CSP: A Collection of Poems
Viewing comments for Chapter 80 "The Arnolfini Portrait"A collection of poetry
28 total reviews
Comment from FredCollingwood
Another great poem. I really enjoyed and learned something too. Comment: you did the first one correctly but the others, not. em dashes--two dashes--no spaces.
Keep em comingo
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2009
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Another great poem. I really enjoyed and learned something too. Comment: you did the first one correctly but the others, not. em dashes--two dashes--no spaces.
Keep em comingo
Comment Written 29-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2009
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Fred, YOU are the "em dash nazi" - LOL!!! But, you are correct, and I continue to mess them up! Keep yelling at me. I'll get it right one day (then maybe in a year, I'll end up being an em dash nazi. HA!!! Thanks for the review. :-)) Sue
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Just fixed those 'em dashes'. Looks much nicer and cleaner. Thanks again! Sue
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The only reason I know about them is because someone corrected me. We all pick up little things that make us feel smart. I love your work.
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Well, my "nazism" comes out with iambic meters! LOL!!!!
And I continue to smile when you tell me you love my work (**big grin**)
Comment from jaeladarling
I love the painting you selected to write about! It does seem to be debatable on whether or not she is pregnant. I think she is just holding the dress up and the eyes are tricked. But who's to say? Maybe she was pregnant.
You have beautifully portrayed this painting and the era it represents. Thank you for sharing this with us.
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2009
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I love the painting you selected to write about! It does seem to be debatable on whether or not she is pregnant. I think she is just holding the dress up and the eyes are tricked. But who's to say? Maybe she was pregnant.
You have beautifully portrayed this painting and the era it represents. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Comment Written 28-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2009
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I am with the crowd who does not think she is pregnant. If you look at how long and full the rest of her dress is (all over the floor); My belief is that the artist asked her to hold it up like that for a stunning contrast and for the draping to be seen. On top of that - a merchant in the 1400's wanting his new bride painted when she's been knocked up? LOL!! I don't think so! HA!! Anyway, so glad you enjoyed the writing about this lovely piece. Thank you for your very kind review. With regards, Sue
Comment from Joan E.
My, you are so prolific lately. Van Eyck's masterpiece has always fascinated with its symbolic elements and the complete and complex story it portrays. You describe this context very well in your poem, and in rhyme no less. Thank you for including the sharp image of this painting along with its provenance.
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2009
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My, you are so prolific lately. Van Eyck's masterpiece has always fascinated with its symbolic elements and the complete and complex story it portrays. You describe this context very well in your poem, and in rhyme no less. Thank you for including the sharp image of this painting along with its provenance.
Comment Written 28-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2009
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This is one of the harshest winters we've had. Both December and January has been unbelievable with the amount of snow. I bet we now have 20" sitting on the ground. And the temperatures just won't melt any of it. So, I believe that's why I'm writing so much. It's an arctic tundra out there! HA! I do love this painting so much. I saw it in London and was captivated. So glad you appreciate it, also. And am glad you enjoyed my writing about it. Thanks so much, Joan, for your very kind review and compliments. With regards, Sue
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I remember you said you ski--so, there may be one other positive consequence of the extreme weather. We also travel a lot, and I remember seeing this van Eyck for the first time outside the reprints in art books and being startled by the realism of it, in person. Thanks again for recapturing that moment.
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Well, I live in the prairie flatlands. And I don't care for cross-country skiing. Love the rush of downhill! I do look out at the snow and think about how much we love to see such a sight when in the mountains!
Thanks for telling me you travel a lot. I do too. (except these past 3 years). I'm trying to plan another trip to Australia in October, as I love the islands there so much. Where have you travelled? Would love to know where you've been.
So glad you saw the painting. A very special treat, indeed!
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We travel often, since my husband says we need to take these adventures while we can still walk! We've only been to Australia once, but we visited both Heron Island at the Great Barrier Reef and Kangaroo Island in the South, where we went on two safaris and saw exotic creatures from echidnas to fairy penguins. You know from my poems "Cambodian Chameleon" and "Khmer Rouge" that we recently went to Indochina (but I haven't submitted anything on Viet Nam yet). What's you're next favorite destination after Australia?
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I used to live there and my my children were born in Queensland. When I go there, I love to charter a boat off Cairns and stay out in the middle of nowhere on the reef for at least 10 days. Go up to about 12 degrees latitude and back down the many ribbons of reef. My favorite part of the whole world.
I'll stop in Brisbane to see some relatives, though.
I just came back from Egypt in July. A wonderful time with my daughter. We both love history. And next year, would love to get back to Europe. Not sure where yet.
Isn't it a blessing to be able to travel. My life's dream come true.
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Yes, indeed we are very fortunate to be able to travel. I'd revisit Egypt in a heart beat and go back to the Outback tomorrow, but we have to keep ploughing forward to new challenges! So, our next trip is to Borneo in May-- it does sound exotic.
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Borneo! You DO take exotic journeys! Going to have to have a bit of a read about it soon. Brush up on my geography and culture!
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By the way, have you read my "Shiitakes," an epulaeryu? I'm thinking of continuing a series of mushroom poems...
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By the way, have you read my "Shiitakes," an epulaeryu? I'm thinking of continuing a series of mushroom poems...
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By the way, have you read my "Shiitakes," an epulaeryu? I'm thinking of continuing a series of mushroom poems...
Comment from MJMuraco
Your poem was really great. I loved the portrait and you did a great job in your poem of pointing out the finer points that many people would not see. It is well written and flows nicely. Good Luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Your poem was really great. I loved the portrait and you did a great job in your poem of pointing out the finer points that many people would not see. It is well written and flows nicely. Good Luck in the contest.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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So glad you enjoyed the painting. I really liked this contest, because I do love art so much. And this was the first time I've ever written a descriptive for one. I saw this painting in London, but it has been a few years ago. Did some more research on it to keep my facts straight. Thank you very much for your lovely review. Very much appreciated, Sue
Comment from RapturedHeart
This is a very lovely painting, Sixteezkid. You've really done it justice in pointing out the small details my untrained eyes didn't even notice. At first glance I assumed she was pregnant; but, now I am not so sure. Are those some kind of wooden sandal clogs on the floor?
Just an excellent entry, and a sure contender for the contest. Take care,
Heather
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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This is a very lovely painting, Sixteezkid. You've really done it justice in pointing out the small details my untrained eyes didn't even notice. At first glance I assumed she was pregnant; but, now I am not so sure. Are those some kind of wooden sandal clogs on the floor?
Just an excellent entry, and a sure contender for the contest. Take care,
Heather
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Yes, the clogs are another bit of symbolism. I read this: Husbands traditionally presented brides with clogs[7]. It can also be seen as indicative of domestic stability and tranquility. Thank you very much, Raptured Heart, for a very lovely review. So glad you enjoyed the painting! :-)) Sue
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Thanks for getting back to me on that - quite interesting.
Comment from fictionwriter
Great job. This poem flowed well, and the descriptions were wonderful. I didn't notice anything that stood out as needing to be fixed. Great job.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Great job. This poem flowed well, and the descriptions were wonderful. I didn't notice anything that stood out as needing to be fixed. Great job.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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fictionwriter, thanks very much for reading and reviewing. And for your lovely compliments. With regards, Sue
Comment from rmdelta
wow, sue. what a difficult poem this must have been for you to write. Great word choices and the descriptives are awesome, my friend. This must have been very hard.
Reggie
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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wow, sue. what a difficult poem this must have been for you to write. Great word choices and the descriptives are awesome, my friend. This must have been very hard.
Reggie
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Well, er...er....well, with a bit of homework, surprisingly, it wasn't! HA! I already know the painting well and just did a big of reading on the details and tried like heck to keep it as short as possible, as it is a big subject matter to discuss a work of art. (Hint: writing in couplets make it much easier). HA! Thanks so much for your review, Reggie. And for your lovely compliments. :-)) Sue
Comment from Hitcher
I'm not cultured enough to appreciate the artwork I'm afraid, I do think she is pregnant though[for sure]. Your poem on the other hand is very well crafted Sue and I'm sure or friend Brooke will enjoy this offering of yours. Aren't you glad fashion has moved on a few light years since then friend, I know I am, ha ha,
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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I'm not cultured enough to appreciate the artwork I'm afraid, I do think she is pregnant though[for sure]. Your poem on the other hand is very well crafted Sue and I'm sure or friend Brooke will enjoy this offering of yours. Aren't you glad fashion has moved on a few light years since then friend, I know I am, ha ha,
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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I'm from the crowd who says she is NOT pregnant. Back in those days, a wealthy man would not have had a portrait painted of his "Knocked Up" new bride!! LOL!!! Anyway, it's one of many things about this painted that remain discussed (believe it or not). I love your line about fashion moving forward a few light years! LOL!!! My God! Just how long did it take for those women to dress? And I can see your point about how long would it take to disrobe? Ha! Ahhh,,,but they were so elegant. That's the feminine side coming out of me right now. Aesthetic, but extremely unpractical. Thanks so much for your review, Hitch. You are da man!! :-)) Sue
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I am indeed! HA
Comment from adewpearl
A fine poem about this oft-debated and studied painting with excellent detail that brings it to life even without an illustration - I'm so glad you mention the mirror and that you discuss it as a painting, not just describe what it depicts. Strong rhyming couplets - I had better get to work on mine this afternoon!!! Thanks, Brooke
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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A fine poem about this oft-debated and studied painting with excellent detail that brings it to life even without an illustration - I'm so glad you mention the mirror and that you discuss it as a painting, not just describe what it depicts. Strong rhyming couplets - I had better get to work on mine this afternoon!!! Thanks, Brooke
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Brooke, I was waiting for your very important review! I am SO happy you liked it. I figured you would know this painting well, of course. Thank you for your great review and glad I did not disappoint! Can't wait to read yours!! :-)) Sue
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I must devote some real time to it tomorrow!!! Ugh. I am such a procrastinator - I know what painting and I've done some research but have not written word one.
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YOU? A PROCRASTINATOR?? Say it isn't so! I'm in good company then. HA!
I know you'll write a beautiful, descriptive piece and I so look forward to it.
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OK - It' isn't so. Now you've turned me into a liar. LOL
Comment from skye
Wonderful picture, wonderful tribute to the painting and the artist.
I learned a great deal more about this painting and this artist from your words.
Thanks for the journey into another time and place.
Well done.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Wonderful picture, wonderful tribute to the painting and the artist.
I learned a great deal more about this painting and this artist from your words.
Thanks for the journey into another time and place.
Well done.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2009
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Hello Skye! So happy my words were informative. Really wanted to make it that way. Thank you so much for your very generous review and lovely compliments. With regards, Sue