On "Two Nudes"

I read

the painters bio, but couldn't find this painting. Interesting fellow, and from reading the descriptions of his art, you seem to have captured the essence of his sexual oddity/frustration/fantasy. I found this juxtaposed to Winter Kitchen in tone and mood, but entertaining. It did push me to search out the artist.

For Simply Me. I think that T2 is referring to "Self Portrait with Patricia Preece" (SS 2nd wife) about the time of their marriage ,1937 or therabouts. The Picture is sometimes called "The Leg of Mutton Nude, hence I presume T2's inspiration."

Excellent poem Tristesse, I think you have captured the essence of the picture with an economy of art which itself reminds me of SS.

Intriguing

This is indeed intriguing. Like simply_me, I searched in vain for the painting titled "Two Nudes" in order to better appreciate the poem. Then ishtut's guidance provided a painting I have a nodding acquaintance with and everything fell into place. When I learned that the painting was also known as “The Leg of Mutton Nude,” I could more fully appreciate the extent of Tristesse2's creative expansion of what the painting says:

It is not simply a poem that describes the painting but rather an imaginative extension that captures the obsessive spirit of Spencer's love for his second wife and her resigned enjoyment of that love as suggested by the painting. There is a delightful congruity between the mood of the painting and the mood of the poem. In fact, I think the poems is something of a masterpiece in its deft portrayal of the relationship.

At the very least, this poems works magic in my mind and increases my appreciation of the painting.

A5

"domesticity" what a strange word, why does it work here. At lot of strange words that work, one of the marks of a good poet is what you can get away with.
P.S I dread looking at the painting. Look like S2?

Recommended in NPR

highly

This is one of your best among the many that are so well written. While I enjoyed learning about the specifics others have mentioned and what you wrote as a footnote, I also think the poem stands out on its own.

A masterpiece indeed

Beautifully worked through - a real pleasure to digest. S.O.

.

I believe the name of the painting Tristesse refers to is "Double Nude Portrait: The Artist and his Second Wife" from 1937, which is in the Tate Gallery. This is the painting with the uncooked leg of mutton in it. "Self Portrait with Patricia Preece," also from 1937, in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, is another dual nude portrait, but from a different angle (Spencer seems to be kneeling below Preece rather than crouched above her). The poem is very evocative and descriptive of the image in the painting, though the sexual component is incorrect historically--Preece was a Lesbian who never consummated her marriage to Spencer, but instead continued her relationship with Dorothy Hepworth.

Does that matter? I don't think so, particularly if the specific reference to Spencer is removed. The painting is described in the poem and the background story it evokes in the poem's author is clear within context.

For me, using both "threadbare" and "frugal" is a bit of overkill in emphasizing the poverty. I would suggest removing one of them, but that is simply suggestion. It is a good, very visual poem.

5

I love it when a painting provokes questions.... Love the last stanza

~

Not a painting I was familiar with so I had to go and look it up ... thanks for that Tess

*****

Five.