Last week I saw an episode of Simon Schama's Power of Art. The show itself was breathtaking (since it concentrated on David's art). The editorializing from Schama was downright annoying. He was the quintessential example of the standard art world boilerplate on David (Oh, he did Marat but his other stuff is too gaudy) and classic British francophobia. Clyde, can you write about seeing Death of Socrates in NY?7.25.2007
That Bonaparte Is A Plain Monster!
Last week I saw an episode of Simon Schama's Power of Art. The show itself was breathtaking (since it concentrated on David's art). The editorializing from Schama was downright annoying. He was the quintessential example of the standard art world boilerplate on David (Oh, he did Marat but his other stuff is too gaudy) and classic British francophobia. Clyde, can you write about seeing Death of Socrates in NY?
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The Death of Socrates is worth a trip to NY. I was with a friend of mine at the museum, each with our own agendas, and I naturally sought out The Death of Socrates as something I had to do. When I finally got a full view, I teared up: it's haunting. Wailing young lads; the defiance of Socrates, teaching to the end; the faceless, shameful, retreating government officials...one can't help but be touched by the timelessness of it.
ReplyDeleteAfter about five minutes, my friend wanted to leave. I told her to go on; I stayed and stared, gape-mouthed and teary-eyed, for roughly fifteen minutes longer. I can honestly say that it was as close to a "spiritual" or "religious" experience I've ever had since becoming an adult. I could not go back to NY without going to the Met to see it again.