A 20th Century Rediscovery: The Nurse by Sir Oswald Birley
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2020
- Hidden from view in the ownership of her descendants, Philip Mould will talk about the arrival from America of an exquisite, hitherto unknown portrait of an arresting 1920's nurse by society painter Sir Oswald Birley. Painted in return for medical services, this masterpiece by Birley combines his brilliance as a portraitist with the sublime lessons of three hundred years of great old master painting.
#oswaldbirley #birley #portrait #portraitpainter #Nurse #modernbritish #british #20thcenturywomen #20thcenturyart #20thcentury
I have watched this short film several times and on each occasion I am instantly reminded of The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Thank-you for this film.
I only discovered the series fake or fortune three days ago, and I must say I’m totally hooked. I have been speed watching many of them and I’m so drawn in by not only the paintings, but your amazing knowledge of all these artists and history behind each that you examine . Utterly captivating.
Same! 😊
Patty- I am a historian by degree. Consequently, I am totally fascinated by every episode. I'm also a serious art lover. I can't get enough.
❤❤❤❤❤
i see the artist showing us all the horrors of war in a portrait - incredible - it's all there in the eyes - a young woman who has seen way too much suffering and pain in too many wounded soldiers
This old fan of Fake or Fortune in America misses you, Philip! Thank you for sharing her with us.
She is beautiful! A young lady with full lips and tired eyes, too busy for small talk. She has so much to do. The choice of cutting the right side of her scarf in line with her neck is genius. I am glad that I have now heard of this artist.
Its a contemporary subject, tired nurse mixed with glamour.
Isn't though. Very timely.
She looks worn out but I see strength in her , she has a beautiful face ❤️ magnificent 🙏❣️☘️
Agreed.
Absolutely, it is exquisite.
She looks impatient at having her work interrupted to have to spend time at idle posing when she could have been doing something useful.
I was thinking exactly the same thing, she's putting in a lot of hours.
I agree she looks worn out. I am a retired nurse now, but her expression is so familiar to me of how I felt after working.
Such a wonderful portrait. Birley has captured this young lady as if during a busy day of work. The cleaning is just right; beautiful.
This has become one of my favorite paintings. She looks bruised somewhat as though a war has taken a toll on her. Love it.
The painting of Rhoda Birley - The Green Masque - is enchanting.
That's an understatement. It is absolutely stunning.
I am so in love with this painting. We see what might've been a petulant teenager in the not too distant past, but she is exhausted and traumatized. She can hardly keep her eyes open. She retains her stunning natural beauty but will never be the same carefree person again. Her beauty coupled with the pall of trauma and exhaustion makes for a powerful, almost transcendent viewing experience. The contrast between her youthful beauty and what we know must be days and nights filled with unimaginable horror, knocks you right in the gut. This is innocence lost to the horrors men inflict upon one another. It is brilliant that Birley chose, in 1921, some three years after the war had ended, to depict her in between shifts at the nightmare factory, eyes blackened so that the shadows creep all the way onto her cheeks, as if into her soul,, and ours if we listen closely enough.
Yes, her one eye is innocent and loving and the other one tired and full of hate to the circumstances, as is her right. That makes this painting so amazing.
@@kristi.s9922 the head does not fit the body her chin is in line with her shoulder
I hope the artist treated her with respect because what I see in her eye is the look a woman gives a man who has just joined the long list of men behaving badly.
She's gorgeous and petulant. Philip really knows how to bring art to life what a pro - a great distraction
What did he do ?
@@ratherbfishing455 He explained it so well.
Art education at its best! Thank you Philip, we can feel your passion. The fascinating background stories always hook me right away! I believe I speak for all your art aficionado subscribers when I say 'subscribing to your channel reaps only returns'. You make it possible for many of us to get to know, enjoy and appreciate the art unknown to us and those pieces which speak to us but that are not obtainable or affordable.
I was sad when the Art in Isolation series ended and was hopeful that you would speak about art in your offices. I am so pleased that you have chosen to do so and that it is not a brief description of a piece of art -- I have never heard of Oswald Birley, but thanks to you I have now. Excellent painter. And thanks to you I am learning more about the old masters and am starting to see the influence of artists on subsequent artists AND the why of it, and the HOW of it. Thank you so much.
I never heard of that series. Thanks for sharing! I have hours of Philip to watch in isolation.
She is stunning and the painting is captivating because for it's simplicity, it is also very dynamic as described. Thank you for showcasing her, and going into the depth and detail that you did.
Good grief - I am stunned. This is within a smidgen of van Gogh's most intense self portraits. Never heard of Birley until now but wow! More than wow! This is something else. The Girl with the Pearl Earring? (I have seen that at the Mauritshuis in The Hague) - this has just as much power. Thank you Philip for sharing this.
apropos, with the great demands of and our reliance on our health care workers and first responders during this pandemic. kudos to you for giving us this classic , beautiful portrait.
Thank for this series but especially this one. A woman who's seen many sad things but is impatient to get on with her work. She has me in tears. So wonderfully portrayed.
So nice to chance upon Mr. Mould here. I am a fan and own one of his books - probably ought to get more. He tells the stories of these works very well. It's about life! I am an artist and redcross since medevac 1967 with redcross at Fort Knox. Just making masks this time - and donate my own art to fundraise for them.
Statement: a super portrait...but so much more:
Looking at her face and her age I am CERTAIN, from my own memory of that phase - she is coming of age and having to see the worst of "man's inhumanity to man" - it is a life-changer and that impact shows in her face - she is not tired - she is undone from girlhood forever.
Till my own small first work with wounded from the war, I was a crack shot with BB and darts - but never after seeing what shooting at a thing can do to a human being.
Parts of her psyche are reborn in a passion to help - and parts are gone forever - the innocence and the disinterest in anything but fun will never be seen in her face again.
Her sweet mission to help has shown its horrible roots and she is "one who has seen the eye" now.
She is full of strength and passion, though, knowing she is doing all that can be done - "her bit" to make it better, in the here and now.
And as long as people respond to need with doing their bit to help, we will make it.
Her hauntingly sad and weary, yet beautiful, face perfectly sums up the horrors that those brave nurses had to deal with, patching up the damaged men. It’s a wonderful painting.
What a beautiful painting.
What he said is what I never would have thought. It’s so interesting to hear the back story. Art is so deep and rich. Philip is a wonderful teacher .
Clicked on this video.. Expecting to hear the rich british accent, and boy was I not disappointed. What a orator!! Made my day.
These portraits are absolutely beautiful. I love the carved wooden frame; it gives the subject an added elegance it so well deserves. Sir Oswald Birley also managed to capture completely, yet delicately, the profound emotional quality of her face: the fatigue (or sadness) in her eyes, the moistness on her nose and lips, the slightly dilated pupils and lowered lids, and the wistfulness of her hair and turn of her head toward the viewer. He captured all that without much detail or denying her utter beauty, grace and elegance. This piece is something other portrait artists should study.
To me it looks as though she's been crying, there's that bit of white paint under her left eye and the darker streak of skin beneath. She's earnest and hard working.
It gives me a very sad feeling as well, as if she's been talking to someone to stop the war, they say it's too expensive to not have a war. And the she turns around, grabs her stuff, gives them one last look, as if to plea; 'Think about this, I will be caring for thousands of victims if you do' and then she walks off, back to work.
yes sad eyes - had perhaps seen a lot of suffering and pain and it touched her?
Love it! Especially the lose paint strokes that seem to blend into almost photo-like harmony.
Oh she's so lovely. Her healing beauty is incidental and effortless. As so well described, she is engaged, unceremoniously getting on with her duties, doing what must be done. It truly is a gorgeous painting, and this discussion of it was vastly illuminating. Thank you so much.
I was wondering why this portrait was videoed twice. Now I understand why. :) Philip is an excellent speaker.
And if he's featuring her another time, I'll watch that, too. ;-) Mr. Mould can make the phone book sound interesting, I'm sure! ;-) :-)
Ha, that a great line!
Passing his gallery every morning used to be the highlight of my walk to work. There was always something spectacular in the window plus a mouth watering glimpse of other treasures inside.
This picture is outstanding, though.
@@piplebref4607
The 3 examples in this video were proof we were seeing a world class artist at the top of his game.
I could listen to him for hours !
The portrait is stunning so beautiful, seems almost painted in 3D.
Stunning.
Thank you Philip for your genuine, instructive discussion offering us a much deeper look at the artist and subject. Thank you again.
Beautiful... I love your videos Phillip. You bring the paintings you feature to life...
As an art pleb, I so appreciate your enthusiasm and appreciation for painting. Your expertise helps me go from a superficial satisfaction to a better understanding of why the portrait is satisfying. Also, the framing is so spot-on in that it reflects the mood of the portrait and adds another texture for my viewing experience. (plus, nice haircut although I kind of miss the COVID scuff)
Very glad to learn of Oswald Burley. It’s a marvelous work, although it suggests to me a woman who has seen great suffering and evidences a marked sadness. I always look forward to your videos with Fiona. It was sheer genius to pair you two!
I thoroughly enjoyed this girl and I also love fake or fortune
I’ve read one of your books too
Such a great writer as well
Thank you ❤ I’d love to see your gallery one day
What an extraordinary painting. She looks like someone's asked her a question while she's during her shift, and she's turned, tired and world-weary, partially listening before she turns back to focus on her work as a nurse.
I found this channel after trying to find more of a Fake or Fortune fix, and what a find! Can't wait to dig into those Art in Isolation episodes, and like with this video, be introduced to more fantastic artists that I otherwise wouldn't have known about.
What a striking painting. Thank you so much!
This painting takes you by the hand and beckons you in..... Just beautiful!
Phillip - Thanks so much for this one! I could listen to you all day. You are a rapturous presenter & ambassador for all things Art! You probably have but a slim sense of just how thrilling you are in your discourses! THE BEST !
I am grateful for the gift of beholding this bellissima and learning about the artist and his work. The presenter’s knowledge and ability to communicate what he finds in the work is compelling, and the fact that I want to know everything about the lady pictured bespeaks the brilliance of the painting as not only a work of art but as a record of the human condition.
Philip is a wonderful speaker
and delivers eloquently
Burley is a wonderful painter
with equally eloquent delivery.
I enjoy the sounds and sights.
They are filled with hyperbole
( Maybe a little too much for the
Ordinary man/woman new to Art.
💅💘🏵️🤔💰🌹
Me?
I can't get enough! 👈
I think Philip is wonderful in how he describes a painting and he brings the painting to life. See good things came out of lockdown and I can easily listen to the honey tones of Philip all night long.
I love paintings like this -- when one sees something unique and different every time you view it, they never get old.
Stunning. And so is the portrait of his wife.
What a marvelous no nonsense expression she has !!
Very interesting and a lovely piece of artwork, but so sad that she is no longer with the family.
Chất lượng, Sỹ Luân chắc thích bản Cover này lắm này! Chúc mừng em cùng toàn thể Ekip F. Studio
Very enjoyable and enlightening, thank you Philip.
Absolutely love this painting!
Now I want to know more about the nurse..thank you..it is stunning ..
Absolutely gorgeous painting!
What a lovely painting and introduction to an artist I'd never heard of (but not want to find out more about). Thank you! I'm about to look through your channel now to see if I can find similar videos :)
This lovely portrait reminds me of The Girl With the Pearl Earring. Thank you for telling us about this so talented painter.
This is simply gorgeous.
Her eyes almost speak to you... lovely painting!
Just discovered your channel, wonderful thank you. Had the feeling with this painting she was looking back before going into the dark unknown. Superb artist, thanks for introducing him to my limited canon of art. Have subscribed.
Loooooved the portrait of his wife. Of course, the nourse is also admirable. First time hearing about this painter. He knows how to bring interest and beauty ro rhe details.
It is a beautiful painting and I like the displaced sense of time as if she is thinking of another place her work or duties and yet being in the present time posing in front of the artist as Phillip was saying reminiscent of Velasquez
Love the story behind this magnificent painting.
As a nurse, I felt something in this picture that really speaks to our experience. It is sometimes an exhausting job, not always physically, but emotionally. There is a sadness in those eyes that hints of exposure to misery. The clothing is clean and orderly, but the human appears to look over her shoulder, communicating a sense of loss she is hoping to share with the person standing next to her. I've seen that gesture.
Walking towards the darkness she pauses and turns towards the light, in that moment of calm she is caressed by it's warmth. What a magnificent piece of work.
This painting has a beautiful use of highlight. The glints of light in the eyes and on the lips catches your eyes and makes you look closer . The look of strength of character in the woman. Thank you for sharing this, now I have a new artist to research.
Lovely painting Thank you Philip
Thank you for doing this work. Fascinating history.
Growing up in New Zealand sadly I had never heard of Sir Orwell Birley. Very much appreciated.
Thank you! I so enjoyed this!
What an eye opener. This is the first time I've seen a Burley and am already hooked.
Magical, again! Thank you!
Its beautiful. She also looks like shes been working hard with the dark circles under her eyes. Sacrificing her posh life to help suffering soldiers. That what struck me. It's not a vanity portrait.
Beautiful work Philip. Great explanation. Keep up the good work
Such a good video, more like this please!
I so love your teachings. Your pleasure and love for your life’s work is enjoyed by us all.
That portrait is amazing. How her hair falls over her right eye creating a shadow is fucking brilliant. women really looked like that back in the day? Gorgeous.
Why did I not know a bout Sir Oswald Birley? Thank you Philip. This is a wonderful painting, for all the reasons you so brilliantly describe. I shall search out more of his work. I think this also has hints of Sargent. I love it.
Wonderful presentation, Philip.
As a kid, I was sent away to school out the the Berkshires (in western Massachusetts), and pretty much lived in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, in Williamstown, MA.. There, I was able to study artists like Homer and Sargent - in the flesh. So one can see how I would appreciate a British portraiture artist like Sir Oswald Birley.
That is so beautiful, its so intense, yet, offers a touch of her caring self... what a master this young man became... wonderous.... Thank you Philip, for sharing this painting.
Omg, this is one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen, haunting.
Beautiful
"Marinated in old masters" ... beautiful!
The work makes me think of Sargent’s works of gas victims from World War I and their care takers. The serious young nurse might well be caring for victims of the war, who would never fully recover. You say she looks earnest. I see heart break and tragedy. It’s a powerful work. Thank you for sharing your feelings about it!
From a distance she looks weary. Up close I can see determination. Two paintings in one.
Two paintings in one! Yes; like a great poem, or a well cut diamond.
Thank you for giving me a greater appreciation of many art styles! I have loved the Art in Isolation - never missed it. So am very glad to have found you - and this wonderful portrait!
Thank you, Philip, for your wonderful, insightful perspective of art and sharing your personal collection. If you are still answering questions I have two: do you have any art by living artists and are you familiar at all with Canadian artists such as the Group of Seven, Tom Thompson, Emily Carr and the like? By the way, your home is spectacularly beautiful. What a surprise it was to see you kissing your chickens and a delight to know you are visited by Canada geese! Once again, thank you for all you do, your CZcams videos and the work you do with Fake or Fortune, my favourite program, and know you have a fan and follower from Vancouver Island, Canada. All the best to you, Philip.
- KC Brock
Myself, I'm an art lover and like to dive into art history. The paintings, the artists, the back stories of who they are, why they painted that painting for whom, How they became an artist etc. Philip Mould is passionate, intelligent, researched, helps us understands the paintings and brings them more life. However, there's a certain addition men like him and others bring to their talks about art, which I'm unsure about and I could bring wrong. It's an elitist feel, it's discussions of monetary value as much as the inherent value of the painting. Do I feel slightly uncomfortable about speaking of money on top of or with the discussion of the excellence of the painting? I believe I do! Outside of Museums and galleries only the rich can own them and see them. We are cut off to many of them, but nevertheless there are still millions of art works that we the public can see and discuss it's very enriching and fulfilling. I thank Philip Mould, Fiona Bruce and others Andrew Graham Dixon, etc for their discussions.
Fabulous painting, beautiful woman full of spirit and independence
Thank you for sharing art on line with us again. This painting is particularly evocative for me. My grandmother was a nurse during WWI and I have a photo of her with her nursing sisters during the Duke of Connaught's visit to the hospital she nursed in. The way Birley paints fabric is stunning.
at painting and great video - as you say at the end Philip, a modern painting and subject infused with the tradition of 500 years of master artists
Wonderful portrait of a nurse determined to carry on serene and beautiful at the same time
so inspiring. Love these videos . Thanks for sharing
beautiful painting, and fabulous frame. Thank you.
Thanks for establishing the emotional connection to a new artist.
Thank you Philip. These clips are so informative.
Sublime!
Such a beautiful portrait. I look forward to discovering more Birley paintings
This is an amazing painting! Thank you for introducing this to me.
Fascinating fascinating, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge..
Absolutely gorgeous painting!!! And me being a Nurse as well, I feel more drawn to it!!! Thanks
So glad to see you again. Once again, you are opening my eyes to yet another painter I did not know of. Thank you so much.
Unbelievable 47k views. Well done and thank you!
Fabulous. Thanks
Another wonderful video, and this particular work reminds me so much of the Golden Age of American Illustrators, especially Howard Chandler Christy, a once-blind illustrator who became a famous portrait painter. His works fill the U.S. Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, Ohio Statehouse and various other museums and institutions in the U.S. and Britain.