Sullen, perhaps resentful
of my own metaphysical
success, how they declare
success pompously and
in ignorance, my reflection,
my eyes stare back at me,
the surrealist inspiration,
the partisan (in a decade
this face could fight in Spain),
my own particular pastiche
of a Renaissance portrait,
a neo-Classical throwback
to foreshadow my work
to come.
I will reject my surrealist fame;
I will embrace the Academy;
I will become neo-Rubens
and the fools will still miss
my true genius.
The Poetics prompt today at Dverse Poets is to select a painting by Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978) and write a poem. I selected his 1925 self-portrait (above). What I found particularly interesting is that after embracing surrealism and its related philosophical currents, de Chirico would eventually reject it all and embrace painting in the classical style, influenced heavily, scholars say, by Rubens.
You can read a short biography at Olga’s Gallery and a longer, more detailed one at Wikipedia. You can see the paintings he’s most famous for today at Olga’s Gallery as well.
To see more poems based on the prompt, please visit Dverse Poets.
nice glynn...i too found his story as fascinating as his art...and to break away from what brought him fame (if you will)...nice verse yourself breathing life into that action and what it really means for him...and what he is saying in doing so...well played...
ReplyDeletegreat that you took his self-portrait glynn...his story is indeed fascinating and i'm wondering why he turned away from surrealism - would love to ask him...strong closure with the fools missing his true genius..
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read this isn't far from his attitude. He went his own way the whole way. When he met Picasso he didn't do cubism, he created his own thing. Much later - decades later - many painters began working in older styles again, sometimes combining them in quirky ways, just as de Chirico did.
ReplyDeleteI like the sense of "I will" being a manifesto of sorts.
ReplyDeleteHe was a very hard headed stubborn mean man but his story is a fascinating one. He hardly ever smiled and preferred to be sullen in both face and feature. Lord knows what brilliance wwnt on in that mind of his, but as is always the case, genius borders on insanity
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, wonderful use of the prompt today. A true testament to the artist, his work and his life...neatly packed in well thought choice and presentation. One could leave here easily knowing more of the artist...bravo!
ReplyDeleteI like how you wove his life with history, a bit of projection into the future situation in Spain, an analysis of the man. Good response to the prompt, Glynn.
ReplyDeleteVictoria
In the style of Rubens, but stamped inextricably by Spain. So much closer to Goya, El Greco, Velasquez than to Gris, Dali, Miro. Who cannot help but admire the ethereal in Rubens who almost achieved heaven in his skin tones and skies but that delicacy and softness is burned from de Chirico as the sun broils in his work.
ReplyDeleteYour piece is excellent in getting under his skin and into his stream of consciousness. It's a triumph!
Excellent, Glynn.
Work well done on your part.It was straight from the hip as far as the artist view.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to the artist journey,his art and his temperament...
ReplyDeleteYou captured it very well ~
It's interesting how artists want others to enjoy their work, but that same longing can end up bringing more trouble when misunderstandings begin. It makes me think of how indie artists often feel some pull not to become famous. I think some artists would prefer obscurity to fame.
ReplyDeletechanges
ReplyDeleteare made
bringing some
to their knees
they can not stand
by the changing
not pleased
is everyone
all of the time
I am just spellbound. It's like you studied the artist's soul so very carefully that words had to come pouring.Amazing write.
ReplyDeletePerfectly took on the position of the artist. Wonderfully penned Glynn! ~ Rose
ReplyDelete