Contented with such random consolations
As the wind deposits
In slithered and too ample pockets.
—Hart Crane
Egon Schiele, Standing Girl in Plaid Garment, 1908The Artist Speaks
She came to me tonight, without my having to ask, just like the black cat that greets my open door. I let her in, of course. I’d be a fool not to, I mean, look at her. She doesn’t even know how beautiful she is. She needs me to show her. First I run my hands through her hair. That prim look just doesn’t work. ‘You need wind in your hair,’ I tell her, ‘and take off your coat.’ Are you sure? she says with a smile that doesn’t sit well on her face. She’s naked under the coat. ‘No,’ I say, and all of a sudden she’s shy. Fickle girl. I grab the plaid throw from the chair, the one the cat curls up in, and drape it over her shoulder. The thing reeks of cat and I must suppress my amusement at her obvious discomfort. But that perfumed powder she uses makes me gag. I give her a strong drink and watch her take it down. The poor girl can’t stand it, but will do anything I ask. She thinks I love her, but only because she thinks all men love her. They don’t. But I know how to make them. I know how to make the whole world love her. Oh hell, at least want her. A ladder won’t do. No. She must be standing. Tall. My god look at those fingers! No I won’t use a ladder to view her. No one must look down upon my standing girl, my bent and rebuilt Madonna. She will be the ladder, tall as Liberty! And eyes, eyes, innumerable eyes will climb up and down her, forever!
The Model Speaks
I went to him tonight. Of course he let me in. He took pity on me. I was shivering under my coat. He’s kind, no matter that they call him blasphemous, immoral and depraved. Why the very idea makes me laugh! He’s as touchy and fragile as a butterfly. They’ll never know the damage they’ve done. What could be more blasphemous, immoral and depraved than to chain the hands of an artist or to consign his work to flames? His only sin is that he only sees the surfaces. But I can see his heart. He thinks he doesn’t love me but I know he doesn’t love his whores either. Those filthy street cats aren’t like me. I could have anyone, but I chose him. He insists on humiliating me. Giving me that foul blanket to wear and that revolting drink. Blowing the smoke from his incessant cigarettes into my hair as he musses it all up. But I know that he’s only trying to make me look like a whore because he’s afraid of what is pure and light and whole. He’s afraid he doesn’t deserve it. But I’ll show him. I’ll win. I’ll make him honest and free with the purity of my love. I have all the time in the world.
Egon Schiele 1890-1918Note: This is a fictional sketch inspired by Schiele and Crane. Historical facts have been modified.
Just because I love it so much here's the full text of Hart Crane's "Chaplinesque":
ReplyDeleteWe make our meek adjustments,
Contented with such random consolations
As the wind deposits
In slithered and too ample pockets.
For we can still love the world, who find
A famished kitten on the step, and know
Recesses for it from the fury of the street,
Or worn torn elbow coverts.
We will sidestep, and to the final smirk
Dally the doom of that inevitable thumb
That slowly chafes its puckered index toward us,
Facing the dull squint with what innocence
And what surprise!
And yet these fine collapses are not lies
More than the pirouettes of any pliant cane;
Our obsequies are, in a way, no enterprise.
We can evade you, and all else but the heart:
What blame to us if the heart live on.
The game enforces smirks; but we have seen
The moon in lonely alleys make
A grail of laughter of an empty ash can,
And through all sound of gaiety and quest
Have heard a kitten in the wilderness.
I think you've got Egon Schiele nailed.. don't know of Hart Crane.
ReplyDeleteVery absorbing and unique. I really enjoyed the sketch.
The artist chains the Muse. The Muse frees the artist.
ReplyDeleteLoved this, loved this, loved this.
I liked this a lot. The two points of view give real clarity (and veil) to the situation.
ReplyDelete'She thinks I love her, but only because she thinks all men love her. They don't. But I know how to make them.' Loved this part! - artist & subject; the clash of the titanic egos!
Loved the dichotomy, the clash of egos.
ReplyDeleteYes, the clash of egos. The sad part is I feel that I understand these people. I think that's why I forced the Hart Crane connection; it adds a little humility.
ReplyDeleteThis one was interesting. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteDon't know anything about the artist or the painting. (No surprises there, then.) But I love what you've done with them. Your narratives were really good, especially of course the second one once you'd read the first and wanted to know her point of view. Do more of these sketches inspired by paintings. Please? Pretty please?
ReplyDeleteOh my, this is fantastic. The things we tell ourselves. The truth that is usually found in the between. The view of the artist of himself/herself. The view of a woman of herself and her beauty. So much treasure to mine here.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree you got Schiele, and Klimt for that matter.
I'm not familiar with this artist, but looked him up. Seems like a very perceptive insight you have on him, especially considering he was raised without the influence of a mother or female in general. The misunderstandings of why the model is there, and the real reason, ie: the model thinks she can "save" the man, not necessarily the artist. Love pieces like this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete"eyes, eyes, innumerable eyes" - very cool.
ReplyDeleteVery much enjoyed reading this, two very strong but different characters coming through.
(and thanks for including the pic of Schiele, I never realised he was that easy on the eye!)
I'm absolutely speechless! This work just about blew me away! Well written!
ReplyDeleteFrom "interesting" to "blew me away", well all right!
ReplyDeleteFran: It's nice to be asked. I think I can oblige.
Lou: The reason I'm not very pleased with this sketch is because the material is so rich. It really demands a novel.
Shannon: I think it's great that you looked him up. He got poor treatment from his mother, and even worse from the men in his life.
Maria: The idea of two potential lovers coming together, representing two completely different worlds, is a fascinating subject to me. There are several stunning photos of Schiele. He could have been a model, himself. His early death is one of the great tragedies of modern art.
Absolutely love this Mark! The juxtaposition is almost hidden, but revealed so clearly - much talent to pull that off. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteVery well done. Literary and compelling. The clashing viewpoints were impressively rendered and effective.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that this blew my mind. I love how you creted it, like a collision of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteNot knowing the artist nor the muse I could imagine you speaking of a young model starting out being 'befriended' by a celebrity maker photographer. Too real and too nasty. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your generous words.
ReplyDeleteCascade Lily: The model here is entirely a product of my imagination. The artist is a fictional interpretation of my understanding of Schiele, but I never considered him a predator.
You never fail to surprise me, Mark. Your use of the English language is just phenomenal. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd because of that, I've given you an award at my blog! :) Come on over to get it!
http://52weeksofwordage.blogspot.com
Beautifully written
ReplyDeleteI've been saying that very thing about the whole Vienna scene from that period. Someone has already written one called "The Painted Kiss: A Novel." I look forward to yours.
ReplyDelete