Sunday, February 21, 2010

Yay or Nay? David Garrick

Another Yay it was for Mrs. William Moseley, but then again that should be expected since it is a rarity to find someone who doesn't enjoy a good riding habit! Still, enough of this girly-wear, we have been without a male model for some time. Let's get things more masculine while still keeping it simple.


Thomas Gainsborough paints a young David Garrick (1742) in fawn and ivory with simple embroidered details, a high neck, and extra large coat cuffs to show off some sleeve flounce. Yay or Nay?

[Private Collection]

27 comments:

  1. I love Garrick, and I love Gainsborough, but this portrait just seems gross to me. What do you think?

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  2. I give it a nay, the proportions in the portrait make him look simply weird.

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  3. I am going to go with Nay. It just looks odd. I agree with Dolly, the proportions are off. It's is a very bland piece.

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  4. I agree. He looks very strange but I think that it's the pose - not the clothes.

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  5. This looks like an outfit made of good pieces, but worn by someone without taste or flair. Nay

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  6. Also, I left you a blog award, just in case you are interested:

    http://thedreamstress.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-awards-goods-and-bads.html

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  7. Nay I think. His cheeks are really rosy, looks a bit drunk! I do like seeing pictures of Garrick though.

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  8. Nay - Garrick's pose, and the vantage point of the painting, give a weird sheen. Sorry to both Gainsborough and Garrick.

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  9. He looks rather like a pear here.

    Nay.

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  10. yes, i think it is the pear shape that has us all a little disconcerted - something oddly feminine, with an "Tim Burton shrunken head"----hmmm
    I say Nay - perhaps we are not quite ready for this?

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  11. First I have to say the colors of this ensemble would make a great spring piece. So already I am drawn to it (very ready for spring over here).

    I like the fitted sleeves that flair out just past the elbow on the jacket. The silk vest is also very nicely matched. And I just noticed the embroidery on the edges! Yes I say yay.

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  12. His silhouette makes him looks like a chicken - tiny neck, huge bottom. Nay! The clothes aren't bad though.

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  13. Giving it a nay - he's too pear-shaped for my fancy. I do like colors and his sleeves, though.

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  14. Nay to him and pear shape is definitely a downer. But I like the clothes and their colors.

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  15. Nay! Bottom heavy, as mentioned, and also, the vest is a bit tight, no? He look uncomfortable.

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  16. Nay. Men with little heads, small hands, long limbs and big waists look like a spider.

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  17. Nay. I'm a Gainsborough fan, but I agree that the proportions in this just aren't quite right.

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  18. As much as I hate to say it... Nay. Colours are subtle and lovely; but the odd proportions DO make him look a bit effete. A less than stellar offering from Gainsborough.

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  19. yay for the simple outfit and colors. Im sure it was very nice in person. However it is a nay for the painting. It just seems awkward and unproportional (like as previously stated a pear).

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  20. Well, I'm going to fly in the face of popular opinion with Lauren and give it a yay. I like Gainsborough and like the restrained, muted palette, as well as the cut of the clothes. Yeah, he looks a little like a pear, but to me it's not so prominent as to put me off.

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  21. Very snazzy. Is he wearing a corset???

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  22. I know it looks kind of odd with the proportions, but for once he's got his colors right! I give him a thumbs up for that. I mean, how often do these men have decent sense in matching shades (remember the man in the kilt-esque stockings)? I think he did pretty well.
    I'll give him a yay. :)
    Incidentally, have you ever heard of this?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkie_(Lawrence_painting)

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  23. Why yes, quite iconic isn't it! Despite all the white empire gowns of Lawrence Pinkie always stands out.

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  24. Is it just me, or does he have a bit of those odd Mannerist proportions here?

    The outfit is a yay for me.

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  25. I like the colors of the costume, but the vest is more than a bit snug. As to the pose, well, it's a deal breaker. Have to vote nay.

    Great blog though!

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