Hello everyone,
ready for some random ramblings? Here we go:
Hogarth
Well, since you ladies said art posts wouldn’t bore you, today I’ll take about one of my all-time favourite artists, William Hogarth. He was an English painter, engraver and cartoonist best known for his moral and satirical works, as well as for pioneering western subsequential art. Perfect examples are the Harlot’s and the Rake’s progresses and La Marriage A La Mode. The Harlot’s progress is a series of prints depicting what happens to a young country girl who arrives in London to find work but ends up in a brothel instead. She goes on to become the mistress of a rich man who maintains her but when he tires of her, she ends up alone, ill and destitute. The rake Tom instead squanders his father’s inheritance on gambling, whores and fashionable clothes and is thus forced to marry an old but rich widow to pay his debts. When he runs out of her money too, he ends up in prison. The Marriage A La Mode shows instead the ills that result from arranged marriages.
I love how Hogarth portrays the real consequences of what happens when people make bad choices, instead of glamorizing their bad behaviour and crimes or blaming their actions on someone else. It’s true that some people back then didn’t have many choices bar crime and prostitution, but others, like the rake had lots of money and opportunities and wasted them all because they thought they could do what they wanted with no bad consequences. In any case, when you make a bad choice, regardless of the reason, you will pay for it. It may not always be right, but it’s inevitable, which is why I think social and moralizing works like these are important even today. But I also love all the witty and satirical details in his prints and the fact that they provide a very interesting insight into 18th century England.
What I’m Reading Now
Ordeal By Innocence by Agatha Christie.
Dr. Arthur Calgary, recovering from amnesia, realises that he’s the only witness who can provide an alibi for Jacko Argyle. Two years previously, Jacko had been found guilty of murdering his mother and, a few months later, died in prison. But if it’s too late for him, Calgary thinks the family may be happy to find out he was innocent after all and to see his memory rehabilitated. But he’s wrong. Only one of the members of the family or of the household could have killed Mrs Argyle and so they all start looking at one other with suspicion and fear. There’s no Poirot or Miss Marple to solve the crime. Actually there’s not even a real detective. Instead, some of the characters take it upon themselves to investigate, while others prefer to just ignore what’s happening and hope the truth will never come out. Guessing the murderer in this one is quite easy, but I still enjoyed the book a great deal as it shows how unfair suspicions of guilt can really affect and ruin a person’s life. Not the best Christie’s work, but still very enjoyable.
The Links
Beaut.ie has discovered an unlikely nail art hero: sellotape.
While you’re there, also check out this post about the best 5 inexpensive hair masks for dry, damaged and chemically-treated hair.
Of Faces And Fingers explains how to clean a sticky Nars case without ruining it.
The Natural Haven reveals what ingredients can really penetrate and deep condition hair.
The Derm Blog wonders if your hand sanitizer is causing hand dermatitis?
Sunday Survey, Vol.121
1. Do you wear a watch?
I used to wear one all the time, but since I’ve got my first mobile phone, I’ve lost the habit.
2. Favourite lip colour for fall?
I love dark, dirty pink shades for fall.
3. Where are you right now?
In my bedroom.
4. Would you rather learn another language or how to play a musical instrument?
I’d rather learn French. I think it is a beautiful language.
5. Do you like music in languages you can’t understand?
I think that, if the music is really good people will appreciate it no matter what language it is in. But if you know the meaning of the words, then you’ll be able to enjoy it and appreciate it even more.
It’s your turn now!
1. Do you wear a watch?
2. Favourite lip colour for fall?
3. Where are you right now?
4. Would you rather learn another language or how to play a musical instrument?
5. Do you like music in languages you can’t understand?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Hogarth! I planned on doing a post, or a series of posts on him on my future blog, but you did such a good job here, being succinct while hitting all the important points, I think I’ll just link back here
.
We can ramble here, too, right?
); found a place that’ll make a copy of my favourite tee; got my Serbian as a foreign language text-books; cleared up a misunderstanding; got my driver’s licence (passed the test last year, but now it’s a full permit, not just a learner’s one); went to Timişoara yesterday as an early birthday gift from my mom, unexpectedly fell in complete love with the city; while there finally, after 2-3 years of scouring the whole Europe for them, bought myself a bottle of Monin syrup at a quarter of its usual price; got invited on a scientific project
I must share my love for this week: I found out about that little PVA trick (I’m yet to test it for myself); started archery for real; finally bought some acrylic paints and nail art brushes + crazy cheap striping tape (my nautical striped mani got compliments
Those are small things, but they all made me happy ^_^ .
I’m pumped. Obviously. *blushes*
1. I used to and I loved them so much I collected them, but not anymore since I got my mobile.
I think I might start wearing them again, especially when I start teaching, because you can check the time inconspicuously with them, while looking at your phone is rude.
2. Plums! Plums! Plums!
On the lips, on the eyes, on the nails… Everywhere!
3. In my brother’s room. I’m catching up on blogs and his computer has a bigger screen and it’s faster.
4. Improve on my Chinese.
5. I’m not too much into lyrics anyway, so yeah. I don’t even discern between languages I do understand in songs… I could be listening to a song and only after two or three minutes figure out it’s in Serbian and not English.
Ana´s last [type] ..etund:
Brigitte Helm in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927). It was…
Text-wall. Sorry :facepalm: .
Ana´s last [type] ..“Japanese model Vivienne Lynn became the mannequin for…
Ana, thank you. I would love to read a post of yours about Hogarth, but you’re welcome to link back to this post if you prefer too. I’d appreciate that.
Of course you can ramble here too. I love to hear what you all have been up to and you seem to have had a very exciting and busy week. Archery sounds so cool. Also, congratulations on getting your driving licence! And what a great gift from your mom. Timişoara sounds like a wonderful place. And happy birthday hun!
Good luck on your teaching job! And that’s a good reason to start wearing watches again, it’s definitely easier to check out the time with them.
It’ll be on Friday, but thanks
!
Ana´s last [type] ..(via iamsogothiwasbornblack, buttahlove)
I hope you have a wonderful day, hun!
1. Do you wear a watch? Yes, all the time. I love watches I have a collection of four.
2. Favourite lip colour for fall? Nude pinks or bronzy brown
3. Where are you right now? In my bedroom
4. Would you rather learn another language or how to play a musical instrument? I would rather learn German. I already know 4 other languages, but in German I know only basics.
5. Do you like music in languages you can’t understand? I like Arabic music sometimes because it’s relaxing.
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Tavia, wow, that’s very impressive! I’d love to learn German too. I had started studying it but, because I never have the chance to practice it, I have forgotten most of it.
Love Hogarth! With this post you’ve reminded me of one of my favorite teachers at university. It was a class about 18th century (art history). I started hating it but that man was a genious! The stories he told, his comments where just so deliciously hilarious. It was the best class ever! My favorite Hogarth serie is The Four Stages of Cruelty. A bit macabre but so “in your face” in a way. I’ve been kind of figuring out my “blog thing” recently and I too am starting to include more of my personnal interests. I guess I can’t escape that degree in art history I got.
1. Although I have an extensive collection, I rarely wear a watch & I don’t even carry a portable phone.
2. Favorite lip color is one from MUFE, a nude brownish color. Can’t get it atm since it’s in my bedroom & hubby is sleeping.
3. In my living room.
4. My native toungue is French, I understand lots of Spanish & Italian but I would love to speak them fluently.
5. Although years ago I enjoyed a Corsican band, these days not so much. If the melody is nice I can pay attention and enjoy it but I don’t think I would download it.
Oh my this was fun! Thank you for this!
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Icaria, I’m glad you all love Hogarth. He was a genius indeed. His works can seem quite boring at first because they’re quite moralising, but you when you get a closer look, you find out all the witty and satirical details. His works is informative, honest and funny at the same time.
And I’m glad you enjoyed the survey.
1. Do you wear a watch? No!
2. Favourite lip colour for fall? Vamp, of course.
3. Where are you right now? at work
4. Would you rather learn another language or how to play a musical instrument? Hard question. I’d love to be fluent in Spanish and play guitar.
5. Do you like music in languages you can’t understand? I’d say yes.
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Marina, I love vamp lips for fall too. I’m not sure I can pull that off, but it’s a gorgeous look.
I’m going to look up more of William Hogarth’s works! Thanks so much for sharing. I don’t know many artists other than makeup artists, animators, and the obvious ones.
My favorite link is the ‘how to clean NARS packaging” as they really dirty easily and I didn’t know how to clean them.
1. Only when I went running (which is over a year ago)
2. I like plums and gold glitter.
3. I’m on a couch in the living room on planet earth. :p
4. If I had to learn it, I’d pick a language and it’s be French too, but for makeup’s sake. (cosmetic terminology). If I could magically do either really well, I’d pick an instrument because there’s this enchanting feeling only beautiful music and create. It’s powerful and is in a way, an international language.
5. Yes, I like a lot of music. As long as the melody, rhythm, and vocal is good, I’ll probably like it. For a song (with words) to be my favorite, I’ll have to understand the lyrics first.
Janessa, you’re welcome. Hogarth was a genius. I’m sure you will fall in love with his works too.
I’m glad the Nars link helped you. It’s such a handy tip, isn’t it?
I agree about music being an international language and when it’s good you like it even if you don’t understand the words. It’s a very powerful thing indeed, music..
Hi gio,
Long time……
1. No, since the one I have ran out of battery.
2. Plummy, berry, red. My fav now is MAC Dubonnet, and Revlon Lip Butter Raspberry Pie.
3. In my kitchen, finishing up my oatmeal with raspberries and black fig.
4. I would want both, but since I speak 7 languages, that can take a backseat. But I have wanted to learn violin or cello so that I can perform with an orchestra! So, there you go, learning a musical instrument it is!
5. Yes, it’s the melody I always enjoy!
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Vonvon, it’s so nice to hear from you again. I hope you’re doing well.
7 languages! Wow. I’d love to be able to speak so many different languages too. But then, choosing to learn to play a musical instrument make more sense. And the violin and cello are wonderful instruments.