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September 28, 2023

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

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Arts Arts Notes

Margaret Enloe-North Becomes Interim Executive Director of Chesapeake Music.

September 28, 2023 by Chesapeake Music
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In early September, career nonprofit professional and consultant Margaret Enloe-North assumed the leadership at one of Talbot County’s premiere organizations for bringing amazing artists and performances to the Mid-Shore.

“We are very pleased to welcome Margaret as part of the Chesapeake Music team!” says Board President Barry Koh. “I know that her nonprofit experience will prove to be invaluable as we move forward and ultimately search for a new, permanent Executive Director in the spring.”

Enloe-North has spent her 30-year career entirely in the nonprofit sector.  Having launched her new business, the Firebird Coaching & Consulting in 2021, she now serves as a coach for individual clients and small businesses and provides nonprofit clients with expert support in the areas of leadership, master planning, strategic communications, programming and fundraising.

“I really love serving as an Interim ED for organizations that are doing great work! My role allows a Board of Directors the opportunity to deeply reflect on the organization’s future while also knowing that daily operations will continue to work smoothly,” explains Enloe-North. “And I am really looking forward to working alongside the Board as we envision and lead Chesapeake Music into a new era. I have always appreciated both jazz and classical music and am delighted to help them bring renowned and up-and-coming musicians to the Mid-Shore that delight and surprise our audiences.”

Based in Easton, Maryland, Chesapeake Music is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring renowned jazz and classical musicians to delight, engage and surprise today’s audiences, and educate, inspire, and develop tomorrow’s. They have been doing it for more than 35 years! To learn more about Chesapeake Music or to purchase tickets to this concert, visit their website at https://chesapeakemusic.org/.

 

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Filed Under: Arts Notes

Design with Jenn Martella: The Smith-Ringgold House

September 27, 2023 by Jennifer Martella
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It takes a special person to undertake an extensive restoration/renovation of a historic home. Add the fact that this house and the prominent families who have called this very special house a home are interwoven into Kent County’s history since 1792, when this property was included in the first plat of Chestertown. This might have proven daunting to some owners but this house was lucky to have had many owners over many years who fell under its spell. 

The first owner of the property ran a ferry across the Chester River to Kingstown. In 1759, new owners acquired the property and built the front portion of the house at the corner of the property. The two and a half story house with a basement was three bays wide and one room deep. The exposed foundation walls were stone and the original basement windows are now infilled with brick. The brick facades were laid in the Flemish bond pattern with a molded water table and curved segmented arches over the large windows. Brick cruciform chimneys rose above each gable end wall. The front door was surrounded with pilasters and an entablature that is enhanced with decorative brackets to match the eave brackets. The white trim and black shutters complete the classic exterior palette. The floor plan layout was a center hall with parlors at each side, two rooms on the second floor and a separate frame kitchen wing. 

From the 18th through the 21st centuries, subsequent owners left their individual mark by building additions, renovating and/or restoring the architecture, interiors and landscape. One owner built the waterside addition that extended the center hall and added two additional rooms on both floors. The landscape was altered by filling in a cove and terracing the lawn down to the water. (This design foresight helped protect the property from flooding during Hurricane Isabel). 

After purchasing the property in 1860, another owner made substantial changes to the architecture and interiors. The frame kitchen wing was replaced with a brick structure, porches were built around most of the house, and the brick was covered with stucco and painted white. Steps led down from the porch to the street.

The interior wall of one of the front parlors and the original staircase were removed to make room for a more elaborate staircase to create a spacious reception room. Another focal point of the room is the fireplace with its curved wall that blends into the plaster ceiling. I admired how the white of the fireplace surround stands out against the deep aqua walls. Throughout the house, the woodwork dates from both 18th and 19th century designs and all mantels are original to its period.

The other original parlor is a delightful light filled corner room with large 9/6 windows on both exterior walls. 

Two other owners made changes; one added the detached one story brick garage and another owner removed the porches. In 1973, new owners bought the property and turned their attention to the interiors. They made extensive renovations that created three bedroom ensuites on the second floor. The waterside primary suite’s bedroom has three windows for views of the Chester River and a fireplace.

The primary bath has wood floors, a period free-standing lavatory and a tub/shower. 

Additional interior renovations included the Owners’ commissioning local artist Jack Schroeder to create a mural that encircles the dining room and illustrates “Rose Hill”, a historic home north of Chestertown.

Thankfully, the Owners also removed the stucco and whitewash to expose the original brick facades.  

The current Owners assumed their stewardship in 2012 and undertook a two-year restoration of the house. They wisely began by verifying the structural integrity of the basement foundations and replacing the roof. They upgraded the systems with central AC and replaced the oil furnace with propane. Two of the houses I have called home had radiator heat so I was pleased to see that radiators remained in this house. The Owners also opened up the kitchen area and transformed this space with new cabinetry whose color matched the original tongue and groove paneling in the room, new black soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances and sleek contemporary cabinet hardware. I especially liked the view from the kitchen’s farmhouse sink and how the stove is inset into the wall behind the fireplace in the adjacent dining room. A second set of stairs leads to the second floor that contains a full laundry and creates another entrance to a guest room and bath. During the renovation, the attic’s finished ceilings were removed to expose the original collar beams.  Surprisingly, portions of the original wood shake roofing also emerged and the Owners left the roofing exposed as an accent.

 

The Owners also retained architect Peter Newlin, FAIA, Ret., to design a breakfast room and an open porch that spans across the rear wall of the kitchen-dining room wing. 

 

Newlin designed another covered porch off the side wall of the breakfast room with steps down to the driveway and garage. The color palette of light yellow siding and green metal roof complements the original architecture.

The current rear elevation shows how the house evolved over four centuries of restorations and renovations to the architecture, interiors and landscape. 

The property also has a detached garage and a brick driveway for additional on-site parking. The garage could also become a studio, sports room, media room, etc. Bravo to the current Owners for their dedication to the preservation of this exquisite property! The Smith-Ringgold House is now move-in ready for the next steward of this treasure to save it for generations to come.

For more information about this property, Nancy McDonald McGuire, who helped sponsor this article, at Maryland Heritage Properties , 410-778-9319 (o) ,443-480-7342 (c), or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.marylandheritageproperties.com/home , “Equal Housing Opportunity.” 

Photographs by the author who was indebted to Ms. McGuire for sharing her extensive research about this historic property.

Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a referral agent for Meredith Fine Properties. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

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Filed Under: Design with Jenn Martella, Spy Highlights

Don Buxton Retires as Executive Director of Chesapeake Music

September 26, 2023 by Chesapeake Music
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In 1985, a dedicated group of chamber music lovers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore was approached by the late Ralph Bloom to establish what was initially called the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival. Assisted that year by clarinetist J. Lawrie Bloom and later by cellist Marcie Rosen, Artistic Directors, Donald Buxton of Royal Oak became the organization’s founding Executive Director. The festival continued to blossom over the next 38 years under their leadership. In August, Buxton retired from Chesapeake Music, the Festival’s parent organization, leaving a musical legacy he hadn’t dreamed could happen.

Buxton, a Juilliard graduate, first helped found the Talbot Chamber Orchestra, which did concerts at the Talbot County Historical Society Auditorium. He served as Associate Conductor of the orchestra and he and his wife Merideth played with the orchestra. Over the years, he was also conductor of the Dover Symphony and along with others founded the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and served as its conductor.

“The personal journey to make the arts important in Talbot County was a journey of love and necessity. When Meredith and I moved here in 1982, there was not a lot happening in the arts. I felt there needed to be a robust arts community in Easton and the surrounding area. Building that legacy has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” stated Buxton.

Over the years, the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival grew into a two-week event in early June, including concerts, recitals, and open rehearsals in venues ranging from concert halls to churches, museums, and waterfront estates across the Mid-Shore. The organization was one of the first organizations to do concerts in the renovated Avalon space and Buxton helped Ellen General become the Avalon’s first executive director while also serving on its board.

In 2002, the organization expanded its operation to include the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition, a competition for young emerging chamber music ensembles. In 2004, the first biennial Competition became international in scope, drawing from international conservatories. Concerts between the annual Festivals joined the programming mix in 2004. In 2006, the organization was approached by musician Merideth Buxton, Don’s wife, who made a presentation about an outreach program that became the First Strings Program. The program helped elementary school students in third or fourth grade to improve listening, gain self-confidence in performing, use teamwork to exhibit cooperation and self-control, and have fun while learning the skills needed to play the violin. In 2006, Chesapeake Music’s YouthReach program was developed as a response to an ongoing nationwide decline of funding and lack of prioritization for music education, bringing musicians into the schools for live and virtual work with students.

In July 2008, Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival became Chesapeake Chamber Music, Inc., to better reflect the organization’s geographic location and scope near the Chesapeake Bay. In 2009, Chesapeake Chamber Music offered a single concert featuring the renowned jazz pianist Monty Alexander, creating the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend. Chesapeake Music soon added its Interlude concerts which feature chamber music stars of the next generation and jazz greats. The organization’s move in 2021 to the Ebenezer Theater enabled Chesapeake Music to acquire its own 9-foot Steinway Concert Grand piano something the festival musicians wanted for many years. At the Ebenezer Theater, Chesapeake Music now had an opportunity for year-round programming.

Running such an ambitious music program over the years with only a part-time staff has had its challenges. According to Buxton, “It took a village to run an organization this large – in particular a volunteer cadre of 150 people. In addition, I relied on a dedicated board of 19 members with diverse professional backgrounds, who brought energy, talent, and treasure to the organization.”

Don added, “Chesapeake Chamber Music is a much broader organization today because it has continued to grow and evolve strategically while bringing renowned musicians to delight, engage, and surprise today’s audiences and educate, inspire, and develop tomorrow’s.”

Barry Koh, President of Chesapeake Music, reflected on Don’s impact and said, “Chesapeake Music will continue to grow in its offerings of fine music and musicians thanks in large measure to Don having built a robust arts appreciation in our mid-shore community.”

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Filed Under: Arts Lead, Arts Portal Lead

Tred Avon Players presents THE FANTASTICKS in October

September 26, 2023 by Spy Desk
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September 25, 2023 – Tred Avon Players presents THE FANTASTICKS, a charming and romantic musical about a boy, a girl and their two mothers who try to keep them apart. Music by Harvey Schmid, book and lyrics by Tom Jones and directed by David Cherry, this classic musical runs October 26-November 5 at the Oxford Community Center.

 

The longest-running musical in the world, THE FANTASTICKS is a timeless fable of love that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time. It’s a moving tale of young lovers who become disillusioned, only to discover a more mature, meaningful love. Their story is punctuated by a bountiful of catchy, memorable songs, many of which have become classics.

 

“Songs like Try to Remember are classics most everyone will recognize,” says Director David Cherry. “Don’t be surprised if you hum them on your way home from the show.”

 

You won’t want to miss an outstanding performance by a talented cast of vocalists and actors: Ed Langrell (El Gallo), Lucy Pearce (Luisa), Connor Christopher (Matt), Maureen Curtain (Bellomy), Jane Copple (Hucklebee), Herb Ziegler (Henry), Bill Gross (Mortimer) and Jaclyn Royer (the Mute).

 

THE FANTASTICKS opens on Thursday, October 26 and runs for seven performances through Sunday, November 5. Thrifty Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons are at 2:00 p.m. at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Rd in Oxford. Tickets are adults $25 / students $15 (no fee added.) Thrifty Thursday (October 26) and Sunday matinees sell out quickly! Purchase your tickets at www.tredavonplayers.org.

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Filed Under: Arts Notes

CFF Spotlight: Karen Carpenter Starving for Perfection with Randy Schmidt

September 24, 2023 by Henley Moore
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She was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder during an era when the vastly misunderstood phenomenon brought shame and public humiliation.

For the first time, we hear Karen Carpenter’s personal struggle in her own voice through never-before-released recordings—and through the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music.

As the #1 American musical act of the 1970s, the Carpenters were on “Top of the World,” producing a string of pop masterpieces, including “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” But behind closed doors, Karen’s quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa, which resulted in her untimely death at the age of only 32.

The Spy talked to producer Randy Schmidt about his film a few weeks ago.

The LIVE Festival kicks off on September 30 at the historic Avalon Theatre, followed by a second day at The Ebenezer Theater on October 1. The festival will also feature a 7-day Virtual Festival from October 2 to October 8, showcasing 37 outstanding documentaries, narrative films, and animations. Plan your visit and buy tickets today at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com  

This video is approximately five minutes in length. To attend the world premiere please find tickets and more information here.

 

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Filed Under: Arts Lead, Arts Portal Lead

Oxford Community Center for October

September 24, 2023 by Oxford Community Center
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Dr. Rachel Franklin

OCTOBER 2023

October 6, 2023, 7pm – Dr. Rachel Franklin Music in Movies evening

The OCC welcomes world-renowned pianist and engaging lecturer Dr. Rachel Franklin for a magical evening exploring music in film. With fascinating movie clips, witty commentary, and virtuosic piano illustrations, the British-born Franklin delves into the hidden magic behind some of cinema’s greatest scores. Audiences will learn about legendary composers like Bernard Herrmann, John Williams, and Rachel Portman, and enjoy iconic music from Psycho, Jaws, and more. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at oxfordcc.org/rachel-franklin. Cash bar and snacks.

October 7, 2023, 8:30-10:30am – Cars & Coffee

Enjoy your coffee amongst amazing cars and learn their stories. 

October 12, 2023, 5:30pm – Matt Pluta Talk

As Choptank Riverkeeper and Director of Riverkeeper Programs, Matt Pluta is dedicated to safeguarding the long-term health of local rivers, guarding against illegal and harmful pollution, and building a stronger voice for the protection of the river’s natural resources. Matt’s talk will focus on the Choptank and Tred Avon Rivers.  He’ll address the results of their water quality testing; updates on recent agricultural, urban, and oyster restoration efforts; goals and metrics for underwater grasses, bacteria pollution, and sediment levels; and much more! Free, cash bar and snacks.

October 21, 2023, 8am – 5K Run/Walk for Mental Health

Come join us at the Oxford Community Center as we partner with the Christopher Foundation for Life to put on our 3rd Annual 5k Run and 1-Mile Walk for Mental Health. The Run/ Walk helps raise money for the Eastern Shore mental health programs.  The Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, October 21st.  Come out to support Mental Health awareness and get a little exercise and fresh air at the same time! Register online at https://runsignup.com/occ5kformentalhealth

October 21, 2023, 6-11pm – Annual Fall Fundraiser – The Harvest Moon Dance 

Join us for our fall fundraiser, the Harvest Moon Dance on October 21, 2023 6pm-11pm. This event is sure to entertain and delight! Blue Jeans and Bling! Dinner catered by The Ivy and dancing all night sprinkled with line-dancing and a DJ too! Tickets are $85 per person ($65 is tax deductible) and includes full buffet dinner, dessert and open bar. Tickets can be purchased online at oxfordcc.org/harvest-moon-dance. Seating is limited, get tickets today!

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Filed Under: Arts Notes

Delmarva Review: Second Language by Carol Alexander 

September 23, 2023 by Delmarva Review
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Author’s Note: “During the first year of the pandemic, with its horrifying death toll, life became local and confined. Yet my sense of the world and its accents had never been sharper. With borders closing and distrust mounting, language felt increasingly significant, a means of maintaining our humanity. All the words that have come to us from elsewhere were like pebbles found on the beach, solid and resonant, the mind, as always, left to sort and array them.”

Second Language

Harder to net foreign words, those slippery verbs
lacy adjectives, mulish nouns. Cognate to the old
but more porous, the child busily acquiring. Yet
we easily recall Arno, Danube, Limpopo, Yangtze.
Passport safe in a drawer, pandemic borders closed.
When my daughter asked how I lived with my fears
I couldn’t answer her. Unglamorous angst—
in any tongue so burdensome. Each day brings more
so that rain isn’t a mere slick of wetness on the cheek
but flooded bridges, farms; it is corpse and tod.
After all, here’s a syntax, a web, declarative system
by which we point and name. On the beach
lies a welter awaiting some coherence of the mind
or not waiting, in fact, the sea’s breathy vowels
opening, closing, a nudibranch pocketing its own gills.
Voices spill from tour boats to the pebbled shore
and the waves translate: copper, haze, restless tide.

⧫

In addition to the Delmarva Review, Carol Alexander’s poems have appeared or are forthcoming in The American Journal of Poetry, About Place Journal, The Common, Denver Quarterly, One, Ruminate, Southern Humanities Review, Terrain.org, Third Wednesday, Free State Review, Matter, Potomac Review, Verdad, and TheWestchester Review. Her most recent collection is Fever and Bone. She co-edited Stronger Than Fear: Poems of Empowerment, Compassion, and Social Justice (Cave Moon Press, 2022). Alexander lives in New York.

Delmarva Review publishes compelling new poetry, short stories, and nonfiction prose selected from thousands of submissions annually. Located in St. Michaels, MD, the literary journal has featured the new writing of more than 500 authors worldwide during its 15-year history. About half are from the Chesapeake and Delmarva region. The journal is available in paperback and digital editions from Amazon.com and other booksellers. Support comes from tax-deductible contributions and a grant from Talbot Arts with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council. Website: www.DelmarvaReview.org

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Filed Under: Delmarva Review, Top Story

Chesapeake Lens: MSC Vittoria by David Sites

September 23, 2023 by Chesapeake Lens
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The Chesapeake Bay is a busy highway with marine traffic coming from and going to ports around the world. “MSC Vittoria” by David Sites.

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Filed Under: Chesapeake Lens, Top Story

Massoni Opens Grace Mitchell Exhibition September 21

September 21, 2023 by MassoniArt
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A powerful look from Grace’s perspective on stewardship and the protection of the watershed. New work and favorites from her previous collections will be on exhibit at the High Street gallery from September 21 – October 19.

Gallery artist Grace Mitchell lives and works in the Hudson River Valley. Using traditional oil painting techniques, she makes luminous, romantic paintings of natural places. She works to create a contemporary response to the accelerating deterioration in natural systems worldwide and the fundamental human need for connection to the natural world.

In her current exhibit, her paintings explore the marsh as a liminal space. “Marshes are fertile, full of life and potential, breeding grounds. There’s a beauty and a mysterious quality there which has inspired painters and poets over time but has often also inspired a vague sense of portent in humans who looked askance at these liminal spaces, calling them dank, dismal, unhealthy, haunted, wasteland.” she writes.

Former Washington Post art critic, Mary McCoy recently penned an essay on the exhibit. ““Watershed” is an inspired title for this show and carries a double meaning. Every mountain, forest, marsh and sea that Grace Mitchell paints is part of a watershed.” says McCoy. “There is no longer any doubt that climate change is happening and happening fast thanks to our continuing use of fossil fuels. Where we go from here is our collective choice.” 

In her interview with Mitchell, McCoy delves deeper into the message of her work. “Most of my work has an implied message, that of interdependence in the natural world and threats to that and to the future of life on earth. The future prospects of sustainability depend, in part at least, upon comprehending these relationships and adapting human behavior to them.” says Mitchell.

Visitors are encouraged to read the thoughtful essay and engaging interview when they visit the gallery. Copies will be available at the gallery to take with you as well as on the exhibit page of the MassoniArt website (www.massoniart.com/mccoyinterview)

 Watershed …a retrospective will be on exhibit in the 203 High Street gallery.  Hours at both the High Street and Cross Street galleries are Thursday, Friday – 11-4; Saturday 10-5. In addition, the Cross Street gallery is open Sunday 12-3. Private appointments may be scheduled at any time by contacting Carla Massoni. 410-708-4512 

For additional information please visit www.massoniart.com.

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Filed Under: Arts Notes

Looking at the Masters: Asters and Ravens

September 21, 2023 by Beverly Hall Smith
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“Bouquet of Asters” (1859)

If you were born in the month of September, your birth flower is the aster. Its name is derived from the Greek word for star because the bloom is star-shaped. The virgin goddess Astraea believed there were not enough stars in the sky. She wept, and asters sprouted where her tears fell. Asters are symbolic of love, justice, innocence, wisdom, and faith, and they were used, to decorate altars to the gods. References to Astraea can be found in the works of Shakespeare, Dryden, Milton, and Browning, and the American author Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ovid (8 CE) tells the story that Astraea abandoned Earth during the Iron Age because of the wickedness of the people, and she ascended into heaven as the constellation Virgo. Thus, asters are an illustrious flower.  

“Bouquet of Asters” (1859) (18.5”x24”) was painted by the French artist Gustave Courbet (1819-1877), who is credited with starting the Realist movement. In 1851, Courbet exhibited two very large paintings. One “The Burial at Ornans” (10’4’’x 21’8’’) depicted the funeral of a common person on a dark and dreary day. Its subject and size scandalized the art viewing public. This lower-class subject was his initial foray into Realism. His interest in painting flowers was caused by a brief visit to his friend’s estate where he encountered extensive gardens and a greenhouse. Enchanted by the flowers, he painted several works during his visit. In this casual bouquet, Courbet has included asters of all colors: pink, red, white, lilac, and mauve. Although he was not thinking about the meaning of the different colors, as did the Victorians, he included several white and pink asters to center the composition. White and pink represent innocence, purity, and love. The red asters represent passion and love. The purple asters represent admiration and dignity, and the lilac asters represent faithfulness. 

Courbet included several other flowers, knowing that they did not all bloom at the same time but added variety of shape and color. The realist in his nature did not permit him to place the flowers in a fancy setting. A common clay jug and simple dish that could be found in homes of the common people are arrangement on a well-worn wooden table. One of Courbet’s unique painting techniques was to use a palette knife to apply the paint, adding a rough texture to the work. He used the palette knife to create some of the petals of the yellow and orange flowers, the clay jug, and the table.

“Asters” (1880)

“Asters” (1880) by Claude Monet illustrates the contrast in style between Courbet’s Realism and Monet’s Impressionism. Monet’s brushwork is obvious in each of the petals. The star shape is apparent, but the specific colors of the asters dissolve into a riotous profusion of dashes of yellow, purple, orange, blue, red, and green. The Impressionists preferred the colors of the rainbow. Monet has also included white and black in the bouquet. In Impressionistic fashion, he also created the wall behind the flowers with the same colors rather than the black background of Courbet’s work. Monet’s vase, also created using the same color palette, appears to be porcelain, and the wooden table has been given a very polished surface and decorative rounded edge.

“Elijah Fed by Ravens” (early 20th Century)

If you were born between September 22 and October 22, your Native American animal totem is the raven, a symbol of intelligence, foresight, a bearer of magic, and a messenger.  Throughout history ravens have held a special place in religion and myth. In the Old Testament there are eleven mentions of the raven, the first in Genesis 8:7 when Moses sent a raven to see if the flood waters had receded. The raven went out and came back several times until it did not return because it found land. “Elijah Fed by Ravens” (early 20th Century) (26’’x16’’) (SAAM) depicts the story in Kings 17:2-6:  God sent ravens to feed Elijah while he was hiding in the desert from the evil king. In this carved wood panel, two black ravens supply Elijah with bread and meat. This work falls into the vague category of folk or primitive art created by an untrained artist. The work has simple shapes, a unique interpretation of trees, and like all folk or primitive art, touches that intangible experience that speaks to viewers. 

Ravens hold a major place in Norse mythology. “Odin Enthroned and Flanked by His Ravens Huginn and Muninn” (1882) is an illustration for the 13th Century Poetic Edda, the first written version of the Norse saga. Carl Emil Doepler (1824-1905), a German illustrator, painter, and costume designer, illustrated episodes for the Prose Edda in 1882. The entire title is Odin enthroned holding his spear Gungnir, and wolves Geri and Freki flanked by his ravens Huginn and Muginn. Odin is the one-eyed All-Father of Norse legend who sacrificed one eye in order to be able to see everything that occurs in the world. Odin made the ravens Huginn (old Norse for thought), and Muginn (old Norse for memory) his messengers. He gave them the ability to fly over the world quickly, to understand any language they heard, and to return to him as messengers. The ravens were considered intelligent, and they gave excellent advice and represented a source of power. In battle, ravens feeding on dead warriors was considered a sacrifice to Odin and a means to enter Valhalla. Odin also was known as “the raven god.”

Carl Emil Doepler created the costumes for the premier presentation of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Bayreuth Festival in 1876. The festival was Wagner’s idea; he wanted it to be in a small town where the viewers could concentrate more on the opera than anything else.  The keystone was laid on May 22, 1872, Wagner’s 59th birthday. The opening performances of The Ring took place from August 13 to 17, 1876.

“The Raven and the First Men” (1980)

In the Native American Haida culture, the story of Raven starts with the beginning of humankind. Raven was alone, but one day on Rose Spit beach, on Haida Gwaii, Ravan found an extraordinarily large clamshell with noise coming from inside it. Several small creatures were trying to emerge from the shell. Raven encouraged them to come out and to see the world. After a bit of time, overcome by curiosity, they came out of the partly opened clamshell and became the Haida men. After that, Raven helped the Haida to find fresh water, salmon, and to build fish traps. He also found small chiton shells (a marine mollusk), which he opened to find small women inside. After he introduced them to the men, they followed the normal path of life. Raven was never lonely again.

“The Raven and the First Men” (1980) was carved by Canadian Bill Reid (1920-1998).  His mother was descended from the Tanuu, Haida Gwai, and his father was American. Reid’s Haida name was Yaahl Sqwansung, The Only Raven. Reid was a multitalented artist, writer, and broadcaster, who fully turned to creating art in1952, adapting Haida designs. In 1973, Vancouver industrialist Walter Koerner commissioned Reid to make a large version of his “The Raven and the First Men.” The sculpture is carved from a laminated yellow cedar block (6’2’’x6’4”) that took over a year to properly combine and dry for carving. Reid and his assistants began to carve the block in the fall of 1978. It was unveiled and dedicated on April 1, 1980, by Prince Charles. The Bank of Canada issued a $20 bank note depicting “The Raven and the First Men” (September, 2004) as part of the Canadian Journey series to recognize and celebrate Canada’s history, culture, and achievements. Reid is considered to be one of the most significant Canadian artists of the 20th Century.

Ravens are thought to be intelligent and resourceful by all cultures. They are also considered tricksters who can be harmless, heroic, cruel, or selfish. Charles Dickens had many household pets, three of which were ravens, all named Grip. The ravens pecked at his children and pets and stole their food. A raven named Grip is a main character in Dickens’s Barnaby Rudge.  Ravens lived in the Tower of London in England, one of them named Grip. The legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the kingdom and the Tower will fall. One of Grimm’s fairytales is titled The Seven Ravens.  Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter poses the question at the tea party, “Why is a raven like a writing-desk?” Paul Gauguin titled a painting “Nevermore” (1897) that depicted a dreaming woman watched over by a raven.

“Once upon a midnight dreary”

Finally, a Maryland contribution: Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” (1845) has been illustrated many times. French artist Gustave Dore created between 20 and 30 drawings for the publication of The Raven just before his death in January 1883. The drawings were turned over to Harper and Brothers in New York City, and 14 master engravers translated the drawings onto steel plates. The 10,000 copies with 26 engravings each were advertised as a Harper and Collins Christmas gift book costing $10. Dore’s work received high praise and Poe’s poem sold exceedingly well.

After a competition to name a football team and after more than 100 names were entered, a football team was named the Ravens in 1996 after the famous Baltimore poet’s poem.

Note: Looking at the Masters writer will be on vacation next week.

Beverly Hall Smith was a professor of art history for 40 years.  Since retiring with her husband Kurt to Chestertown in 2014, she has taught art history classes at WC-ALL. She is also an artist whose work is sometimes in exhibitions at Chestertown RiverArts and she paints sets for the Garfield Center for the Arts.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Arts Lead, Arts Portal Lead, Looking at the Masters

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