Thursday, September 4, 2008

SKYWATCH FRIDAY – Homage to Edvard Munch (Lake Erie)


In my post-secondary years, I was an Art History major. The richness it gave me, the insight into so many cultures and historical eras can’t be understated. One of my favorite artists remains the Norwegian Expressionist, Edvard Munch (1863-1944). Munch (pronounced kind of like moonk) is most famous for the much-parodied painting, The Scream (tortured skeletal person striking a McCauley Culkin “Home Alone” pose on a bridge under a blood-red sunset sky). But what I liked best among Munch’s works are his moonlit landscapes; works like “The Dance of Life, Lady of the Sea, Moonlight, and Sommernacht Am Strand (picture).

Here on the north shore of Lake Erie, it’s been hot and hazy for quite some time, making it difficult to get any good Skywatch daytime shots. There’ve been no interesting piles of fluffy cumulus, no mackerel skies, only a few mare’s tails too thin to photograph well. Sunset is the only time that we get anything dramatic. Then the sun often breaks through, and the colors are striking, even though smog-created. When I saw the sun dipping low and making this pillar of light on the water I immediately thought of Munch, and dashed out with my camera to see if I could capture it. The first shot has the most well-defined column, but I also like the second one, taken a bit later, with the kayakers heading back to shore. And in both, I like the contrast of the bright ball of the sun and the dark ball of the float, deceptively appearing to be the same size.



Munch photo - www.postershop.com
For more beautiful skies around the world, visit Skywatch. For some reason I've been getting Errors when I've tried to include a live link to SWF in my posts, so please scroll down and use the link in the margin.

30 comments:

Norm said...

wow! that's fantastic, you have a very impressive sunset pictures, I like the color..

Pretty Life Online said...

Perfect catch for sky watch!Mine's up too hope you can drop dy!

bobbie said...

Lovely pictures. Yes, the pillar of light is wonderful in the first, but I love the second as well.

Rose said...

Beautiful, serene photos. They make me wish I was there.

Sylvia K said...

I've been having the same trouble with Sky Watch. Really wanted to add it to my blog and I do have some lovely sky photos I'd like to share. I'm also an admirer of Munch -- the same ones you named in particular. I love your pictures! They're a wonderful escape these days from the politics!

me ann my camera said...

Very lovely and I can see the resemblance to the poster of Munch's work. Your photo also reminded me of Monet's, Sunrise, but of course in reverse.

Kathie Brown said...

Deborah, I love your moody photos and the analogy to Munch. I had not seen the image of his painting that you included. It is lovely and reminds me some of Van Gogh's style. It is a perfect coupling with your photos.

Quiet Paths said...

Thanks for the art history on the dude from Scream. I didn't know about him much and I really was drawn in by the sample you posted. Now, about those photos...I love the fact that you have sunsets. Because of the mountains those are hard to find some days. Beautiful captures. Where are the kayaks going? Are there islands to explore?

Quiet Paths said...

I meant, because of OUR mountains we don't have many dramatic sunsets.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Your homage is perfect.

Jientje said...

an say anything that makes sense. Have to come back later, but I love your photography. You captured it so well!

Brad Myers said...

Nice photos, but even better story.

Anonymous said...

Nice, Deborah. The lake looks very different in each photo, as does the sky. And I have to admit, the only Munch I knew was the scream, but I can see there are others I'd like much better.

Kelly said...

Oh wow! Great photos! I think the first one is my favorite! Great beauty up and around us everywhere!

Anonymous said...

These are lovely. Very nice post.

EG CameraGirl said...

It certainly is a lovely photo! Happy Sky Watch Friday. ;-)

Columbo said...

Nice posting, I enjoyed both. I remember being on Lake Erie in the summer...very humid and hot. Port Clinton, OH....
Have a great SWF.

Anonymous said...

nice skywatch Friday photos

magiceye said...

beautiful sunset enhanced by the reflectionwell captured!

Daniel Chérouvrier said...

Are you linked to the French family Godin ?
There was a famous philantrope industrial on the 19th century.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Just splendorous photos!

Thanks for visiting and comment on my blog!

kesslerdee said...

Beautiful- and I really appreciate the comments linking it to the painting- you enriched my world just a little bit more today! Thanks!

Knitting Mania said...

A gorgeous sunset over Lake Erie...amazing.

Thanks for your visit today...

Dar's Foto Faze said...

I love the reflection on the water.

DeniseinVA said...

Very clever to position the buoy/ball with the setting sun. A lovely photo.

Gayle said...

The lake goes on forever under that beautiful sky.

robin ann mcintosh said...

check out my blog for some link love!

beautiful, mesmerizing photos.

Mary said...

Lovely sunset pics!

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful photographs.

PJ said...

I came here for IRFD but I also do SWF and I like your post very much. I loved art history when I was a college girl and I agree, the education I received by attending all those classes can't be measured.