The Daily Painting: Fire Fancies

Monday, November 29, 2010

Fire Fancies

(click to enlarge)

Arthur Hacker

(English, 1858-1919)

Fire Fancies, ????

Oil on canvas

Arthur Hacker was a member of the Omar Khayyam Society, and this painting of 'Fire Fancies' inspired William Wilsey Martin to write the following quatrain in the style of Omar Khayyam:

"Weird fire-light dreams are hers. On her young sight
Strange faces grow, wrapp'd in the ruddy light,
And fade, while through the caves and grots of flame
Move changing shapes like phantoms of the night."
(1891)

from ArtMagick.com

3 comments:

Tales of WhimsyNovember 29, 2010 at 7:41 PM
The light is amazing in this piece.
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Kit-KatDecember 8, 2010 at 1:57 PM
I literally gasped when I saw this. So gorgeous. The colors are fabulous and look at the wittle kitty!!! ::)
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R. A.December 8, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Glad you liked it! :)
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Questions to ask about a painting

What is the subject of the painting? Does the title add to your understanding of the painting?

What's the main color scheme? Why do you think the artist chose these colors? How do they make you feel?

Where do you look first? What do your eyes follow around the painting? What seems most important in this painting?

Is the painting organized, or jumbled? Chaotic or peaceful?

Consider what it all might mean: What does the painting tell you? What is the artist trying to say about the subject matter? What feeling does the painting evoke? How did the painter achieve this effect?