Eugene Atget Appreciation

[nikos79]

Although I have the deepest respect for Romeo Martinez, whom I honestly hadn't heard of before, I do take issue with some of his quotes.
For example, his statement, 'You can't understand Henri Cartier-Bresson until you've studied his childhood. Be more rigorous, dig deeper,' feels a bit limiting. While it’s true that HCB came from a bourgeois background, which might explain some of the detachment and rigidity in his approach, I’m generally critical of the idea that understanding an artist’s life is essential to appreciating their art. Does one need to study Da Vinci’s personal history to grasp the beauty of the Mona Lisa? Or delve into Kertész’s childhood to feel the poetry in his Parisian street scenes? Art communicates through its form, content, and the emotions it evokes — not just through the artist’s biography.

 

[koraks]

I’m generally critical of the idea that understanding an artist’s life is essential to appreciating their art. Does one need to study Da Vinci’s personal history to grasp the beauty of the Mona Lisa?

How does that relate to the statements of your respected teacher who appears to have a habit of filling in the gaps with his own fantasy?

 

[Pieter12]

Although I have the deepest respect for Romeo Martinez, whom I honestly hadn't heard of before, I do take issue with some of his quotes.
For example, his statement, 'You can't understand Henri Cartier-Bresson until you've studied his childhood. Be more rigorous, dig deeper,' feels a bit limiting. While it’s true that HCB came from a bourgeois background, which might explain some of the detachment and rigidity in his approach, I’m generally critical of the idea that understanding an artist’s life is essential to appreciating their art. Does one need to study Da Vinci’s personal history to grasp the beauty of the Mona Lisa? Or delve into Kertész’s childhood to feel the poetry in his Parisian street scenes? Art communicates through its form, content, and the emotions it evokes — not just through the artist’s biography.

An artists work does not burst fully-formed like Athena from Zeus's forehead. One's background, upbringing, culture and education all influence the artist's output. They cannot be ignored. Plus in most cases an artist's work changes, evolves over his lifetime.

 

[nikos79]

How does that relate to the statements of your respected teacher who appears to have a habit of filling in the gaps with his own fantasy?

He has never attempted to explain art or photography, but his comments are meant to guide one's approach to it. Ultimately, whatever he says, the only one who can truly fill in the gaps is yourself, as you grow more attuned to art. This process can take years. Art is not a science—there are no rules, recipes, or secrets to decipher. It's a journey you must embark on yourself. If you think about it, the great artists all forged their own paths before us. How can we expect to understand their work if we haven’t even taken the first step on that path ourselves?

 

[MattKing]

I'm just concerned about a thread that keeps referencing prostitutes and Romeos in nearly the same breath.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

You can't understand Henri Cartier-Bresson until you've studied...

• (a) his childhood
• (b) Surrealism
• (c) André Lhote
• (d) Leica cameras
• (e) all these answers

 

[nikos79]

I'm just concerned about a thread that keeps referencing prostitutes and Romeos in nearly the same breath.

It's ok. Just that the balcony scene might involve a lot more negotiation than poetry

 

[nikos79]

You can't understand Henri Cartier-Bresson until you've studied...

• (a) his childhood
• (b) Surrealism
• (c) André Lhote
• (d) Leica cameras
• (e) all these answers

Please put an f) None of the above

 

[cliveh]

You can't understand Henri Cartier-Bresson until you've studied...

• (a) his childhood
• (b) Surrealism
• (c) André Lhote
• (d) Leica cameras
• (e) all these answers

I don't want to understand Henri Cartier-Bresson, as I'm only interested in his pictures.

 

[Sirius Glass]

You can't understand Henri Cartier-Bresson until you've studied...

• (a) his childhood
• (b) Surrealism
• (c) André Lhote
• (d) Leica cameras
• (e) all these answers

Add to that his art training in composition so that one can understand his refusal to allow anyone to crop his photographs.

 

[koraks]

I don't want to understand Henri Cartier-Bresson, as I'm only interested in his pictures.

Progress!

 

[nikos79]

Add to that his art training in composition so that one can understand his refusal to allow anyone to crop his photographs.

Or his preference to Bach that could explain his baroque forms

 

[snusmumriken]

So, do we need to know that Atget was an out-of-work actor, that he had rigorous hygiene protocols, or that his camera weighed 3 metric tonnes?

 

[koraks]

Or that he flunked painting school?

 

[Pieter12]

Often, knowing more about an artist can lead to disappointment. One has to learn to separate the artist from the art. However, in order to appreciate how the artist came to make the work, it helps to know more about him.

 

[Pieter12]

So, do we need to know that Atget was an out-of-work actor, that he had rigorous hygiene protocols, or that his camera weighed 3 metric tonnes?

Or that he flunked painting school?

None of that is important in order to appreciate his work, but it does help in to appreciate how the artist came to make the work. Often, knowing more about an artist can lead to disappointment. One has to learn to separate the artist from the art.

 

[nikos79]

None of that is important in order to appreciate his work, but it does help in to appreciate how the artist came to make the work. Often, knowing more about an artist can lead to disappointment. One has to learn to separate the artist from the art.

But be careful—art does not exist without the artist. We cannot separate them because art offers a window into the world of the artist.

 

[Arthurwg]

I found that interview too and Romeo Martinez stated the following:
"Only morons talk about Atget without mentioning the importance of prostitutes in his work. Without them, his photos are incomprehensible"
Too bad I cannot read the whole interview (it is under paywall)

I think Martinez is the "moron."

 

[Arthurwg]

I don't want to understand Henri Cartier-Bresson, as I'm only interested in his pictures.

Well said.

 

[Pieter12]

But be careful—art does not exist without the artist. We cannot separate them because art offers a window into the world of the artist.

Picasso and Weston were womanizers, many others abusers of people and substances. Traits that might lead some to want to dislike the person. However, the art in many instances transcends this.

 

[Pieter12]

I think Martinez is the "moron."

Because...you don't agree with him?

 

[nikos79]

Picasso and Weston were womanizers, many others abusers of people and substances. Traits that might lead some to want to dislike the person. However, the art in many instances transcends this.

What I meant by the 'world of the artist' is not their personal life, but rather the artistic universe they create through their work—the vision, choices, and messages they communicate through their art.

 

[nikos79]

In some cases, I must admit that knowing details about an artist's personal life can offer valuable context for approaching their work, as is the case with Diane Arbus or Lartigue

 

[Pieter12]

In some cases, I must admit that knowing details about an artist's personal life can offer valuable context for approaching their work, as is the case with Diane Arbus or Lartigue

Reading Revelations and several of her biographies does make one see Arbus' work in a different light.

 

[cliveh]

Would you like me to do a critique about this one?