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Matthew Cook
The Curse - Female w/ Sunflowers, Ode to Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Lady Shalott"

2023

About the Item

This is my take on the classic Pre-Raphaelite painting subject and poem “The Lady of Shalott,” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It is also inspired by the John Everett Millais painting, “The Bridesmaid.” “The Curse” shows the moment of realization when the Lady of Shalott understands that the mysterious curse placed upon her has taken hold and her fate has become known, after gazing out her window onto the approaching Lancelot. My painting shares with “The Bridesmaid” the themes of superstition, and external forces at work, but then twists what was prayerful hope into despair, tragedy, and unrequited love. The painting further calls on these themes with the sunflowers, referencing the Greek myth of Clytie and Helios, where the water nymph Clytie was transformed into a flower that followed the sun across the sky after her own tragic wrongdoings. –Matthew Cook This painting is framed is a custom wood frame created by the artist. Matthew Cook The Curse Oil & Acrylic on Aluminum 36h x 24w in 53h x 38w x 1d in (framed) 134.62h x 96.52w x 2.54d cm MLC019 Bio: Matthew Cook is a realist painter, born in Toledo, Ohio. Best known for his highly detailed portraits and still life paintings, he creates work that show his take on historical and traditional painting subjects and themes through a contemporary lens. Cook received his B.F.A. in Art Education (2013) and his M.F.A. in Painting (2017) from Bowling Green State University and has shown his work throughout the United States. Statement: I have always loved paintings that are about people; about who they are, their struggles and triumphs, and their relationships. Whether the subjects are real or fictional, their stories are always fascinating to me. Inspired by works of the Dutch Masters, French Academic painters, and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, my paintings tell the stories of people with a highly detailed naturalistic approach. My paintings are crafted using an underpainting that consists of the color complements of the painting subjects, then consecutive layers of transparent and semi-transparent glazes of color. The process is a slightly modified version to that of realist painters throughout history. In addition to their process my work also calls back to the subjects and themes used by historic realist painters to create my own interpretations of religious painting, commissioned portraiture and depictions of classic literary works. MATTHEW COOK b. Toledo, OH, 1987 EDUCATION 2017 MFA, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 2012 BFA, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH EXHIBITIONS 2024 Matthew Cook, Gallery VICTOR, Chicago, IL Anachronism, Dianne Kidd Art Gallery, Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH 2018 Wrap It UP, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Manifest INDA 13, Cincinnati, OH Au Natural: The Nude in the 21st Century, Clatsop Comm College Art Ctr, Astoria, OR NOAPS Small Works Exhibition, Richland Fine Art Gallery, Nashville, TN 2016 Group of Nine, Hudson Gallery, Sylvania, OH Arts X, Bowling Green State University Arts Center, Bowling Green, OH Imago Dei, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, Bowling Green, OH 2015 Viewpoint 47, Cincinnati Art Club, Cincinnati, OH NoWOH Art Show, Bowling Green State University Art Center, Bowling Green, OH 2014 Texas National Art Competition, Steven F. Austin University, Nacagdoches, TX Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, OH Overture III, Leso Gallery, Toledo, OH 2013 Overture II, Leso Gallery, Toledo, OH NoWOH Art Show, Bowling Green State University Art Center, Bowling Green, OH Bowling Green State University BFA Thesis Exhibition, Bowling Green, OH 2012 Juried Show, Findlay Art League, Findlay, OH NoWOH Art Show, Bowling Green State University Art Center, Bowling Green, OH
  • Creator:
  • Creation Year:
    2023
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 53 in (134.62 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: MLC0191stDibs: LU554314785272

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