As the Pageant of the Masters, the yearly performances of tableaux vivants, or living pictures, turns 90 this year, its organizers have titled it “Art Colony: In the Company of Artists.” Given that the pageant takes place in Laguna Beach, our local art colony, one thinks of the numerous artists who have made the town their home.
But in its recreations of famous works of art with real people posing in elaborate sets, the production first takes audiences farther afield: to artists colonies in Paris, Florence and New Mexico.
It also takes us into artistic territories that might not be so well known: to New York and the Harlem Renaissance that celebrated African American arts and culture, and the lively Chicano art scene of East Los Angeles.
Act One starts with French stalwarts Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edouard Manet in the French countryside doing their thing En Plein Air, much like later artists in Laguna Beach.
Then the script veers back to the Renaissance in Florence, introducing paintings, sculptures and jewels by Luca della Robbia, Michelangelo Buonaroti and Benvenuto Cellini. The latter’s life story and bad-boy behavior apparently roiled the prevailing bourgeoisie then and raises eyebrows even today.
Then comes another skip, to John Singer Sargent, titled “An Artist’s Journey.” Apparently, Sargent loved Italy and the creative inspiration it provided.
Then it’s back to Paris, this time to the famed Académie Julian de Paris. The segment introduces Marie Bashkirtseff, a Russian painter who had considerable talent and high ambitions for fame, but, alas, a short life.
Clearly, the Académie produced a number of gifted artists who also managed to alienate the dictatorial Salon of the French Academy of Fine Arts (founded in the 17th century) and whose stamp of approval was deemed vital for any artist wanting to succeed.
Skip again, to New York this time, and learn about the Ashcan School, so named because artists discovered the…
Read the full article here
