Archive for August, 2009
Author: gama
Genre painter Vermeer mainly used white, red madder, green earth, raw umber and ivory black, yellow ochre and vermilion. This painting, Girl Asleep, is the earliest work by Vermeer depicting his favoured choice of subject of one or two figures in a domestic interior. The wine glass and unsettled objects on the table bring to our mind that some social occasion has just finished.
The theme goes directly back to Rembrandt. The handling of the light, as well as the deep colouring and application of the heavy paste in the execution, resembles to the Rembrand-like techniques of the early 1640s. Vermeer had panted those moments of life wherein one feels alone and immersed in one's thoughts.
Here in The Girl Reading a Letter, the master artist had put exotic articles around the figure. The Turkish carpet, a precious one, painted here is seen in many genre painters’ works of that period (17th century). Such carpets were necessary to protect the residents from severe Dutch winter.
The presence of curtain gives us the feel that it was put there for protecting the painting itself, as it was customary to guard painting in Dutch house of the time. The handling of light, as well as the deep colouring and application of heavy paste in the execution, resembles to the Rambrandt-like technique of the early 1640s. Writer of this article, Naval Langa is a short story writer from India. He writes essays and articles on various subjects, including the art of paintings.
For other articles about genre paintings please visit the following sites. Here the articles contain detailed reviews of paintings and the images of paintings.
I write short stories and articles about the paintings. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/genre-paintings-the-paintings-of-common-people-1169181.html
Author: gama
The trip to Ibeju-Lekki seemed long, the heavy down pour of rain didn’t help matters neither, don’t blame me, it was my first time. The seemingly long distance soon disappeared once I and my crew arrived at the compound of the Onibeju of Lekki, Oba Rafiu Olusegun Salami.
As we drove into the town, serenity and order greeted us, and I was quick to ask myself can this be a part of Lagos? As we approached the King’s Palace my driver was quick to point out the changes that had taken place on the road, noting that it was formerly not tarred. uummm I said to myself.
After waiting for about two hours, the Oba finally came out to receive us, I was told before then by his Personal Assistant that the King does not come out in the rain,that was one of the reasons for the delay. Uummm I said to myself again.
The king turned out to be more friendly and accommodating than I thought. He answered every question with precision and clarity without trying to dodge any. The Onibeju started by telling us how Ibeju came to being. It’s like this;
The founder of Ibeju hails originally from Ile-Ife, but when he got to Ibeju he saw three parcels of land and just like every natural human instinct, he chose the bigger one. That singular act gave birth to the name Ibee-ju which means that place is bigger. With a big geographical landscape, today the Onibeju controls 175,000 towns and villages.
With his exposure as a widely travelled man, Oba Rafiu Salami says his desire is to make Ibeju like the Dubai of Africa. So far he has brought meaningful development to his kingdom in the space of 1 year, and 8 months of his reign. The presence of Petrol Stations, new schools, industries, new buildings, other construction works and even cars testifies to this.
Now talking about cars, the Onibeju informed us he had given out over 15 cars since his ascension. Wao! Little wonder, a quick glance at the Oba’s palace will show a fleet of choice cars, all of which he told us were gifts from people. There were about 10 cars parked at the premises on our arrival. Chevrolet, Nissan, Mercedes, Ford, you name it.
With a mass landscape, peaceful environment and orderly people, the Onibeju describes the potentials in the land as enormous and therefore called on government and private individuals to invest in the land. He further added that Ibeju is a tourist delight, highlighting places like La campaign Tropicana, lekki beach, as well as the presence of quite a number of hotels. To this end he’s also developing a website to showcase Ibeju, her people, culture and potentials.
If you think being an Oba is all glamorous and easy, let me shock you with this, Oba Rafiu says he starts his day as early as 6.00am and doesn’t get to rest until about 11pm. According to him the only time he gets to rest is when he is out of the country. Interesting! I must say, I thought it was only top CEO’s and Government officials that have such busy schedules. Talking about government, the Onibeju says Monarchs should not be left out in governance, as this was the case before independence. They should be carried along because “the words of Elders are the words of wisdom” As a religious leader, his view about religion is this,”religion is in the mind, religion without character is rubbish, the end will justify the means”. Food for thought I must confess.
From a strong polygamous home, the Onibeju started his educational background in Ibeju, from where he moved on to Ibadan where he had his secondary school education. He later got a degree in Insurance from the University of Ife, then moved on to Abuja where he joined Nicon Noga Hilton hotel as a staff. He later retired from there after many years of service.
Just like any Ibeju man his favourite food is Eba and egusi soup, and also beans and dodo. Oba Rafiu Olusegun Salami is blessed with wives and children and says as an African man the door is still open for more.
Watch out for the television version of this interview on the Goodlife show coming soon!!!
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Goodlife is an online and offline advertising and promotion company. For more info,visit www.goodlife.com.ng Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/inside-oba-rafiu-olusegun-salamis-world-1167732.html
