In this blog, I look back at some stirrings and silences from understandings of landscapes, and working tables at ROM (2014) and relate it to a recent walk through ROM with my son Sahil, where we went through paintings by Flemish masters, did sketch studies and walked slowly through Bloor and St.George areas of Line 2.
Line 2
Over the years, we have developed a personal relation with line 2 and the many stations and people associated with them. Old Mills is where I meet a mentor who has become a confidante and friend over the years for a walk at least once a month- when the weather allows. Runnymede has nuances of different cafes and High Park-Hannah and the local histories through discussions made for many learning points. As we went past St.George and turned left, the architecture and feel of Bloor Toronto brought back many memories of past years.
Mindfulness Break- What elements of earth, wind, water, fire could you see in this phase of the trip. Eg- Saw a stall for hot dogs which were kept warm (fire) in the cold (water-wind-snowflakes) and was careful on the earth elements outside and in lower part of the body- as roads are slippery when wet
Flemish Masters: Diana and her nymphs-Rubens Studio
Food for thought: Relate to one work of art or exhibit in a museum walk and then reflect upon it in the evening or day after- with a sense of history of the art piece and what elements- awakening factors or any other element of mindfulness can be seen in it
History: Rubens was influenced by the Radical Naturalism of Caravaggio. Have spent many hours over the decades studying and admiring the Caravaggisti school of Malta.
In my walk in Art Institute of Chicago (2009-December) came across a special exhibition on Caravaggio’s -Supper at Emmaeus – in which the figures are not idealized saints but ordinary, even coarse persons. Christ is beardless, youthful and present at the same level as the apostles who are presented as day to day rough-handed peasants with spontaneous gestures such as the apostle’s arms through out as if to leap from his chair.
Note- I have kept a copy of Supper at Emmaus in my clinic and sometimes, after having established sufficient rapport and confidence in the therapeutic relation go through the mindfulness and spiritual elements of this painting.
Mindfulness exercise- compare the way Realism and Anatomy are depicted by Caravaggio and Rubens, what awakening factors are involved. (Investigation, Energy, Joy, Tranquility, Concentration, Equipoise)
Link to Rubens
The Italian years -1600-1608- of Rubens were when he likely saw works of Caravaggio and a version of Supper at Emmaus. He did not merely copy Caravaggio, but assimilated and transformed his ideas for Northern European tastes and contexts. He adapted the dramatic light and emotional intensity into large-scale movements rather than Caravaggio’s frozen theatrical moments.
His realistic figures (as is seen in the painting – Diana and her nymphs hunting- show a combination of classical idealization of human form which is more heroic and less gritty.
GALLERY-SOME WALKS AND THINKING PLACES-2025
Exercise – what elements are seen in these pictures (earth, water, wind, fire, anything else)
In Next Blog- will examine some Photography from Wildlife photography of the year-2025 at ROM and see how the interaction of humans with nature, other species and the planet is a driving force for the exhibits and a point for growth.
EARLIER PERSPECTIVES
ROM WALKS-2014- A TWO HUNDRED YEAR WORK TABLE-1815
The work table was a piece of furniture used specifically by women who would group around it to sew, do needlework or play games. The work table also had a more personal purpose , as in this example which is fitted with an adjustable writing board. It is a reminder of the lost art of personal writing where, through letters, diaries and journals, women contributed greatly to the preservation of memories of the past
Work Table- Thomas Nisbet 1777-1850
Saint John, New Brunswick- Maple-Mahogony silk-1815
Sigmund Samuel Trust
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 years
See blog 2014-200 year Work Table
EARLY RUBENS-2019-ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO
WORKSHEET
Prashant Bhatt's notes 