The only way to pay attention to the finer details is to understand that others, in a very fundamental sense, will not care for them.
There are many spectacular artists in this country, there are many whom I consider first-rate. But unfortunately, they paint only half-pictures. Their style may be immaculate and they may well be recognised, even entertained, in some of the continent’s finer houses and smoke-parlours. But this in itself presents a problem.
An artist who will allow himself to be entertained is an artist who, deep in the crevaces of his mind, entertains himself. He has come to the point of true mastery. This means he has come to the point of stagnation.
Often this will be overlooked. Their names may even outlast mine (although I have taken utmost interest in my own longevity, perhaps to the detriment of the life I myself will live). They will rise to the very highest of ranks amongst artists, amongst the noble families, amongst even all people themselves. But like all men, their reputation will precede them, and the pulses of their wrist will become stale.
They will paint the finer details most beautifully. Thus, their work will be filled with half-truth.
Because the only way to understand the finer details - the only way to convey them with fullness - is to understand just how they are treated.
And they have never been treated with care.
read the original story (BBC Culture):
Hans Holbein the Younger: The 16th-Century painter who created 'a Tinder for Tudors' - BBC Culture
The views expressed in this publication do not reflect the views of the author. The stories themselves are based on imagined events. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is fictitious and should not be taken as representative.
Must admit I like old paintings as they give an idea of life etc. One small problem is the artist may make things look better than they were. Photographers today can do the same with doctoring photographs!?
Tinder is a good way to start a 🔥