I love his paintings, and you tell a wonderful story about the birthday girl. Why is the celebrated child at the table often the most unhappy? Too much build-up to such an event maybe? Happy Birthday Carl (and Kersti)!🇸🇪
This painting commemorates the thirteenth birthday of Larsson’s daughter Kersti. In the artwork, Kersti is depicted seated on the right-hand side of the picture.
Your verse adds layers to the artwork, infusing it with a sense of mystery and allure. What initially appeared straightforward now captivates with deeper intrigue, inviting a more thoughtful and appreciative second look.
Beautiful description of birthdays and the emotions they may evoke! You’re taking us behind the scenes of Kersti’s birthday celebration. Who is the anxious one I wonder? What made you pick Carl Larsson for your poem?
Thanks pilgrim! The anxious one to me is the one center right in front. I see it in her eyes. Not sure if anyone else does. As for choosing Larsson, purely by chance. I have a desk calendar that has new art for every day. This piece popped up recently. It sparked something. I didn’t know of him until then.
He was a very famous painter from Sweden and he often depicts the idyllic lifestyle and decor of folklore and tradition. Really cool that you picked him. Or he picked you. I would have not picked her as anxious. Now I need to look again. Would you share with us the calendar? It’s a great way to connect with new art. Would you say this is an ekphrastic poem then?
Yes, been looking around at his work and his very fruitful creative partnership with his wife, too, and I've learned about the Arts and Crafts movement of the time that I wasn't really aware of, overshadowed in my education by Modernism etc. My wife got me the calendar for Christmas last year, and I've gotten a number of poems from it, posted here, her calla and haiku cattus being two. Yes, definitely ekphrastic, this one. Hopefully, an ekphrastic poem can be read without needing to see the art, like Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn doesn't need the urn to enjoy it. Here's the link to the 2024 edition of the calendar. Hoping it will be in my stocking!
Lovely poem, and I really admire how you make it into a game of looking intently at art. Every piece tells their own story, but also the story of the one watching, looking at it, reading it.
How can something so fairytale like be so ominous?
"are you the slightly anxious one,
close, whose radiance, still
a little bit interior, is just
starting to ease itself out, "
Love this poem! The "who is Kersti" study. And every luminous line.
thanks, Sylvia, you quoted a bit I like, too!
I love his paintings, and you tell a wonderful story about the birthday girl. Why is the celebrated child at the table often the most unhappy? Too much build-up to such an event maybe? Happy Birthday Carl (and Kersti)!🇸🇪
That was my thought! Thanks for reading, Ann.
This painting commemorates the thirteenth birthday of Larsson’s daughter Kersti. In the artwork, Kersti is depicted seated on the right-hand side of the picture.
Interesting! Curious how you know that. I did try looking around on the net for more info, but got bogged down with jigsaw puzzle versions.
I did a deep dive on gloomy art sites that break down art pieces until they are shredded under the obtuse language.
I believe the information came from a letter.
Your interpretation is far more intriguing.
Your verse adds layers to the artwork, infusing it with a sense of mystery and allure. What initially appeared straightforward now captivates with deeper intrigue, inviting a more thoughtful and appreciative second look.
Beautiful description of birthdays and the emotions they may evoke! You’re taking us behind the scenes of Kersti’s birthday celebration. Who is the anxious one I wonder? What made you pick Carl Larsson for your poem?
Thanks pilgrim! The anxious one to me is the one center right in front. I see it in her eyes. Not sure if anyone else does. As for choosing Larsson, purely by chance. I have a desk calendar that has new art for every day. This piece popped up recently. It sparked something. I didn’t know of him until then.
He was a very famous painter from Sweden and he often depicts the idyllic lifestyle and decor of folklore and tradition. Really cool that you picked him. Or he picked you. I would have not picked her as anxious. Now I need to look again. Would you share with us the calendar? It’s a great way to connect with new art. Would you say this is an ekphrastic poem then?
Yes, been looking around at his work and his very fruitful creative partnership with his wife, too, and I've learned about the Arts and Crafts movement of the time that I wasn't really aware of, overshadowed in my education by Modernism etc. My wife got me the calendar for Christmas last year, and I've gotten a number of poems from it, posted here, her calla and haiku cattus being two. Yes, definitely ekphrastic, this one. Hopefully, an ekphrastic poem can be read without needing to see the art, like Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn doesn't need the urn to enjoy it. Here's the link to the 2024 edition of the calendar. Hoping it will be in my stocking!
https://www.calendars.com/shop/art-gallery-2024-desk-calendar/202400008426
Very inspirational calendar. Great gift. You better tell Santa!
Lovely poem, and I really admire how you make it into a game of looking intently at art. Every piece tells their own story, but also the story of the one watching, looking at it, reading it.
Great write.
Just fascinating, thanks.