Page 54 - Studio International - May 1968

the blueprints here provided. The designs are some drawn from Teutonic legend—Siegfried and THE ARTS COUNCIL are showing a selection of
elegant, and beautifully placed on the paper. Kriemhild, for instance. In an odd way, the show Indian paintings and drawings from the Archer
Picabia's handwriting is very personal. reminds me of the recent Lichtenstein exhibition Collection. The choice leans towards the work
at the Tate. Here once more are those improbably which Indian artists did for the British, and to-
Two other exhibitions cater to rather special muscular heroes, those beautiful girls. It seems that wards folk paintings of recent date. It is hard not
passions of mine. At ROLAND, BROWSE AND DEL- the world of the Sturm und Drang has now taken to enjoy the sensual exuberance of the Indian
BANCO there is a series of drawings by Fuseli, refuge in comic-strips. world. Many of the subjects are candidly erotic.
recently discovered in New Zealand, and now lent But it is really Fuseli's view of woman which makes I cannot do better than quote the catalogue
by the AUCKLAND CITY ART GALLERY. I suppose one him interesting. All those menacing females, with description of one painting in particular:
must say it in a small voice, but I usually prefer their strange hair-styles, high bosoms, and brace- A lady, whose lover is absent, embraces a flowing
Fuseli's drawings to Blake's. Some Blake designs lets like manacles! One of them turns her back to tree and a plantain, whose cool trunk will, she
are unforgettable (the Whirlwind of Lovers for us and raises a curtain—the fold of material looks hopes, cool the heat of her passion.
example), but Fuseli's are much more varied and like a whip which she holds in her hand. And there The folk-paintings are perhaps the most interesting
surprising—and, from the technical point of view, are others just as disturbing. Should one dismiss of all, because they are so primitive, and have so
so much better. And, perhaps because of some per- this fantasy world as 'too obvious' ? I don't think little to do with European conventions of represen-
versity of my own, I find Fuseli's fantasies very so. The point is that the images are so fully tation. They were made in Indian villages,
acceptable. The drawings on view belong for the realized. Every stroke in the drawing tells. How- bazaars and pilgrim-centres. The Kalighat paint-
most part to his best period, around 1790-1810. ever mannered he gets, Fuseli remains a good ings (among the first folk-paintings to be discovered
There are a number of mythological subjects, and draftsman, one whose every line is alive. and appreciated) come from the great Kali

Above Man Ray Fer Rouge 1966
bronze, painted red, edition of ten
Hanover Gallery, London
Left Picabia Mechanical composition 1919
watercolour 30 x 22 in.
Hanover Gallery, London