My last post featured Slim Aaron's photograph of the New Year's Eve party hosted by Gilbert and Kitty Miller in 1953. Under the Goya portrait are Mrs. Randolph Hearst and friends including Elsa Maxwell 'in what friends describe as her standard pose'.
The portrait is now in the possession of The Metropolitan Museum of Art NY and I quote their description (I couldn't have put it better myself).
This portrait represents the son of the conde de Altamira. Outfitted in a splendid red costume, Don Manuel is shown playing with a pet magpie (which holds the painter's calling card in its beak), a cage full of finches, and three wide-eyed cats. In Christian art, birds frequently symbolize the soul, and in Baroque art caged birds are symbolic of innocence. Goya may have intended this portrait as an illustration of the frail boundaries that separate the child's world from the forces of evil, or as a commentary on the fleeting nature of innocence and youth. The picture is one of several portraits commissioned by the Altamiras after Goya was appointed painter to the king (1786). It may have been executed after the child's death in 1792, since the imagery and sinister undertone seem more characteristic of Goya's works of the 1790s.
Credits: Slim Aarons: Once Upon A Time pub. Getty Images and Harry N Abrams Inc New York, 2003; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Rose! haha! Elsa looks like she is getting ready to flick her cigarette on that netty looking dress! I can't imagine slouching in the presence of a Goya- NOT in her party rules I am sure. la
ReplyDeleteCuriously enough, the portrait lived half the year in the Millers' NYC apartment (Mrs M inherited it from her father, Jules Bache) and half the year in the Met.
ReplyDeletela.. I know, I love Elsa Maxwell!
ReplyDeleteAAL.. Blimey, how did you know that?? But thank you.
And look at all the masses of flowers. Do you think it's a bit much for a dinner party? Or just right?
ReplyDeleteJust right...neva tooooo many lovely fleurs then...
DeleteYou have a keen eye AAL. I never got past Elsa's corporation. Too many flowers, well that's not so much the problem but there's no logic to them.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. What year was it taken, do you know? No-one bothering about second-hand smoke there - must have totally stunk from the smoke.
ReplyDeleteWell I think it was taken in 1953. I was just thinking how wonderful the smoking was!! It probably did stink but nobody noticed. Very stylish and relaxing though. You want to see the Madmen series for serious smoking.
ReplyDeleteI would have been happy to attend. But what to wear? So many choices. Probably Dior. With lots of spangles.
ReplyDeleteI think those ladies look pretty good. I would have had a Charles James
ReplyDeletenumber if I had the choice. Or maybe something simple with a naughty little cocktail hat. Ha. I am sure the men's trousers were properly hoisted with braces in those days and achieved perfect pitch!
I just stumbled upon your blog by linking through so many others. I was so delighted to see this post. I grew up with that Goya. My mom had a large print prominently displayed in our foyer and when I was young I used to say goodbye to him whenever I'd leave the house.
ReplyDeleteYou can count me in as a follower! You're welcome to stop by my blog and say hi anytime.
Best- THL
Thank you TT.. I'm glad this portrait engendered such happy memories.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for nostalgia!
I love to see important paintings into poeple's home , not only in museums ...
ReplyDeleteMe too, those were the days. I think this is full time in the Met now.. Thanks for your comment
ReplyDelete