Art and Inspiration: The Paintings of Auguste Toulmouche
Fashionable 19th century Parisian painter Auguste Toulmouche is best known for his depictions of richly clad women set against the backdrop of luxurious interiors. His paintings have been called “elegant trifles” and the ladies who feature in them have been referred to as “Toulmouche’s delicious dolls.” One critic even compared the interiors of a Toulmouche painting to daintily decorated jewel boxes. Unsurprisingly, the 19th century public had a great appetite for these visual treats. Toulmouche’s paintings were popular, both with the upper and middle classes, and even with post-Civil War Americans.[…]Continue Reading
Art and Inspiration: The Paintings of Gustave Léonard de Jonghe
As a writer and art lover, I often find inspiration in the artwork of the general period in which I am writing. 18th and 19th century paintings, especially, can evoke a particular thought or feeling that is helpful to me in my creative process. Perhaps an expression in a portrait triggers an idea for a trait in one of my heroines. Or perhaps a landscape inspires me to set a scene in a park. Often, inspiration is triggered by nothing more than a particular color – a red scarf or a pair of blue shoes.[…]Continue Reading