I’ve been a fan of Walter Sickert forever. I thought his work brought imagination, light and texture to a period of British art that dripped in sentimentality. He was an Edwardian art killer and quite frankly, anything and anyone that put a stop to Alma-Tadema and friends was a hero of mine.
I too have an uneasy relationship with Sickert. On one hand, I admire his talent with colour and I think he is truly gifted in this respect. On the other hand, I have felt perplexed at his positioning of models. There is something disingenuous about it, almost as if he's trying too hard to shock or insult, it's too contrived. I think of Toulouse -Lautrecs absinthe pickled subjects in seedy, depressing establishments and they are so painful and fascinating because they are real, they are authentic. I love what you say about Sickert's arrogance. It really is his downfall. Wonderful article from you, I loved it.
I too have an uneasy relationship with Sickert. On one hand, I admire his talent with colour and I think he is truly gifted in this respect. On the other hand, I have felt perplexed at his positioning of models. There is something disingenuous about it, almost as if he's trying too hard to shock or insult, it's too contrived. I think of Toulouse -Lautrecs absinthe pickled subjects in seedy, depressing establishments and they are so painful and fascinating because they are real, they are authentic. I love what you say about Sickert's arrogance. It really is his downfall. Wonderful article from you, I loved it.