The Art Of Wine

/

One of history's greatest pairings? Wine and art. They go together like Cabernet and steak. In fact, not just wine but drinking culture as a whole has been a prominent feature of some of the greatest artworks of our time. In the Art of Wine, we look at some of these artworks and their significance to us, the drinking class.

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR - LUNCHEON OF THE BOATING PARTY

First off, who doesn't want to be at this party? It looks like the perfect way to spend a weekend. Second, for those who are unfamiliar with this painting, this is The Luncheon of the Boating Party by Renoir. It is one of my favorite paintings that celebrates drinking because it's so current. Renoir painted a bunch of his friends having a party. Renoir may as well have been posting this to his Instagram account. The Luncheon is fun, it's beautiful, it's the drinking class at it's finest. 

The Characters

There are 14 people at this party and it's said that they were all friends of Renoir. We'll examine some of the people in this portrait, who they were and and how they fit into the scene. 

 
 

First up, one of Renoir's good friends Gustave Caillebotte. History tells us that he was a fellow artist and somewhat of a playboy. In the painting, he holds the position as the life of the party. He is seated prominently in the front of the painting sitting on a backwards chair while wearing an undershirt. Message sent. This guy is the guy that makes the party go.

Next is the lady speaking with Gustave. Her name is Angèle and in real life she was an actress and an all time beauty. In the scene, she is in the seat of the instigator.  I can envision this conversation as mildly flirtatious while keeping Gustave in his place. Her personality keeps the mood light and fun. 

This next guy is my pretend favorite. His real name is Alphonse Fournaise, Jr., and he is the  son of the proprietor where the party is taking place. His responsibilities were launching the boats. The girl to his right is his sister Alphonsine Fournaise, and she has the same job. To me though, this is the crazy guy in the bunch. Give him four glasses of wine and dare him to do something and he can't help but to try it. The famous last words "watch this" guy. I could envision him leaping into the river for a few laughs just moments after this scene took place.

Lastly, there is Aline Charigot. At the time this was painted, she was a seamstress and single, but she would later go on to marry Renoir.  In the portrait, she is playing with a puppy and appears to be game for a laugh. She seems like the kind of person who is thrilled it's the weekend and won't have a care in the world until Monday. You can almost hear her say "I'm happy to be here with my friends enjoying this moment." I think it's telling how even though the actress is focused on Gustave, he gazes longingly at Aline. Innocent glances or the makings of a dramatic love triangle? You be the judge. 

The Table And Venue 

Screen Shot 2015-10-08 at 4.52.16 PM.png

Some things just stand the test of time. Getting together with your friends by the river to have wine, cheese, fruits and a great time never goes out of style. Next to the beer garden and cafe seating, this is one of the finest examples of outdoor drinking culture. In this case, they are sitting on a patio by the Seine River in France, but they might as well be sitting by the San Francisco Bay having a bunch of oysters and some laughs. Looks like a great time.

The Drinking Class

Renoir gets the drinking class. Let's gather up all of our friends and head down to the river. We'll drink some wine, enjoy some great food and cause some trouble. Oh, and while I'm there I'll turn the scene into one of the best examples of Impressionist works of all time. It's brilliant. If staring at this for awhile doesn't make you want to crack a few bottles of wine down by the water, I don't know what will. In the Luncheon of the Boating Party Renoir shows us the youthful drinking class at its finest and invites us all to join in! 

A View From An Art Historian

The folks at One Minute Art put together a nice video about the Luncheon Of The Boating Party. 

Written Analysis From An Art Historian

Ion Indolean wrote a wonderful essay that he uploaded to Academia.edu on the Luncheon Of The Boating Party which is worth a read. 

The Art Of Wine

/

One of history's greatest pairings? Wine and art. They go together like Cabernet and steak. In fact, not just wine but drinking culture as a whole has been a prominent feature of some of the greatest artworks of our time. In the Art of Wine, we look at some of these artworks and their significance to us, the drinking class.

Edward Hopper's Nighthawks

I love this painting. It was the first piece of art that ever moved me to purchase it. After I first saw it, I went to my local poster store a bought a print that hung in my bedroom for most of my teenage years and into my early 20s. My wife, realizing my affinity for the painting and its symbolism, recently bought me a copy for my office. I have spent hours of my life staring at it and trying to figure out what is going on and how I fit into this scene. 

The Characters

There are four people in this cafe, and I am going to make some assumptions here because, well, like wine tasting, this is what I experience in this painting even if the experts see different.

I have always thought that the two people at the bar are in the middle of a struggling relationship. Not a heated argument per say, but more of a long slow drawn out decline. It's in their body language. Close but not touching. Together but distant. Staring off into space in contemplation. Who hasn't been there right? Sitting at a bar trying to figure it out. Is this still worth it? 

Next is the man behind the counter. He is young and fresh looking. Eagar to serve. Happy to get you a cup of coffee, pour you a beer, or mix you a cocktail. He is the quintessential barman of the hotel bar. I'll bring you whatever you want, I'm just glad you're here. I can totally relate this guy. Anyone who strives to be a great host can relate to this guy. One of the essential elements of the drinking class is a bartender who is knowledgeable and excited to help. 

Lastly, there is the solo man. Today this guy could very easily be stopping in for a quick drink while staring at his iPhone, but not in this painting. He is seemingly without any of the entertainment tools of the solo man in a solitary moment; i.e. no newspaper or briefcase etc. To me, he is the guy at the end of the bar. We all know that guy.  The guy who is at home at the bar. The place he feels most comfortable. The man who finds comfort in the bartender who knows him, a pleasant conversation with a stranger, and the loud bar noises blending into a dull hum.  Every drinking establishment worth visiting has one of these guys tucked away at the end of the bar just waiting for someone to walk in off the street and pull up the stool next to him.

The Bar 

The cafe bar is my favorite element of this whole painting. The place is so incredibly well illuminated. It's like whomever or whatever is going on inside of this cafe is on stage. The centerpiece of a performance. There is nothing there to take your attention away from the people inside. No door, no electric signs, no artwork. It exists solely as a platform to show us these different elements and how they come together to form all the components of the bar (minus the obnoxious drunk of course). There is also a stark contrast between the colors inside the cafe and the dark and ominous street that awaits you when you leave. I can't help but hear it screaming "Hey! Come in here where it's warm and safe!" As citizens of the drinking class, we are familiar with this welcome. 

The Drinking Class

Nighthawks is a statement piece of art for those of us that enjoy the social elements of drinking because it's so relatable. We have all been these characters at one time or another. We understand them individually and know the simultaneous sense of community and isolation that is ever present in this painting. That's why I will always struggle to find where I fit when I look at it. I could be any one of them or none at all. What I do know is that I will be back. The fifth person in this scene pulling up that stool at a cafe some point soon, smiling at the friendly bartender and ordering a glass of wine. I'll look over at the man sitting alone and ask him what "what's good here?" or comment on the weather. I'll ponder the couple and what has happened between them? Mostly I know that I'll be happy to be back amongst you, my friends of the drinking class who were captured perfectly by Ed Hopper. 

A View From An Art Historian

The people at NerdWriter have done an exceptional review of Hopper's Nighthawks in the video above, focusing on the artist, the painting, and the world at the time it was painted. We hope you enjoy their take.