I’m often surprised at how very dissimilar images just look so right when placed together. A couple of times in the last little while I’ve been blown away by the results.
An exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in the UK, paired Cy Twombly (the 20th century American abstract painter) with Nicolas Poussin (19th century French, not an ounce of abstraction). Twombly apparently much admired Poussin and perhaps this set things in motion. Whilst these are artists that I do not spend much time over, I was fascinated by the effects of the 2 very dissimilar visions displayed together. The works seemed to reach out and touch each other and the exhibition space became part of the exhibit.
Much closer to home (well in our home actually) my wife and I recently hung a few framed watercolours and prints. Having marginally more wall space than storage space, this was nominally to get them out of the way. So next to my office, out in the hall, landed a 1980’s Rijksmuseum poster and a considerably older watercolour landscape. I now walk by them constantly of course. I have to say that the print was bought at a summer fair, with the express purpose of reusing the excellent frame. In contrast, we are quite fond of the watercolour which has been with us for some time, a very competent traditional landscape.
Anyway there’s something now going on between the two and they look brilliant together. In a good painting there is balance, or discord, or tension: there is something making it sing. This extends to wider spaces and hanging paintings that “work” together is a fine example. The result is greater than the sum of the parts. To my eye both pieces are brought up and interact: in the media used (the same, they are both watercolours), the palette (quite compatible) and styles (wildly different). I could also go on about size, eras, intent etc., but I won’ t. I’m now thinking about the impact I might get if I pair other dissimilar images in unusual ways. Watch this space!
Hi David, I remember hearing about the Nicolas Poussin and Cy Twombly exhibition and thought it was a really cool idea. I was surprised to find out Twombly had admired the work of Poussin but shouldn’t have been since so many artists derive their inspiration from the artist heroes that precede them. It’s neat that your wife used this same display technique in your home — it certainly makes for a more interesting and dynamic space! Michelle
Hi Michelle, Yes…perhaps it’s a fine example where adding a counterpoint makes things sing…..David