This type of design is called "strapwork," because the shapes mimic the artful designs that leather and metal straps of Michelangelo's time featured. My blogging friend Theresa of Art's The Answer has posted extensively about strapwork, and you can read more about it at her site, here.
Below is the primary wall of the Pompeii Room, finished above the green bar. I'll be doing more work on the green and red areas a little later.
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| click to enlarge |
Notice that the two roundel portraits on this wall balance the clipeus, or metal shield that hangs over the cityscape. Likewise, the bases of the muses balance the flowers and the white cloth behind them, in the identical stepped pattern. Finally, within the cityscape itself, the divided pediments in the background follow the stepped pattern as they relate to the foreground pediment.
I have one more element to add above Marcus Aurelius, and then we'll look at his wall, too. But first, I'll be sharing a Pompeian surprise that came my way recently. I hope you'll join me next week for that!
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Hello Mark, Now that the wall is revealed in its entirety (at least the top part) we can see how masterfully all of these components fit together. There is such an incredible balance of colors, shapes, solids, voids, light and dark areas, direction, symbolism, etc. that a sense of rightness and harmony is achieved, despite a great amount of detail. Each element instead draws us into the overall composition.
ReplyDeleteYour strapwork labels are perfect, bringing us forward to the Renaissance, while also glancing backwards, as they suggest a variation of the Egyptian cartouche, especially when filled with the emperors' names.
I looked at Theresa's blog, and was struck by how the stylized effect of strapwork is reflected in a lot of early Chinese art, and is in effect a first cousin to fretwork and keywork. Now I have one more concept to keep in mind when looking at early art.
--Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeleteThank you for saying better than I ever could exactly what I have been working to achieve — if I ever write an art book, I would be wise to ask you to author the foreward!
I started my career, long before the advent of the ubiquitous computer, as an advertising illustrator, and became conscious early on of composition — how elements within an illustration related to each other and how they related to the rest of the page. Such relationships of course apply to all design, and I have come to realize that one good indicator of an artist is the degree of clarity with which one sees relationships.
I realize that's a very broad definition, but I think it works. When people say "it's all in the details," they're almost always talking about how one element relates to another.
Oh my goodness, Mark! What a treat to see the primary wall at a distance-- it's absolutely wonderful! I agree with Jim's comments-- your composition is masterfully constructed... You've documented all of the steps and history of each element so beautifully, I'm wondering if you've considered publishing the project as a book? Certainly not as a how-to (no one could approach your expertise), but more as documentation of the creation of a work of art... I'd certainly be in line to buy it!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Erika
Dear Erika,
DeleteOur mutual blogging friend Gina has suggested that this project be turned into a book, and has even given me printing leads, so that little bug has been put into my head, and now you've also given a kind nudge. But there's more work yet to be done, and possibly even in other rooms! So I will take you suggestion and put it on a back burner, and not just keep it warm, but perhaps put it on "simmer!"
Best wishes,
Mark
Dear Mark, I thought that I was prepared. I thought that I was prepared to see the entire wall. But I wasn't prepared for the beauty, the technical skill, the overall impact of the entire design. You have created a masterpiece!
ReplyDeleteDear Gina,
DeleteThank you — I know you've seen a lot of murals in your travels, and are an artist in your own right, so your words mean all the more to me! Now it's on to the opposite wall!
Dear Mark,
ReplyDeleteJim has really said it all, except how truly breathtaking this work of art is and how very unique. I have never seen anything like it a masterpiece indeed!
Teresa's blog is wonderful as well and one I always enjoy visiting.
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Thank you, Karena!
DeleteTheresa's blog has been a huge source of inspiration for me, and I admire how she has delved into (and mastered) so many traditional and historic techniques.
What a pleasure it has been to follow along on this project, and now to see it coming together so masterfully is just a thrill.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara, I'm glad you've been enjoying the unveiling! But the project is far from finished! We're just migrating to other walls, so stay tuned.
DeleteI think this thread exemplifies the best the web can offer. So many professional artists can gather and discuss what affects us all...Art! Jim always gives the best descriptions and sums up things so well. Gina inspires us all with her love of color and pattern and Mark , you have brought us all together time and again with your skills and research. The strapwork was the perfect addition and transition for this fabulous wall. Thank you so much for referring to me and my blog. You all inspire me daily and I truly hope you do make a book on this Mark.
ReplyDeleteDear Theresa,
DeleteLike you, I really enjoy the generous sharing that happens in the blogosphere, and when I describe to aquaintances the sort of connections I've made here, they're always quite surprised by the depth of those exchanges. And it goes even beyond the blogging friends like you with whom I have regular sharing. A while back I posted about the illustrator Paul Davis — whom I idolized as a young artist — and within the week I received a lovely comment from him, and an update of his life. It's all the exchanges and genuine interest and caring that make blogging a very rich experience, indeed.
I love it! I had a similar experience once and smiled like an idiot all day long.
DeleteDear Mark - it was a joy to return home and see your wall in all its glory. The 'strapwork' and lettering are the cherry on the cake.
ReplyDeleteIt has been suggested you should put your inspired work into a book, but I am convinced that an Interior Design Magazine would also be interested in featuring your work. Whatever you decide I would suggest that you print off these posts and put them into an attractive file to leave nonchalantly lying somewhere in the room. Then visitors to your home could enjoy not only seeing your inspired project but also read about it from All Things Ruffnerian posts.
Dear Rosemary,
DeleteWelcome back! I've been enjoying your Turkish progress and that you've posted while on the road — somehow that makes it all the more excitng. I remember sitting on my grandfather's lap and listening to overseas radio broadcasts when such things would be full of static, and somehow the memory of that makes the immediacy of our digital age all the more wonderful for me.
I really like your idea of a file for visiotrs to the house! Thanks for a great idea!!
This is really coming along! exciting! And I adore the red coral dangling over each rondel! Bravo, Mark!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynne. That you adore any aspect of the room means a lot to me! I was thinking of the great Andrea Mantegna when I added the coral branches.
DeleteTaking a step back to admire the entire wall - WOW! What an honor to have followed this from the beginning. Happy Thanksgiving, Mark.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loi! But there's more to come, so stay tuned.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Oh, love, love, love this, Mark. It just gets better and better. I can only pray that I have remaining even one third of your energy and enthusiasm set aside for my own coming task. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Yvette,
Delete. . . and I hope that you will be able to share your new project, or at least give us an overview! I'm sensing energy and enthusiasm on your end, and that goes more than half the way.