Hello there and welcome back! I got some inspiration for today’s post from a t-shirt I had gotten as a gift this past year. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Pacsun, a clothing brand I happen to really like, did a collaboration on a line of clothing and I had to have something. The shirt I got has John White Alexander’s “Repose” painting on the back. I thought it was really beautiful so I thought it would be a great topic for today’s post!
John White Alexander was born in America but he studied art while travelling in Europe. He spent a lot of time in Paris, France learning to oil paint which greatly impacted his style of painting. It is because of this that he was so successful internationally with his art. His images of sensual yet graceful women exude French style which was very popular in the 1890s. Alexander had a talent for crossing American and French style of painting that created an incredibly appealing image.
One of the most intriguing things about this painting is the meaning in the posing. There is so much to be said about the composition of this work and how open it is to interpretation. The title “Repose” suggests relaxation and rest and that can be seen in how the woman is fully relaxed in her pose with the exception of her gaze. Her gaze is fully turned to the viewer suggesting a kind of tension between the woman and the viewer. I think this contradiction is an important part of why this painting is so interesting. It really draws you into the scene and makes you think of your own interpretation of the work.
I really loved learning about this artwork and I’m super happy it was included in the clothing line collaboration. I think it’s such an amazing thing that art can be incorporated into fashion because it’s given more exposure to the world. It also gives the opportunity for people to learn about art they may not have been exposed to before just like me!
I hope you all loved learning about this artwork with me and I’ll see you all next time!
~Marissa