Blue Arabesque: A Search for the Sublime
by Patricia Hampl
Published by Harcourt, Inc.
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Reviewed by Lauretta Ali
Blue Arabesque by the inspired Patricia Hampl is as much a work of art as the paintings she describes. Her story begins in the spring of 1972 at the Chicago Art Institute. There she is held spellbound by a profound piece of artwork created by Henri Matisse. She describes her enchantment of his painting of a woman gazing into a fishbowl. The author's remembrance of this finding is much more detailed. Her imagery is that of a poet describing a chance encounter with an object whose beauty has to be seen full and in the flesh. She uses vivid mastery of words to keep the readers haunting interest.
Patricia introduces us to Henri Matisse and delights over his use of Moroccan and African influences in his artistry. She explores his use of young women who modeled for him and gives an interesting eye into the life of Henriette Darricarrere who posed from 1920 to 1927. The author also describes the limited though profound life of Jerome Hill whose documentary "Film Portrait" won the 1972 London Film Festival award shortly after his death from cancer in 1971.
In order to truly understand and appreciate the talents of this author, you must read the book. Her journeys are portraits in themselves. She tells of her travels, not like an author or a writer, but like a griot* whose stories are often woven with greatness and sheer excitement. I enjoyed my voyage with Patricia Hampl in her search for the sublime. I have only touched on a fraction of the stories this book encompasses. I urge all to allow this author to share her colorful and delightful experiences with you--a trip well taken.
( gri-ot -- a member of a caste of professional oral historians in the Mali Empire)
Armchair Interviews says: Truly a "trip well taken."