A BLISSFUL INSTANT OF SUBLIMITY

“He sought not just to explore the blissful
enjoyment of a beautiful view …
but rather to examine an instant of sublimity,
a reunion with the spatial self through the
contemplation of nature.”
: noted about Caspar David Friedrich.

…

Maybe it was the Autumn colours I’d been absorbing,
while walking in the park.
My mind’s eye had been led to one of the
paintings I looked at when bringing together
inspirations for my first collection.

The painting (above) was “Woman before the Rising Sun (Woman before the Setting Sun)”
by the German Romantic Landscape painter; Caspar David Friedrich.

I was drawn to his work by the influence he had on other artists.
Other artists whose work I admire,
such as Salvador Dali and Vladimir Kush.

The Surrealists came to view him as a pre-curser to their movement.
In later years, he was also an inspiration to Mark Rothko and Gerhard Richter.

…

I love the confident female figure,
arms open with reverence
for the beauty of nature,
in awe of the rising sun.
She seems calm.
Assured and proud.
Is she meditating?
The sun’s rays inspiring strength within her.

…

Ambiguity inspires Creativity

Apparently Friedrich often didn’t name his work.
Which, I assume, is why there is opposing thoughts between art historians
as to whether it’s a sunrise or sunset.

I like this ambiguity.

It allows the viewer to make their own conclusions
to the meaning behind the painting.
To connect their own experiences to
the story of the painting.

And therefore allows for their own inspiration
to become part of the painting.

To each soul, it tells a different story.

While we might be looking at the same object,
yet we see things differently.
Seeing things differently helps creativity.
Creating a deeper, more personal, connection with the subject itself.

We become a part of the story, because of our own story.

…

“We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.”
: Anais Nin

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