I’ve just done a quick search to see what else has been written about Romaine Brooks on here and found your fab Substack.
I’m a relative newbie to her life story but I’m already hooked. As you say she was incredibly ahead of her time. Thanks for the book recommendations which I’ll definitely check out.
Thank you for bringing Romaine's work to us. I, too, like many others, hadn't known her work until you mentioned her in a recent comment under my post, and I'm so happy that you did! She was an incredible painter; I hope to see her works in person someday. Thanks for this wonderfully researched piece.
Her work is incredible, very much ahead of its time in both its minimalism and its queerness.
She left most of her work to the Smithsonian in Washington DC (US), and it's been in their archives for years - not exhibited anywhere since I think 2016. I'd love to see it in person one day too. When I bought a book that accompanied her first major exhibition (after her death), there were a bunch of old newspaper clipping from 1971 in the back.
Well you are off to a great start. Not because it’s my book but because you have done the research necessary to garner respect from this author. Thanks so much. I tried to write a gripping narrative to really get beneath Romaine’s performative self to the really amazing strength and vulnerability she had as a creative woman trying to follow her destiny no matter how challenging and traumatizing her life was.
Thank you! As I mentioned, I thought your book was the best of the bunch because it had the least bias, and it was gripping. Romaine's self-protectiveness (the performative self) makes sense, given her history, yet, it also seemed she never allowed for it to stop her from living life and making art. It seems that perhaps the challenges and trauma made her more determined, not held back by public opinion or the mores of the time.
It makes me so happy to see you mention Łempicka. It's so rare that Polish artists get recognition outside of our country (maybe with the exception of film directors). So, I'm thrilled that you enjoyed her work; we are very proud of her!
I've been twice! Seems hard to imagine you'll dislike it, but am looking forward to your post on it! PS have been reading "They" on your suggestion--after reading your blog I remembered that I owned the book
I’ve just done a quick search to see what else has been written about Romaine Brooks on here and found your fab Substack.
I’m a relative newbie to her life story but I’m already hooked. As you say she was incredibly ahead of her time. Thanks for the book recommendations which I’ll definitely check out.
Oh, I'm so glad you like it (the Substack and this essay).
She's the artist whose work I return to the most repeatedly (and I have framed and unframed prints of it all over my apartment).
Always happy to meet fans of hers also :)
Thank you for bringing Romaine's work to us. I, too, like many others, hadn't known her work until you mentioned her in a recent comment under my post, and I'm so happy that you did! She was an incredible painter; I hope to see her works in person someday. Thanks for this wonderfully researched piece.
Her work is incredible, very much ahead of its time in both its minimalism and its queerness.
She left most of her work to the Smithsonian in Washington DC (US), and it's been in their archives for years - not exhibited anywhere since I think 2016. I'd love to see it in person one day too. When I bought a book that accompanied her first major exhibition (after her death), there were a bunch of old newspaper clipping from 1971 in the back.
Well you are off to a great start. Not because it’s my book but because you have done the research necessary to garner respect from this author. Thanks so much. I tried to write a gripping narrative to really get beneath Romaine’s performative self to the really amazing strength and vulnerability she had as a creative woman trying to follow her destiny no matter how challenging and traumatizing her life was.
Thank you! As I mentioned, I thought your book was the best of the bunch because it had the least bias, and it was gripping. Romaine's self-protectiveness (the performative self) makes sense, given her history, yet, it also seemed she never allowed for it to stop her from living life and making art. It seems that perhaps the challenges and trauma made her more determined, not held back by public opinion or the mores of the time.
Exactly and we admire her for that and her sensibilities
I never knew about this artist! Striking work, and I love the broad sketches of her life you included here.
That is my intent: to introduce folks to books and art they haven't heard of, so I thank you for your comment as it means a lot to me.
Wow had never heard of this artist before! But she sounds great. Since you're local, did you ever go to the Lempicka exhibit? Another very queer gaze
It makes me so happy to see you mention Łempicka. It's so rare that Polish artists get recognition outside of our country (maybe with the exception of film directors). So, I'm thrilled that you enjoyed her work; we are very proud of her!
Her work is beautiful! The exhibition here was her first major showing in the US.
Everyone I've shared her work with so far as liked it, so sharing it here. It deserves to be seen.
Re Lempicka: I'm actually going next weekend!
I've been twice! Seems hard to imagine you'll dislike it, but am looking forward to your post on it! PS have been reading "They" on your suggestion--after reading your blog I remembered that I owned the book
Ah, enjoy! It's really short, so looking forward to your review if you decide to review it.