What do you see when you look at a painting? You see the subject and the style of the work but also the materials and technologies used to create it and the traces of everything that has happened to it. Professional paintings conservator Jean Dommermuth considers how all of those factors contribute to what a painting is. You don’t need to know anything about art history to enjoy this podcast, but no matter what, you’ll never look at a painting the same way again. You can find images and related materials at jeandommermuth.com/podcast
The What Is a Painting? podcast is a refreshing and unique art-historical podcast that focuses on the physicality of paintings and how it relates to meaning and interpretation. Unlike other podcasts in the genre, host Jean Dommermuth dives deep into the material objects of art, exploring tangible materials, processes, and more. This emphasis on the reality of an artwork makes the podcast incredibly fascinating and valuable. It stands out as a prime example of what a great podcast can be – devoid of nonsense, self-reference, dumb jokes, digressions, and bumbling filler.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is Jean Dommermuth's experience, knowledge, and respect for art. Her focus on the physical aspects of paintings showcases her expertise in the field. She delves into details that many other podcasts overlook or skim over. By honing in on these tangible elements, she provides listeners with a fresh perspective on artworks that they may never have considered before. Her in-depth analogies and explanations make complex concepts easy to understand for all audiences.
Another commendable aspect is the host's ability to bring art history to life through her descriptions of historic paintings. Her passion for the subject shines through as she shares captivating stories about artworks from different periods. Whether you are an artist or not, Jean's vivid descriptions will transport you into the rich world of art history. It allows listeners to appreciate not only the visual beauty but also the historical context behind each painting.
Unfortunately, there are no apparent worst aspects to this podcast. However, it would be even more enriching if Jean could provide visuals alongside her descriptions. While she does an excellent job conveying images through words alone, being able to see the paintings being discussed would enhance the listening experience further.
In conclusion, The What Is a Painting? podcast is an incredible resource for anyone interested in art history and painting. Jean Dommermuth's approach to exploring what makes a painting physically and how it relates to meaning and interpretation is a revelation. Her ability to connect different eras, spaces, materials, and intentions adds depth to the understanding of art. With just four episodes, this podcast has already provided more knowledge than a year of studying art history. It is an absolute must-listen for art enthusiasts.
How have natural aqueous media been used over the centuries, including by one of the most famous artists of the 20th century?
What can be done to reinforce a degraded canvas support of a painting, and how can that change that painting's look?
How does paint made from animal glue and different blue pigments work, look, and age?
What is the canvas of a canvas painting, and why and how was it used?
What's the story of the painting of the Just Judges panel now on display in Ghent?
Where is the Just Judges panel of the Ghent Altarpiece?
What happened to the Ghent Altarpiece between 1566 and 1934?
What is the Ghent Altarpiece, how was it created, and what changes did it undergo in the first 125 years of its existence?
How did Early Netherlandish painters use different materials to create different kinds of landscapes, and how have those paintings changed over time?
How does the use of different media affect the look of paint?
How were the underdrawings of Early Netherlandish paintings made and how can we see them?
Why are the oak panels of Early Netherlandish paintings good supports, and what can they tell us?
How do Early Netherlandish paintings differ from Early Italian paintings - in how they look, what they mean, and what they are?
What's the story of the Cimabue Crucifix at Santa Croce, Florence? From 1966 until now.
What's the story of the Cimabue Crucifix at Santa Croce, Florence? From the thirteenth century until 1966.
How do modern and contemporary paintings reflect some of the physical aspects of Early Italian paintings? Some thoughts about engaged frames and the use of gold leaf.
How did Early Italian painters combine gold and paint to imitate luxury textiles?
What are the components of the paint used by Early Italian painters, how did they use it, and how has it changed over the centuries?
How were the gold backgrounds of Early Italian paintings created, and how have they changed over time?
Episode 6 - How did painters turn natural materials from animal and mineral sources into the perfect preparation for their panel paintings? A look at Early Italian gesso grounds.
How does a tree become a support for a painting, and how does the memory of its life in the forest affect that support? A look at Early Italian panels.
How did European painters and patrons before about 1400 understand what paintings were and how did that affect how they were made? A look at Early Italian images of the Madonna and Child.
How have modern painters explored what a painting can be? A look at the work of Frank Stella.
What clues about a painting's materials and history can you find just by looking? A look at Botticelli's Birth of Venus in the Uffizi Galleries, Florence.
What is the physical structure of a painting, and how does that relate to how a painting looks in person? A look at Rembrandt's Aristotle Looking at a Bust of Homer in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
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