3 Art Experts Analyze That Historic Nancy Pelosi vs. Donald Trump Photo:

[tblue37]

https://www.vogue.com/article/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-white-house-photo-analyzed/amp?verso=true&__twitter_impression=true

3 Art Experts Analyze That Historic Nancy Pelosi vs. Donald Trump Photo
MICHELLE RUIZ

Some see Renaissance influences; others, hints of Norman Rockwell. Have you noticed the Benjamin Franklin bust in the background and the clock on the mantle bisecting the frame? The instantly iconic photo of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi literally standing up to Donald Trump in a contentious cabinet-room meeting about Syria on Wednesday is sparking a great many takes, both about the political dynamics—Pelosi stood out as the lone woman at a table lined with men—and the photo’s artistry. It was snapped and released by an uncredited White House photographer.

Tellingly, the president perceived the photo of a powerful woman asserting herself as somehow incriminating: He tweeted it on Wednesday night with the cantankerous caption: “Nervous Nancy’s unhinged meltdown.” But it was quickly reclaimed as more evidence of the first and only female Speaker’s political courage; Pelosi herself made it her Twitter background photo.

Discourse soon raged about the photo’s composition, lighting, and even its likenesses to The Last Supper. To further examine what will surely go down as a historical Trump-era photo, Vogue asked an art history professor, a museum curator, and two former coeditors of the Tabloid Art History Twitter account for their close reads.

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Much more at link:

https://www.vogue.com/article/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-white-house-photo-analyzed/amp?verso=true&__twitter_impression=true

[tblue37]

1. Be sure to read the art experts' actual analyses. These paragraphs I have posted

are just the set-up for the analyses.

The first one analyzes the photo in terms of the ascendancy of female power. It is especially interesting.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Comparing it to the Last Supper

There are multiple Judases in that photo.

[keithbvadu2]

11. Apostle to waiter: table for 26 please.

Apostle to waiter: table for 26 please.

But there are only 13 of you.

We're only sitting on one side.

[Hekate]

3. Very interesting, tblue. When that pic was first published I spent a long time analyzing it myself

It was so striking I just had to figure out how all the elements came together. It is a wonderful depiction of a powerful moment in history, and everyone can see it.

I hope the "uncredited White House photographer" gets named -- perhaps when Trump is gone.

[UTUSN]

4. Or, like this

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212590872

With the Truth pointing to the Power that is out of frame:

[ChubbyStar]

5. Wow this is Fascinating I loved the TABLE angle

"Another really significant table scene is The Beheading of St. John the Baptist by Caravaggio. The king’s daughter had danced at this party, and so as a thank you gift, she was asked what she wanted, and she said the head of John the Baptist. So he’s beheaded and brought before the table setting. Table scenes, I guess, can bring people together or tear them apart."


I'm guessing this was the later!

[ALBliberal]

6. I just love that Trump posted it first as a put down

and now we have claimed it as our own. Has to drive him nuts.
Also thinking that the photo “quality” would be diluted when posted on Twitter (that happens on FB) so I very much hope the photographer holds on to the original and is eventually named and interviewed.
Excellent photo showing the confidence and power of Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

[Beaverhausen]

7. here is a link to the painting on the back wall

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/charles-edouard-armand-dumaresq-the-declaration-of-independence-of-the-united-states-of-america-july-4-1776

[LiberalLovinLug]

8. Yup. This could go down as the iconic photo that represents the turning point in Trump's presidency

and the coming impeachment. With evidence so compelling that it will force enough R senators to vote for conviction and removal.

[jayschool2013]

9. The last three years

The last three years has me thinking more of Bruegel's "Tower of Babel"

[BigmanPigman]

10. I noticed the stark differences as well as symmetry.

Personally I am a big fan of composition and symmetry was perfect for this photo since it almost draws a line down the middle. The differences between the standing and sitting was pronounced. Her very bright blue dress is not only symbolic of the Dems/liberals but it is contrast with all the MEN (another contrast) wearing their suits/uniforms. Well done!

[lagomorph777]

12. This image will resonate through history.

Very interesting analyses too.