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Virtue
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Title |
Virtue |
Size |
32.3 x 26.5 cm |
Date Published |
1984 |
Reference |
Norman Lindsay Etchings: Catalogue
Raisonné (Odana
Editions and Josef Lebovic Gallery, 1999, cat.227) |
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Hugh McCrae associated Virtue with
Keats: Virtue, without any doubt, is the most wonderfully beautiful picture
I have ever seen. Essentially a poet's vision; I cannot imagine
any dream-translation approaching so closely the actual adventure
of the mind. The nearest earthly achievement would perhaps be allowed
to John Keats whose spirit I think must have rejoiced at the begetting
and birth of his loveliest creation. It is of our other world. "Immortal
subject for immortal eyes." The spade-fingered mechanics of
art will be so blinded by its heavenly fire as that they shall
not even dare to utter their accustomed blasphemies. Somewhere
I read the other day
Sous leurs heureuses main le cuivre devient or; Under
their happy hands copper became gold. And gold, through
you, shall grow to fire and flesh and air! Where did you find this teasing devil's provocative mouth, the eye
which spells abstinence, yet has for its meaning double-lust ...
body-pleasure fanned to a flame by "Thou shalt not" ...?
The hanging flowers and flowers ascendant, symbols of the fortune
of love, are full of mysterious intention; and the Venus-birds, revolving
pearls of light under their wings, fill the woods with echoes of
amorous happiness. |
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