COVE

Display Explanation: 

For my three paintings, I would display them in a small rectangular room, close to each other, with plum-colored walls to contrast the bright, warm colors of the artwork. The deeper plum color creates an elegant atmosphere while enhancing the warm shades present in all the paintings. This color also evokes an intimate feel that aligns with the theme of closeness and affection among the three artworks. 

The lighting would focus downwards on the paintings, illuminating them with a soft, warm glow. The rest of the room would lack major lighting features, allowing viewers to concentrate solely on the three paintings. To add a touch of extra light and enhance the romantic ambiance, there would be small, artificial candles in the corners, as real candles would pose a hazard. 

First, I would hang “The Devotion: The Two Girlfriends” (18.1 in x 26.8 in) by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. This painting would be positioned on the left, closest to the door. Being the smallest piece, it would be the easiest for viewers to appreciate upon entering the room. I chose "The Devotion" first because it sets the emotional tone with its tenderness between the two women. The colors and sketch-like brushwork of “The Devotion” pave the way for “The Girlfriends.” The way the women recline guides the viewer’s gaze from left to right onto the next painting.

 “The Girlfriends” (40 in x 40 in) by Gustav Klimt would be in the middle. “The Girlfriends” would be the centerpiece as it’s the most eye-catching with its bright hues and decorative quality. This design draws the viewer's eyes from “The Devotion: The Two Girlfriends” to “The Girlfriends”. This painting is the next size up, so the increase in size also has a flow. This painting is different than the other two’s painting styles as it highlights contrasting approaches to intimacy. It is a counterpoint to the other two paintings. The two women rest their heads on each other, facing inward, which directs the viewer's focus to the center.

Lastly, “IDYLL” (40.9 in x 83.5 in) by Frederic Leighton is positioned at the end of the installation. This painting was saved for last mainly because of its size and composition. The painting is the biggest one which guides the viewer from the smallest to the largest piece. This painting has a longer format, accommodating the women lying down with a man beside them. Like “Devotion”, two women are lying down, but in opposite directions this time. Having these women lay inward takes the viewer toward the end of the painting, then back to the other side. This painting ends with a dream-like feel contrasting the raw emotion found in “The Devotion” and the bright, decorative feel of “The Girlfriends." The colors here are softer than in “The Girlfriends” which brings a nice resolution to the three paintings. 

INSTALLATION NOTE:

The three paintings displayed are (in order) “The Devotion: The Two Girlfriends” by Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, “The Girlfriends” by Gustav Klimt, and “IDYLL” by Frederic Leighton. I did replace one of my paintings and switched it out for “IDYLL” as the theme I decided to go for was intimate, warm moments regarding women. 

“The Devotion: The Two Girlfriends”  shows two women resting on a bed. The one woman is lying completely down with her arm on her head, looking at the other woman. The other woman is facing away from the viewer, looking down at the other woman. The painting has rushed brushstrokes, especially in the background and in the dresses, and is mainly composed of bright oranges and reds. At the time, Toulouse-Lautrec was painting his depictions of nightlife which included brothels and nightclubs. These two women are sex workers- their white clothes are more revealing and tight compared to how women would dress at the time. These two women are relaxed, lying on a bed or a couch which would be a private and intimate space within the brothel. Despite the two women being in sex work, they both are holding a raw moment with each other. The two are very comfortable as the one woman almost has her eyes closed and her body is relaxed. The other woman seems to be either admiring her or talking with her as she’s directly looking into her eyes, propped up on her one arm, lying next to her. We aren’t particularly supposed to see this moment as the two women do not acknowledge anyone else but the other.

“The Girlfriends” depicts two women intimately holding each other. The woman on the left is completely nude with makeup on, staring ahead whereas the woman on the right is dressed in orange, looking off to the righthand side. The piece is very ornamental as the flattened, textured background is mainly bright red and orange and has colorful animals placed next to them. The painting is composed of rich, warm colors that show the sensuality between the two women. Despite the woman being naked, it is not erotic but displays vulnerability and passion towards the other woman and the viewer. There is an emotional connection between the two even if they aren’t directly looking at each other- it’s all through their embrace. The two women in this photo wanted the image to be seen and they posed for it unlike “The Devotion” and “IDYLL” where they are not acknowledging anything but each other. 

The title of “IDYLL” suggests a scene of peaceful, happy, idealized scene. The image itself displays it as the three people are in a classical, graceful scene. The bright yellows, soft reds, and white colors along with the neoclassical style focus on this peacefulness. A shirtless man in red plays the flute as he glances off into the distance. On the other side of the painting lay two women where the woman dressed in translucent white is resting her head on the other woman’s body. The man is distant from the other two women and he is focused on the flute whereas the women are intimately lying together. The woman in white is looking at the man, but the other woman is gazing down at her. Like “Devotion”, there is no acknowledgment of a painter or an audience. 

Works Cited

“Devotion: The Two Girlfriends - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Paintings.” Paintingmania.com, 2024, www.paintingmania.com/devotion-two-girlfriends-54_8020.html. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

 (size 18.1 in x 26.8 in)

Gustav Klimt. “The Girlfriends, 1916-1917.” Fine Art America, 2019, fineartamerica.com/featured/the-girlfriends-1916-1917-gustav-klimt.html Accessed 24 Feb. 2025. (size 40 in x 40 in)

Heather. “Idyll” by Frederic Leighton | Daily Dose of Art.” Daily Dose of Art, 30 Mar. 2020, www.myddoa.com/idyll-frederic-leighton/ Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.

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