The Brackets!

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Left Bracket Sixth Round Elimination: Rembrandt v. Wyeth



Well, my friends, we have arrived at the Sweet Sixteen.  Our undefeated artists -- Breugel, Degas, van Gogh, Varo, Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Sargent, and Vermeer -- have now been joined by the eight surviving one-loss artists: Caillebotte, Durer, Gentileschi, Homer, Klee, Picasso, and now Rembrandt and Wyeth.  I feel like this is a pretty respectable set of artists.

Rembrandt beat Michelangelo to survive to this round, whereas Wyeth pummeled poor Charles Sheeler.  On the other hand, Rembrandt did beat Michelangelo, who beat Wyeth several rounds ago, so obviously... well, who knows!



Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
1606 - 1669
Dutch
Rembrandt was a 17th century painter and etcher whose work came to dominate what has since been named the Dutch Golden Age. One of the most revered artists of all time, Rembrandt's greatest creative triumphs are seen in his portraits of his contemporaries, illustrations of biblical scenes and self-portraits as well as his innovative etchings and use of shadow and light.
- Biography.com










Wyeth's "oblique self-portrait," Trodden Weed.
Andrew Wyeth
1917 - 2009
American
Wyeth’s technical resources are remarkable. His work displays a strong linear quality, and within his limited palette—consisting mostly of earth tones—he achieves a subtly extensive range of colour. His paintings are precise and detailed, yet he moves them beyond photographic naturalism by imbuing them with a sense of subjective emotion. This work also exemplifies his use of unusual angles and his mastery of light.... Art historians have often characterized Wyeth’s work as sentimental and antithetical to the abstract trajectory of 20th-century art. In the face of such criticism, Wyeth’s work has always been popular.
- The Britannica





14 comments:

  1. Rembrandt's not in Wyeth's league.

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  2. Dammit. Gotta go with Wyeth, although it feels blasphemous.

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  3. I love them both, but I love Wyeth more.

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  4. I love them both, but it's gotta be Rembrandt.

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  5. Wyeth, sorry Rembrant, you were a good painter too.

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  6. Rembrandt for me. Though, yes, I love them both.

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  7. Well, this is kind of interesting.

    First, it seems I never voted. So, I vote for Rembrandt!

    That makes it 7 to 7 -- Rembrandt and Wyeth are tied!

    Since this is the last match of the round, there is no opportunity to resolve a tie. Therefore, by rule -- look it up! -- my own vote is discarded.

    That makes it 7 to 6. Wyeth takes it! Wyeth has a date with Claude Monet in the Seventh Round!

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Voting in the Infinite Art Tournament? Awesome. And, please be aware that purely anonymous votes are not counted. You don't need to log in or use your real name, but you must identify yourself in some fashion for your vote to count.