Edouard Manet, A Bar at the Folies Bergere

Recently an interviewer asked a guest on CBC "what is your favourite painting?" and that got me thinking about what work I would choose if it had to just one painting. The first painting that came to mind is Manet's A Bar at the Folies Bergere. I first learned of this painting in an art history class and was immediately enamored by its overwhelming sparkle. Recently I made a pilgrimage to the Courtauld Gallery in London, UK, where this work is housed.

This is a painting I have longed to see for most of my adult life. As I took the bus to the Courtauld, I felt an anxiety welling up in me, the kind of nervous excitement one might feel when approaching the meeting place of a first date.  I was fearful that the painting might be on loan, or no longer there, or that in some way, it would disappoint by either being too small or damaged with cracking oil paint. After a few panicky moments going up and downstairs, I was delighted to discover this beautiful painting with a bench in front of it. It looked as fresh as if it had been painted last year. I sat in front of it for about 45 minutes, and then later came back to take in another 20 minutes. I was transfixed by how the paint applicaton itself and the subject capture your attention equally.

Over time this painting has also caught the attention of many others, including writers Michel Foucault in Manet and the Object of Painting and editor Bradford Collins with his book Twelve Views of Manet's Bar. Phillip Pulman discusses Manet in his piece "What makes a masterpiece?" and describes the barmaids face as the most unreadable ever painted. Here is an article that describes how Manet's The Bar at the Folies-Bergere is Constructed. These are a few examples among many of writers trying to deconstruct and interpret this magnificent, yet very enigmatic work.

While it is fascinating to read all the various interpretations of the painting, my favourite thing to do is to look at the painting and imagine what Manet was thinking while creating it.  Some of the things that have seized my imagination are how the surface of the work is treated with equal attention in every inch of the picture plane and also how the barmaid appears to be in a world of her own and is either being protected or trapped by the bar. I think what the painting does best is capture the idea of daydreaming through its main subject, while at the same time encouraging the viewer to fall into their own state of reverie as they contemplate the visual and psychological components of this masterful work.

Sunday, Feb 6, 1-4pm 

The inspiration for this workshop comes from the fantastical and intricate botanical drawings of the Renaissance period. You will create your own fantastical floral compositions using a range of expected and unexpected collage elements. The botanical collage will provide the source material for a watercolour study. No previous drawing or watercolour experience necessary.

Tuition: $65.00 (3 hrs)

All materials included

Related images

To register online

Sunday, Feb 6, 1-4pm 

You will learn a range of techniques to transfer your photographs onto printmaking paper and to incorporate them into your paintings, collage or mixed media artwork. You will discover how to blend, distress and create composite images by hand (as opposed to through a digital process). Artists, photographers and anyone interested in photo-based mixed media will find this workshop of interest. (Please note that oil of wintergreen is used in one of the transfer processes).

Tuition: $65.00 (3 hrs)

All materials included

Related images

To register online

Sunday, Feb 15, 1-4pm 

 

Human beings are born storytellers and everybody has an interesting story to tell. Have you have wondered what it would be like to put one of your life stories (however large or small) into words, but didn't know how to get started? This afternoon workshop will help you find a way to jumpstart that process. Through a series of fun and non-intimidating word and writing exercises, you will learn very basic techniques of how to free your mind so that words can flow out onto the paper. This workshop is geared to people who want to gain the confidence to write. No writing experience is necessary. 

 

Tanya Driechel
Tuition: $50.00 (3 hrs)
Bring pen and paper. 

 

 To register online

Starts March 2 

Jeroen Witvliet

Are you a practicing painter in need of feedback about your work? We are pleased to offer a series of six bi-weekly critique sessions starting Monday March 2 - June 22. Each session will consist of 2 hours (2-4pm) and involve group critique with a professional painter, Jeroen Witvliet. Jeroen will discuss formal and conceptual concerns as well as issues around preparing a body of work for the purpose of an exhibition. You will leave these sessions with a strong sense of direction and an ability to critique your own work in a meaningful and in-depth manner.

VISA students: You will receive 12 credit hours for this course.

Critique facilitator: Jeroen Witvliet

For more info or to register

VISA Turns 10 Founders Exhibition continues until February 16. Please consider coming while you have a chance.

Video: Panel Discussion, January 17