Cox painted Gray and Gold shortly after the United States joined the Second World War, and its image of amber waves of grain threatened by ominous storm clouds likely has symbolic overtones. The painting's foreground features an intersection of two dirt lanes, as well as a telephone pole emblazoned with political campaign posters. The artist seems to imply that American democracy is at a crossroads during this time of combat against the spread of fascism in Europe and Asia. Interestingly the work was inspired by the landscape around Cox's hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana, a location nicknamed "The Crossroads of America" due to the junction of major north-south and east-west national highways within its city limits. The museum purchased this painting out of a traveling exhibition entitled "Artists for Victory," which consisted of works by artists who wanted to assist in the war effort.
but perhaps the most important symbol in the picture isn't mentioned there, namely the way in which there are telephone poles but no telephone wires, indicating a lack of communicationView attachment 376113
Gray and Gold | Cleveland Museum of Art
Cox painted <em>Gray and Gold</em> shortly after the United States joined the Second World War, and its image of amber waves of grain threatened by ominous storm clouds likely has symbolic overtones. The painting's foreground features an intersection of two dirt lanes, as well as a telephone...www.clevelandart.org
clearly from the famous moment in if...
Does anyone else think that's reminiscent of Gogh's cafe terrace?
Does anyone else think that's reminiscent of Gogh's cafe terrace?
Was your user name based on that?What else?
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
View attachment 376142
It was. It is my favourite painting. I first saw it over sixty years ago.Was your user name based on that?
(Mine was def a Borgia nod)
I've just looked again at it, from a PC rather than phone. It's amazing isn't it.It was. It is my favourite painting. I first saw it over sixty years ago.
Stunning blue.What else?
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
View attachment 376142
Stunning blue.
The blue is so intense because the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli was used in the paint. Very expensive, therefore the greatest honour that could be paid to the subject.