Something that just pisses me off….Size Matters!!

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Size Matters!

 

Size matters, oh yes it does.

 

Okay, so let me tell you what just drives me crazy – books and catalogues that don’t list the size of the piece of art shown. Although most recently published books do give this information, I have flipped through publications (many how-to books) that do not state anywhere the size of the artwork. Argh.

 

Mind you, even when sizes are given, sometimes they just don’t register. I remember sitting in art history classes, slides of art blown up to full screen size. Go ahead a few years and I’m in a gallery and then I bump into a painting I remember studying and am shocked by how large/small it really is.

 

In this blog, I hope to show you, no, convince you, why size matters, why it’s so very important for books to specify dimensions. Reproductions can be so deceiving especially when art books show us one creation right next to another. One artwork could be the size of a living room wall, another the size of a placemat but when we see them next to each other in a book, looking pretty much the same size, we forget that distinction. As I said, even knowing the numbers might not help but at least they are available. Also, I want to say that there is absolutely nothing like seeing the real thing – it can be a life changing experience! Okay, getting sidetracked here.

 

I recently came across a book called, Great Paintings, and in it, it shows the figure of a person beside an illustration of the painting. Brilliant!!! We are going to put this to good use.

 

 

The Game

 

So I’m going to suggest a game and I hope you’ll play along. I’ll show you a number of paintings. They’ll have all relevant info except for the size. As you go through them from 1 to 15, I want you to think about what you imagine the size of each painting to be compared to your own body height. Write down your answers. At the end of the blog, I’ll show the scale as taken from the book Great Paintings and I’ll list the sizes there. Then I want you to write beside your answers if you were close in your guess or totally surprised. After you’ve done that, I’d love if you told me something about the experience, for instance what was your biggest surprise. Okay? Cool.

 

So here we go.

 

1. Duccio di Buoninsegna, "The Madonna Enthroned," c.1308-11, tempera and gold on wood panel, Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena, Italy
1. Duccio di Buoninsegna, “The Madonna Enthroned,” c.1308-11, tempera and gold on wood panel, Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena, Italy

 

2. Albrecht Durer, "The Great Piece of Turf," 1503, watercolour, pen and ink on paper, Albertina, Vienna, Austria
2. Albrecht Durer, “The Great Piece of Turf,” 1503, watercolour, pen and ink on paper, Albertina, Vienna, Austria

 

3. Leonardo da Vinci, "Mona Lisa," 1503-06, oil on poplar, Louvre, Paris, France
3. Leonardo da Vinci, “Mona Lisa,” 1503-06, oil on poplar, Louvre, Paris, France

 

4. Basawan and Chetar, "Akbar's Adventures with the Elephant Hawa'i in 1561," 1590-95, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
4. Basawan and Chetar, “Akbar’s Adventures with the Elephant Hawa’i in 1561,” 1590-95, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK

 

5. Anthony Van Dyck, "Equestrian Portrait of Charles I," c.1637, oil on canvas, National Gallery, London, UK
5. Anthony Van Dyck, “Equestrian Portrait of Charles I,” c.1637, oil on canvas, National Gallery, London, UK

 

6. Diego Velazquez, "Las Meninas," 1656, oil on canvas, Prado, Madrid, Spain
6. Diego Velazquez, “Las Meninas,” 1656, oil on canvas, Prado, Madrid, Spain

 

7. Francisco de Goya, " The Third of May 1808," 1814, oil on canvas, Prado, Madrid, Spain
7. Francisco de Goya, ” The Third of May 1808,” 1814, oil on canvas, Prado, Madrid, Spain

 

8. Gustav Courbet, "The Artist's Studio," 1854-55, oil on canvas, Musee D'Orsay, Paris, France
8. Gustav Courbet, “The Artist’s Studio,” 1854-55, oil on canvas, Musee D’Orsay, Paris, France

 

9. Paul Cezanne, " The Large Bathers," 1906, oil on canvas, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, USA
9. Paul Cezanne, ” The Large Bathers,” 1906, oil on canvas, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, USA

 

10. Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss," 1907-08, oil and silver and gold leaf on canvas, Osterreichische Gallerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria
10. Gustav Klimt, “The Kiss,” 1907-08, oil and silver and gold leaf on canvas, Osterreichische Gallerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria
11. Paul Klee, "Red Balloon," 1922, oil on chalk-primed gauze mounted on board, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
11. Paul Klee, “Red Balloon,” 1922, oil on chalk-primed gauze mounted on board, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA

 

12. Salvador Dali, "The Metamorphosis of Narcissus," 1937, oil on canvas, Tate, London, UK
12. Salvador Dali, “The Metamorphosis of Narcissus,” 1937, oil on canvas, Tate, London, UK

 

13. Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937, oil on canvas, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
13. Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937, oil on canvas, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain

 

14. Jackson Pollock, "Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)," 1950, enamel on canvas, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
14. Jackson Pollock, “Autumn Rhythm (Number 30),” 1950, enamel on canvas, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

 

15. Anselm Keifer, "Athanor," 2007, emulsion, shellac, oil, chalk, lead, silver and gold on canvas, Louvre, Paris, France
15. Anselm Keifer, “Athanor,” 2007, emulsion, shellac, oil, chalk, lead, silver and gold on canvas, Louvre, Paris, France

 

So, did you play the game? Have you made notes? Okay, Let’s have a look at the sizes:

 

 

 

1. Duccio di Buoninsegna, "The Madonna Enthroned," c.1308-11, tempera and gold on wood panel, 84 × 156 in (7 x 13'), Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena, Italy
1. Duccio di Buoninsegna, “The Madonna Enthroned,” c.1308-11, tempera and gold on wood panel, 84 × 156 in (7 x 13′), Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena, Italy
2. Albrecht Durer, "The Great Piece of Turf," 1503, watercolour, pen and ink on paper, 16 x 12.5 in, Albertina, Vienna, Austria
2. Albrecht Durer, “The Great Piece of Turf,” 1503, watercolour, pen and ink on paper, 16 x 12.5 in, Albertina, Vienna, Austria

 

3. Leonardo da Vinci, "Mona Lisa," 1503-06, oil on poplar, 30.25 x 22 in, Louvre, Paris, France
3. Leonardo da Vinci, “Mona Lisa,” 1503-06, oil on poplar, 30.25 x 22 in, Louvre, Paris, France
4. Basawan and Chetar, "Akbar's Adventures with the Elephant Hawa'i in 1561," 1590-95, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 13 x 7.75 in, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
4. Basawan and Chetar, “Akbar’s Adventures with the Elephant Hawa’i in 1561,” 1590-95, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 13 x 7.75 in, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
5. Anthony Van Dyck, "Equestrian Portrait of Charles I," c.1637, oil on canvas, 144.48 x  115 ( 12' 7" x 9' 7"), National Gallery, London, UK
5. Anthony Van Dyck, “Equestrian Portrait of Charles I,” c.1637, oil on canvas, 144.48 x 115 ( 12′ 7″ x 9′ 7″), National Gallery, London, UK
6. Diego Velazquez, "Las Meninas," 1656, oil on canvas, 125.25 x 108.75 in (10' 5.25" x 9' .75"), Prado, Madrid, Spain
6. Diego Velazquez, “Las Meninas,” 1656, oil on canvas, 125.25 x 108.75 in (10′ 5.25″ x 9′ .75″), Prado, Madrid, Spain
7. Francisco de Goya, " The Third of May 1808," 1814, oil on canvas, 105.5 x 136.5 in (8' 9.5" x 11' 4.5"), Prado, Madrid, Spain
7. Francisco de Goya, ” The Third of May 1808,” 1814, oil on canvas, 105.5 x 136.5 in (8′ 9.5″ x 11′ 4.5″), Prado, Madrid, Spain
8. Gustav Courbet, "The Artist's Studio," 1854-55, oil on canvas, 142 x 235.5 in (11' 10" x 19' 7.5"), Musee D'Orsay, Paris, France
8. Gustav Courbet, “The Artist’s Studio,” 1854-55, oil on canvas, 142 x 235.5 in (11′ 10″ x 19′ 7.5″), Musee D’Orsay, Paris, France
9. Paul Cezanne, " The Large Bathers," 1906, oil on canvas, 82.75 x 98.75 in, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, USA
9. Paul Cezanne, ” The Large Bathers,” 1906, oil on canvas, 82.75 x 98.75 in, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, USA
10. Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss," 1907-08, oil and silver and gold leaf on canvas, 70.75 x 70.75 in, Osterreichische Gallerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria
10. Gustav Klimt, “The Kiss,” 1907-08, oil and silver and gold leaf on canvas, 70.75 x 70.75 in, Osterreichische Gallerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria
11. Paul Klee, "Red Balloon," 1922, oil on chalk-primed gauze mounted on board, 12.5 x 12.25 in, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
11. Paul Klee, “Red Balloon,” 1922, oil on chalk-primed gauze mounted on board, 12.5 x 12.25 in, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
12. Salvador Dali, "The Metamorphosis of Narcissus," 1937, oil on canvas, 20 x 30.75 in, Tate, London, UK
12. Salvador Dali, “The Metamorphosis of Narcissus,” 1937, oil on canvas, 20 x 30.75 in, Tate, London, UK
13. Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937, oil on canvas, 137.5 x 305.5 in (11' 5.75" x 25' 7"), Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
13. Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937, oil on canvas, 137.5 x 305.5 in (11′ 5.75″ x 25′ 7″), Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
14. Jackson Pollock, "Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)," 1950, enamel on canvas, 105 x 207 in (8' 9" x 17' 3"), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
14. Jackson Pollock, “Autumn Rhythm (Number 30),” 1950, enamel on canvas, 105 x 207 in (8′ 9″ x 17′ 3″), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
15. Anselm Keifer, "Athanor," 2007, emulsion, shellac, oil, chalk, lead, silver and gold on canvas, 360 x 180 in (30' x 15'), Louvre, Paris, France
15. Anselm Keifer, “Athanor,” 2007, emulsion, shellac, oil, chalk, lead, silver and gold on canvas, 360 x 180 in (30′ x 15′), Louvre, Paris, France

 

 

If you get it, shout it out: SIZE MATTERS!!

And let me know how you got on with the game.

 

Whew! If you got to this point congratulations and thanks for sticking with me 🙂

 

Until next time,

 

~ Gail

 

PS. In the Art Institute of Chicago, I remeber my shock at seeing Andy Warhol’s, Mao. Click here to read my blog about it (scroll about halfway through).

 

PPS. This is a fabulous book. I can’t get over the price!! Steal of a deal.

14 thoughts on “Something that just pisses me off….Size Matters!!”

  1. Hi Gail,
    I did quite well, but there were a few surprises. The last one was the biggest surprise. 30 feet high! I expected the Klimt to be much smaller – a couple of feet by somewhat less rather than body size. Another big surprise was the Akvar’s Adventures which I thought would be at least body size. Thanks, your blogs are so interesting!

    1. Congratulations! I am glad though that you were surprised by some. The Anselm Keifer piece, “Athanor,” is shockingly huge! Totally surprised me too. Glad you are enjoying the blogs. Thanks for commenting 🙂

  2. Gwen McDonald

    50% correct! guess those are guessing odds… though I was delighted to note how many of the paintings you included I have seen in real life and was able to remember the approximate sizes of most. Things like Guernica … and the Mona Lisa …. leave an indelible impression!! And yes… size matters!!

    cheers,
    Gwen

    1. Yay!!!
      Lucky you to have seen Guernica in real life. It’s pretty amazing when you do see the original artwork – it can be so surprising when you see how big or small they actually are!
      Thanks for playing the game 🙂

  3. Hi, well I’m hopeless at this game but size definitely matters. Too bad I’m not 16 there is so much to learn. S.

  4. Karen Blanchet

    Ah History! well, I managed to get one correct, the one I had actually seen. So sad. However, I totally agree! Size matters. I like painting big.

    1. Karen, thanks for playing and for being so honest about your results! It’s almost impossible to guess correctly without some frame of reference. Buy the way, which painting had you seen??

  5. Joanne Sibley

    That is such an interesting “Painter’s Life” Gail, and yes I have always thought that size matters and always annoyed when it is not shown in an Art book. Very frustrating, and your examples show just that. Who would have thought the Keifer no. 18 would have been so huge and the Dali and Klee so small! And the Courbet which I knew was large but not that large. A very interesting way to show the scale of each painting. Thank you again for researching all this interesting info!

    1. I know, the Keifer is pretty incredible isn’t it! I was hoping the Kleee would fool everyone. Good job so far 🙂 I’m always amazed at the size of some of these paintings like Courbet. I also had no idea the Van Dyck was so large! Thanks for playing along and commenting.

  6. I was very close on half, somewhat close on others, and way off on Knifer and Cezanne. Makes me want to do better on my Cezanne studies. Brilliant post, Gail!

    1. Thanks so much Casey!! It’s amazing how much we can misjudge the size of a work even when we may be familiar with an artist’s oeuvre. Yup, size matters!

  7. Gail,
    What an interesting and well researched blog. Makes learning fun! I didn’t get any correct. Of course close on Mona Lisa. I did see Guernica and totally forgot how big it was. I am inspired to study great paintings! Thanks Gail!

    1. Thanks so much Mary Jo! Warmed my heart when you said “makes learning fun.”
      It was a tricky test and of course I was ever so surprised myself at the size of some of the pieces!
      Lucky you to have seen Guernica in real life.

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