For the culturally inquisitive amongst us wearied by curatorial banality, sampling artforms hitherto neglected by the museums, serves as a refreshing treat In this particular instance – the wonderfully odd intersection between photography and painting – the public has been deprived of vernacular forms as deserving of our attention as the loveliest of folk art.
“Photography and the Painted Image,” a student-curated exhibition at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, guided by Professor Christopher Steiner, showcases works that blend the two mediums of photography and painting together.
The sheer novelty of the exhibition certainly contributes to its delightfulness. Truly, one may be so bold as to venture that this season has yet to witness such a charming collection.
Divided amongst three galleries, three antique aspects of photography are presented: the painted backdrop, the tinted image, and the painted foreground. The latter includes such humorous signs as those commonly referred to as “head-in-hole” (e.g., a board with a torso painted on it one may place one’s head upon).
Upon the walls of each, hang a mere sampling of works drawn from Professor Steiner’s vast collection of photography, perhaps the most significant within the state, sedulously acquired during his numerous trips to massive ephemera sales.
Photography is the natural tendency of humanity to view past generations as universally staid, restrained, and dull;
certainly, there is plentiful evidence to support this (false) conclusion, yet that which is presented in “Photography and the Painted Image” strongly contradicts this picture. Joy, romance, laughter – all is replete in this quaint, frequently touching exhibition.
There lies an undeniable melancholy inherent in the photographs of past years. What precisely one ought to attribute it to is difficult to say; the present writer can only testify that it is entirely to the benefit of the exhibition, infusing it with a subtle grace and “gravitas” which contrasts well with the droll (paper moons, naively painted backdrops)
and the adorable (how beautiful are the photographs of children, their darling cheeks tinted a lovely shade of rose!).
If one is to seek an exhibition, perhaps to share with a loved one, which shall fascinate, inform, and entertain in equal measure, look no further.
