topic Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA" in Community Chat

VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

Oznell — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:43:58 GMT

The history of some Old Masters' paintings is so interesting. "Saint Rufina" or "Santa Rufina" by Spanish artist Diego Velazquez was sold in the 21st century for 17 million dollars, after being out of sight in a private collection, I believe, for over 50 years.

Isn't it an arresting portrait?

I guess it isn't technically a portrait, at least not of Saint Rufina, since Velazquez used his 12 or 13 year old daughter as the model! But there's something about it. What a charming child to be so pensive, almost as if she were contemplating her future martyrdom-- apparently Rufina was martyred for refusing to acknowledge a pagan goddess. The painting was done in the early 1630's.

Velazquez is such a genius. I love the way he uses light here.

Portrait up for auction at Sotheby's:

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

candyagain — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:55:44 GMT

It is an intriguing portrait. I don't remember ever seeing it, so thank you for the glimpse. I love the old masters.

I'd snap it up in an instant but my mortgage payment is due tomorrow......

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:58:56 GMT

Im certainly not a Old Masters painting lover. To me this picture is of a kid holding empty dishes and a huge feather and thats it.

And I think Rembrandt paintings looks like he sufferd from tremors, and I wont even go into Van Gogh!

Im glad you enjoy it and can see quality in it.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

blackhole99 — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 19:09:59 GMT

I certainly can appreciate the painting and what kind talent it took to paint something like that, but that's where it ends.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

cherry — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 20:19:48 GMT

I like it a lot. She and her sister were potters, and they died a martyrs death ,for refusing to denounce their faith. I think they might have met their deaths in Seville

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

tipsy — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 20:32:22 GMT

It looks like she's holding a palm frond, not a feather. Objects in paintings back then always symbolized something. So the frond & empty dishes mean something, I just don't know what.

I learned a little bit about Velazquez in an Art History class years ago. He was the official court painter for king Philip of Spain. They used dwarfs & handicapped people as entertainment, & there are paintings of them that Velasquez painted. Some of his paintings feel very sad, as he was able to capture the emotions of his subjects.

Thank you for sharing this @Oznell

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

cherry — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 20:39:05 GMT

I would love to hear Sister Wendy interpret this painting. I use to love her program. She was from the UK and went to famous art galleries to tell the viewers what the painting depicted

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

godi — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 20:51:37 GMT

It is a stunning picture, so many questions.. what's with the switch and the plates and cups. Is the switch to sweep after she cleared the table? The colors and shading are stunning.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

cherry — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 20:54:28 GMT

@godi I am pretty sure that is a palm frond. I think it symbolizes victory over death think of Palm Sunday)..She was a potter so the bowls show her trade

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

FancyPhillyshopper — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 20:59:50 GMT

One of my favorite of Velazquez' paintings and one of the most famous is Las Meninas.

When I saw this in person at the Prado, I was so happy! The painting is a masterpiece!

I even collected a few Lladro statues that wear similar dresses.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

tipsy — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 21:54:35 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

One of my favorite of Velazquez' paintings and one of the most famous is Las Meninas.

When I saw this in person at the Prado, I was so happy! The painting is a masterpiece!
I even collected a few Lladro statues that wear similar dresses.

Yes, this is his most famous painting. He included himself in it, he is the painter on the left!

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

tipsy — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 21:56:23 GMT

@cherry yes, I remember Sister Wendy! Her interpretation would be fascinating to hear!

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

Lake4 — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 22:01:51 GMT

I agree, it is an interesting portrait! I studied art history in college, so I, like you, are drawn to the art from long ago.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

Oznell — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 23:22:13 GMT

Thanks so much for input. I love hearing you art-lovers' reactions to, and fascinating knowledge about, Velazquez's painting!

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

godi — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 23:39:59 GMT

@cherry How interesting, thanks for the background. I was way off. 🤣🤣🤣. It is a beautiful painting.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

Lindsays Grandma — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 00:43:37 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

One of my favorite of Velazquez' paintings and one of the most famous is Las Meninas.

When I saw this in person at the Prado, I was so happy! The painting is a masterpiece!
I even collected a few Lladro statues that wear similar dresses.

Stunning painting. There are so many subjects in this one painting, Velazquez truly was one of the finest artists of his time. How lucky you were to find a Llardo statue with similar clothing from the painting.

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

shoekitty — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:14:44 GMT

Why does she have two bowls. I tried looking it up, but cant find out the symbolism Sym BOWL ism. Lol

anyway,the subject and her sister were both decapitated for refusing to accept Venus. Could the bowls symbolize her and her sister?. Bugs me. I need Sister Wendy at times like these. Rest her soul

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

ScarletDove — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:28:57 GMT

@Oznell Thank you for posting this beautiful painting....I do love the old masters paintings and appreciate their exceptional talent. I used to love going downtown to the Smithsonian Museum of Art to see all the art and just sit and drink in all the beauty and talent...magnificent place!

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

Oznell — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:49:56 GMT

"Drinking in" is exactly how I feel too, when confronted with such beauty, @ScarletDove.. Living near the Smithsonian must have been such a treat!

Re: VELAZQUEZ' PAINTING "SAINT RUFINA"

tipsy — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 02:25:12 GMT

@shoekitty wrote:
Why does she have two bowls. I tried looking it up, but cant find out the symbolism Sym BOWL ism. Lol

anyway,the subject and her sister were both decapitated for refusing to accept Venus. Could the bowls symbolize her and her sister?. Bugs me. I need Sister Wendy at times like these. Rest her soul

There are other paintings of her & her sister by other artists, & they show them with the pots/bowls & palm fronds. The only thing I could find was that the pots are because they were potters & the palm is the palm of martydom...as @cherry mentioned earlier.