The Girl with The Pearl Earring - Work in progress

Lucinda is currently working on a study of Vermeer's - Girl With The Pearl Earring.

This intriguing painting still holds an air of mystery to it, asking who is this girl. Some say it is his daughter, whilst others suggest it could be his maid with whom he had an affair.

Known as the Dutch Mona Lisa, this striking painting beckons the viewer in with her wet lips and powerful eyes. Vermeer was the highest painter of his generation and did not simply record the world around him, but carefully crafted poetic constructions based on what he observed. The more closely he relied on the life around him, the more compelling was his art.

Lucinda is studying this painting as an example of a powerful woman who sill resonates through generations after she has gone. Originally called the Girl in the Turban, the folds in the fabric were a popular choice with artists as a way of showing off their painting skills - and they still are today.

the following are examples of Lucinda's work in progress.

Preliminary Sketch

This is a recent sketch of a University History Lecturer. It is in preparation of a large oil painting.

Sneak Peak

Work in progress from Lucinda Kelly

The power of the Femme Fetale in Pre-Raphaelite art

The femme fetale was an important character in the art of both generations of the pre-raphealites. From Dante Gabriel Rosetti's deep romance with his muses, to Lord Frederic Leightons use of the strong woman as a central character, to William Etty claiming he had a deep desire to paint God's greatest creation - woman. The female character was brought to the front as a powerful symbol of man's desire.

As Lucinda deepens her practice in painting the female form, she hopes to channel this pre-raphaelite aesthetic of the bold femme fetale.

 J W Waterhouse beautifully captures the Greek god of wind, Boreas, pulling through the folds of the fabric in this painting.

 A Roman lady by Lord Frederic Leighton, who like Lucinda, classically trained in Italy

 Another beautiful painting by Lord  Leighton

 Love's Shadow by Frederick Sandys, and below the original study.

A seducing painting toying with the viewer.

 

Dante Gabriel Rosetti's painting of Lady Lillith, the powerful seductress. Originally modeled on his mistress Fanny Cornforth.

The Deluge by William Etty. A bold study of the female form presented in a beautiful curved composition romanticises this disastrous scene.

Explorations in the paintings of John Currin

Through Lucindas development of her own work she has been studying the paintings of John Currin.

John Currin is a classically trained painter, who produces often erotic representations of the female form. Reflecting renaissance painting he produces a satirical response on the often anamorphic image of women in the media.

Lucinda hopes to push the representation of woman in her own paintings. Showing female skin as something to be celebrated.

Work in progress from Lucinda Kelly

Lucinda is currently working with a new model who is sitting for her studies.

Through this she is exploring the role of gender, body image and female sexuality. 

Through simple charcoal Lucinda is asking the model to own her own space and be confident in her own skin.

More drawings to follow...

Lucina Kelly 20 x 20 prints available on Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LucindaKellyArt