Since it's discovery, purple is a hue that has been steeped in symbolism and connection with wealth, power and status. This is certainly due to the fact that the dye itself was originally available from one source only in all the world: the secretions of the sea snail Murex Brandaris and so was incredibly rare and costly to produce. Minoans on the island of Crete were likely the first to discover purple. The ancients especially favored the shade known as Tyrian Purple, so called because it was made in the city of Tyre.
We have a pretty good idea what Tyrian Purple looked like, thanks to the brilliant mosaic artists of the time. Here is a famous portrait of the Emporer Justinian I from the Church of Saint Vitale in Ravenna, Italy.
Justinian I (6th c., A.D.)
Perhaps the greatest French painter and illuminator of the 15th century, Jean Fouquet, portrayed Mary and Jesus in this simple but powerful image as the fronticepiece of a Book of Hours. Using tempera and gold paint, he conveys the tenderness and youth of the Virgin, clothed in regal, powerful purple. This little jewel of a painting is only about 5 x 4 inches.
The Virgin and Child Enthroned (c. 1450), Jean Fouquet
The Scottish painter and illustrator, Frances MacNair,depicted Shakespeare's doomed heroine, Ophelia, in this ethereal watercolor. MacNair utilized shades of purple to great affect in many of her works. I love the sense of youthful tragedy it conveys in this scene, in which Ophelia drowns.
Ophelia (1898), Frances MacNair
Purple translates an entirely different story in this work by Burne-Jones - it helps to let us know that his subject is respected, authoritative and sober. Burne-Jones loved to juxtapose areas of deep shadows with glowing light in his draperies, and I feel that this example does that so beautifully.
The Sibyl (1877), Edward Burne-Jones
Monet's cool, vaporous purples are used here to show a sense of misty disorientation. The water diffuses into the air which melts into the sky, blurring the definitions of the surrounding trees. For me, this is almost gothic-impressionist in overall feel.
The Seine at Giverny, Morning Mists (1897), Claude Monet
Ever the romantic, Hughes drapes a Valkyrie in a gorgeous shade of indigo as she prepares to choose a warrior for death in the battle below. Unlike most accounts of Valkyrie, Hughes depicts her as a gentle maiden, which isn't quite in keeping with Norse mythology, but we can forgive him because this painting is so beautiful.
The Valkyrie's Vigil (1906), Edward Robert Hughes
Purple is used here by Waterhouse as a symbol of sacred spirituality and enlightenment, as the Angel Gabriel presents the lily of chastity and virtue to Mary. Even his wings are a deep, saturated purple, which I find the most startling and wonderful thing about this work.
The Anunciation (1914), John William Waterhouse
Purple in fashion is a statement color. Here is Jeanne Lanvin's spectacular evening dress from the 30's in bias-cut satin, machine-sewn and made in Paris.
Evening Dress (1935), Jeanne Lanvin
I love Sargent's watercolors, because he captured light in such amazing, interesting, quirky ways. Sargent used purple on the water in this landscape to show a sense of freshness, and also to experiment with the way light affected color. There is also a wonderful hint of Cubism here.
Rushing Brook (1905), John Singer Sargent
No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) (1951), Mark Rothko
2 comments:
Fascinating as always Mary. Superb Work! In parts of Africa, the Middle East and India, they still make Tyrian Purple from shellfish using the same methods from Antiquity.
Oh I love me some purple.
:o)
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