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The woman at the stove
Maurice Denis • Painting, 1893, 81×59 cm
Description of the artwork «The woman at the stove»
In 1893 Maurice Denis after a gentle, poignant novel of three married March merje. Honeymoon they spend in Brittany – rent a house in a quiet town on the coast and enjoy a wonderful time when you can be alone together. Here Maurice Denis writes the most lyrical, and at the same time the most profound and timeless portrait of his wife. In a symbolic plot are woven multiple stylistic and layers of meaning here and new Testament history, and the image of the beloved, and roll with the traditional artistic techniques of the old European fresco painting and modernist pictorial principles, which preaches Gauguin and artists group "Nabi".
Mar merje, the pianist, sincerely believing Catholic - the heroine of the dozens of portraits and a model for allegorical paintings Denis for several years now. In his journal he leads a lyrical story about the relationship with Martha, and writes the shades of their own experiences, new feelings, changing attitudes to life. Quotes from this diary would later become a long poetic names lithographic work in the album "Love" that Denis will issue after 6 years.
"The woman at the stove" - the film on March and its name, the picture, changing the emphasis in a biblical parable to the glory of Martha. It is based on the new Testament story of two sisters Martha and Mary: "A certain woman named Martha received Him into his house; she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him, saying, Lord, or You not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? tell her to help me. Jesus said to her: Martha! Martha! you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her". Maurice Denis comes into the story from the kitchen - where the hospitable Martha (Marta) is preparing a treat for the most important guest. On the background of the distant window in the next room, discern the silhouettes of Christ and Mary. But Denis is at this time not interested in the important spiritual revelations, he justifies Martha and remains here, with her in the kitchen.
Not only the name of his wife inspired the artist to appeal to a biblical parable - he guesses and confirmed in the personal records deeper similarity of Martha and her patron Saint. "Martha's doing house chores with full dedication, - writes the artist - showing shy love and taste for all that is great in simple household chores". Martha, who reads a hundred times and not until two in the morning that plays the piano, posing for all the muses and goddesses can and loves to do the necessary simple things.
Denis writes his wife in the twist - a favorite portrait reception of Flemish and Dutch masters. So looking at the viewer girl with a pearl earring andAnthony van Dyck half self portraits. But distorted perspective, simplified facial features, devoid of shadows and volume, clear outlines, decorative patterns on the dress and the wall indicates that this artist had studied more than a dozen Japanese prints and the first scenic revelation received from Paul Gauguin.
In 2015, the painting "Woman at the stove" was sold at auction by Christie's for 2,629 million dollars and became the most expensive work of Maurice Denis.
Author: Anna Sidelnikova
Mar merje, the pianist, sincerely believing Catholic - the heroine of the dozens of portraits and a model for allegorical paintings Denis for several years now. In his journal he leads a lyrical story about the relationship with Martha, and writes the shades of their own experiences, new feelings, changing attitudes to life. Quotes from this diary would later become a long poetic names lithographic work in the album "Love" that Denis will issue after 6 years.
"The woman at the stove" - the film on March and its name, the picture, changing the emphasis in a biblical parable to the glory of Martha. It is based on the new Testament story of two sisters Martha and Mary: "A certain woman named Martha received Him into his house; she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him, saying, Lord, or You not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? tell her to help me. Jesus said to her: Martha! Martha! you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her". Maurice Denis comes into the story from the kitchen - where the hospitable Martha (Marta) is preparing a treat for the most important guest. On the background of the distant window in the next room, discern the silhouettes of Christ and Mary. But Denis is at this time not interested in the important spiritual revelations, he justifies Martha and remains here, with her in the kitchen.
Not only the name of his wife inspired the artist to appeal to a biblical parable - he guesses and confirmed in the personal records deeper similarity of Martha and her patron Saint. "Martha's doing house chores with full dedication, - writes the artist - showing shy love and taste for all that is great in simple household chores". Martha, who reads a hundred times and not until two in the morning that plays the piano, posing for all the muses and goddesses can and loves to do the necessary simple things.
Denis writes his wife in the twist - a favorite portrait reception of Flemish and Dutch masters. So looking at the viewer girl with a pearl earring andAnthony van Dyck half self portraits. But distorted perspective, simplified facial features, devoid of shadows and volume, clear outlines, decorative patterns on the dress and the wall indicates that this artist had studied more than a dozen Japanese prints and the first scenic revelation received from Paul Gauguin.
In 2015, the painting "Woman at the stove" was sold at auction by Christie's for 2,629 million dollars and became the most expensive work of Maurice Denis.
Author: Anna Sidelnikova
