80. František Kupka, The Yellow Scale
Yellow is a color for daffodils and sunshine, not humans. In people, it’s the color of fever and cowardice. One would think. But of course, the yellow man is not yellow at all. His un-yellowishness—his expression the opposite of sunshine and flowers, his disconcerting fearlessness—rivets our eyes to his strong face, to his elegant, bony-yet-fleshy hand. We have all known people like this, maybe sometimes are like this ourselves: dissatisfied and self-satisfied and bundled up protectively in style. But however we may be tempted to read this man, we can't tear our gaze away from his stunning glow.
Too many emails? For instructions on receiving a weekly recap, click here.
This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days.
Have a piece you’d like me to consider? Send a message or leave a comment—I can’t promise I’ll include it but I will give it a serious look.
One of my favorites! And I love how the artist uses green tones in the skin, maybe more than most do.
I do like this....I was drawn to the book, marked with life, and I wondered if his life reads like a book (whatever that may mean). I'm starring this for more thought. I like it...a lot! Thank you...!