as the one below.
Peggi Kroll Roberts. Peggi is a California Impressionist at work today, who is a very talented painter and also a gifted instructor. I have been lucky enough to take one of her workshops, and have admired her paintings for a long time. Peggi is known for her figures painted out of doors in natural light, such as the one below.
 |
| Peggi Kroll Roberts 2014 (?) |
Both of these painters depict ordinary people of their day. They both paint in natural light. And they both simplify the drape of the fabrics in such a lovely way. It's all about seeing light and shadow, and being able to see the world in two or three values.
I love the simplicity of the design in these paintings. Just the figure, and just enough cast shadow to anchor the figure. All of these paintings are small in size and quickly executed. But for the costumes, the Cabianca paintings look as if they could have been done yesterday. I hope people will still be looking at Peggi's paintings 150 years from now. To me, they prove an important point: Simple isn't Easy.
 |
| "Contadina a Montemurlo" 10 x 5 1/4 Vincenzo Cabianca, 1861 |
 |
| Peggi Kroll Roberts 21st century |
No comments:
Post a Comment