A curve does not exist in its full power until contrasted with a straight line.
This week, Ann-Christine has inspired us with a wonderful, new subject: Curves. Once I started looking for curves, I noticed that they were often paired with straight lines…even in ordinary objects like my toaster, coffee maker, and electric teakettle. I wondered if Robert Henri was right when he said that the the line brings out the full power of the curve.
In my first image the gentle curves and undulations of the fronds are prominent features. Mother Nature loves curves, but then again she also includes some fairly straight lines.
Ghirlandaio’s masterpiece, the Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi Tornabuoni, highlights many wonderful curves in the young noble woman’s face, hair, shoulders, dress, and fingers. It’s interesting how he included some straight lines in the painting–like the quote inserted in the background. I wonder if this was intentional.
We’ve been watching the construction of this stunning apartment building in Boston over the last few months. The architect combined curves and straight lines to create a dramatic effect. You can see some unfinished sections at the top.
The wonderful sculpture Grand Rapids Arch by Andy Goldsworthy is permanently installed in Meier Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was fabricated out of rectangular stone blocks from Scotland. I love the drama of this work.
I’ll end my collection with a whimsical home in Newton, Massachusetts, I often admired it because it reminded me of a house in a fairy tale. I love how the architect mixed rectilinear elements with curves.
I found it so interesting that curves were often paired with straight lines. I believe that Robert Henri is right–straight lines enhance the power of curves. Do you agree?
This week, we hope you join us and have fun exploring curves in LAPC #191. Be sure to visit Ann-Christine’s site to see her beautiful examples of curves that she discovered on a visit to a museum.
I loved your Close and Closer photos last week! The variety, uniqueness, quirkiness, and beauty of your choices were wonderful! Next week, Amy will be leading the challenge, so be sure to visit her site next Saturday, March 26 at noon. Until then, have a safe and inspiring week.
Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
P.A. Moed 
I thought our apartment building was taller enough with five floors. That Boston one is undoubtedly eye-catching and an engineering feat. The whimsical home in Newton, Massachusetts, is one that caught my imagination, and yes, it is like a fairytale home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Suzanne. The new construction here is quite high. We’re in a building with 38 floors. Some are higher. Where do you live? I’m glad you like the fairy tale house! Isn’t it charming?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Patti, we live in Tauranga. As we have earthquakes that many high buildings. Most new builds have to be earthquake strengthened.
LikeLike
Whoops, meant to write Tauranga, New Zealand
LikeLike
Oh, NZ! We are long overdue for a trip there. I’m hoping we can go next year. It’s such a beautiful country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully you do get to travel to New Zealand. Our boarders are opening though I think next year will be more settled. Fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the fern fronds Patti 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re from Sydney. 😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
This is a great post for curves. I liked the art work and the apartment building. I can imagine living there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anne! 😀😀. I’d like to live there, too! I’m curious what the interior will look like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful response Patti – love the painting you chose which illustrates the power of curves beautifully – does anyone know what the translation of the quote is? Also really loved the fern and the new skyscraper. Terrific post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Tina. Thanks so much! 😀😀😀. I did some research on Wikipedia and found out what the epigram says:
The inscription is a modified excerpt of a poem by the author Martial.[1] The epigram reads: “ARS VTINAM MORES ANIMVM QVU EFFINGERE POSSES PVCHRIOR IN TERRIS NVLLA TABELLA FORET MCCCCLXXXVIII”. This translates to “Art, would that you could represent character and mind! There would be no more beautiful painting on earth 1488”.[1] This epigram refers to both the virtue of the sitter whom it is positioned behind[1] and the skill of the painter.[7] By referring to Giovanna’s beauty, Ghirlandaio conveys the beauty of the sitter reflects their morality.[8] The adjustments to the epigram were likely a done by Poliziano, one of Lorenzo’s teachers.[2]
I’m so glad you asked!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the bottom photos of the house! The front entrance is beautiful, with the door, many windows, the plant, then the upper window with the slightly tilted shutter, then the three tiny windows or openings above. Magical! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Lisa. I’m so glad you love it, too! We lived nearby and I never took a photo of that house. Finally I took it 2 weeks ago! I was so happy it looked the same way it did many years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What fun your choices are this week, Patti. I like the ferns (grtnd if you have your fingers on the wrong keys). The apartment is really attractive and I do like that stone arch.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Janet. Thanks!! 😀😀. Isn’t that building amazing? I can’t wait to take a look inside when it’s finished. And the stone arch was always a favorite when we lived in Michigan. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That fern is just perfection in a photograph, Patti, but I love your wonderfully contrasting portrait too. Like Tina, I wondered what it said? I think I agree with the quote, and certainly it’s hard to separate the two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Jo. I found out what the epigram means! It praises the beauty of the girl and the skill of the painter. See Tina’s comment above for the full explanation. Glad you like the fern. It was in the front yard of our friends’ house in Sydney. 😀😀. Have a great week, too.
LikeLike
Thanks for the explanation, Patti. Live and learn 🤣💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post, Patti. Your straight lines do reinforce the curve ones. I love the building and how you captured it. Also your opener, stunning photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Sofia. Many thanks! I never thought about it before–how the straight lines reinforce the curved ones, but once I started noticing it, I found them everywhere–even my toaster! I appreciate your kind words. Big smile. 😀😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve taken us on quite a journey this week, but shown us some splendid curves. That building in Boston makes quite a statement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Margaret. Yes a journey! I guess I have! I am hoping to see the interior of that apartment building at some point. Fascinating architecture, isn’t it? The building is going up fast. Only half the exterior cladding was up about a month ago. I’ll have to post a finished photo at some point!! Have a great week and thanks for your thoughtful comments, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, yes, do post the finished product in due course.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That quote from Robert Henri is such an interesting one to reflect on for this challenge, and your photos certainly illustrate beautifully how effective the juxtaposition of straight and curved can be. It makes me want to look again at my own choices to see who many have straight lines too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Sarah. Sorry for the delay in replying. Things are a little crazy around here. Getting ready to travel again. Thanks so much for your thoughts on this one. Yes, his quote really has me wondering about the juxtaposition. I think I’m going to be looking everywhere for that! Take care and have a good week.
LikeLike
Thank you for introducing Ghirlandaio’s masterpiece, Patti. The fern is remarkable. The architect mixed rectilinear elements with curves is beautifully captured.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Amy. Thanks so much. I’m sorry for the late reply, but we’re getting ready to travel again and things are getting crazy! I’m delighted you like the fern. We saw it in our friends’ front yard in Sydney. Take care and have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy your trip, Patti! Looking forward to seeing photos! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Amy. I underestimated how much I had to do before we left…but I’m going through the list of things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Straight lines do reinforce curved ones – I am sure you are right. A beautiful post with interesting curves and quotes, Patti! Love the ferns, a wonderful image I would gladly have on my wall. A lovely portrait of a lovely lady. The curved arch is very special, and its curve is enhanced by the clouds and the bright blue sky it stands against. And the fairy tale house – I am sure there is a sign with my name on it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life is getting away from me this week! Sorry for the late reply, but we’re getting ready to travel again.😀 I love what you wrote about the fairy tale house. We did go inside once, but I remember that it had smallish rooms, a bit dark. Not as perfect as I imagined! Sorry to disappoint you. 😀😒. But I still love the exterior. Take care and have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Hi
LikeLike
I love the curves and color in your picture of the ferns, Patti!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Siobhan. I saw those ferns on our friends’ front lawn! I was amazed at their graceful beauty. I’m glad you agree. I’m catching up on my replies. We’re getting ready to travel next week. My apologies about my slow reply.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a cool collection of curves for us to enjoy this week. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Cee. Thanks so much….I appreciate that! My apologies for my late reply. We’re getting ready to travel next week. It’s a bit crazy. 😀😀. Take care and have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Brilliant quote and all your examples, especially the first and the last two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Manja. Thank you! The ferns and the house are popular this week. 😀. I always appreciate your thoughts. Sorry my reply is late, but as I’ve written above…we’re getting ready to travel next week and things are a bit hectic. Have a good weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful gallery of curves!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Aletta! I appreciate your thoughts and apologize for my late reply. As I’ve mentioned above, we’re packing and getting ready to travel next week. A bit crazy. Take care and have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Excellent. curves. LOVE the re-NAY-sahnce painting. As much as smudgy Impressionism is my favorite, I greatly admire the colorful, precise realism that came before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, John. I agree! I am astounded at the humanistic ideals and visions that sparked the re-NAY-sahnce!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I concur. Robert Henri is right. And you did a great job at showing us what it means, or what it can look like.
I do love the home in Newton. Would love to stumble across that as well, certainly fairy tale like. It would be nice to see the inside, wouldn’t it? Donna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Donna. Thank you! I’m sorry my reply is so late, but as you can see above, we’re getting ready to travel next week, so things are a bit hectic. Thanks so much for your thoughts on the fairy tale house. I did see the inside and it was a bit dark and the rooms were small, but then again it’s an older house. The open floor plan didn’t exist back then! Take care and have a good weekend.
LikeLike
I love that beautiful composition of the Boston building and the star of the piece: the gently drooping ferns supporting fallen flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, IJ. Thanks so much! Those ferns were a happy discovery on our friends’ front lawn in Sydney.😀😀. Take care and have a great weekend. Any travel plans?
LikeLike
[Image]
Get Outlook for Android ________________________________
LikeLike