Boldini (1842-1931), born in Italy, was a celebrated portrait painter who worked in Paris from 1872 until his death. He was a friend of Edgar Degas, whose influence, I believe, can be seen in Boldini's swishing, flourishing, near-Impressionistic style. I love how the realist portrait style for the faces dissolves into random jagged backgrounds. His work looks like ribbons of color unfurling in a breeze.
Top to bottom: Portrait Of A Young Man; Count Robert de Montesquiou; Portrait of the Artist Lawrence Alexander "Peter" Harrison; Portrait Of Marchesa Luisa Casati With A Greyhound; Walking In The Bois de Boulogne; John Singer Sargent (Standing); La Divina; Spanish Dancer At The Moulin Rouge
http://www.giovanniboldini.org/
1 comment:
I think the portrait of the young man shows Boldini at his very best. I was surprised to find that he had painted it. Its restraint is admirable, and I think it the best work I have seen by him. In general, though his paintings are attractive and decorative, I find his mannered style reminiscent of fashion illustration. For me, the portrait of the young man is a revelation of what he was actually capable of.
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