The painting mesmerized. Couldn’t tear myself away. In a spell, my thoughts were of Holly and her Sad Café.
Woman at Her Toilette : Louis Anquetin – French (1861-1932)
It was in the Salon titled Post Impressionism at the AGO. I was floating after having just seen Monet’s Water Lilies. Then I saw her, combing her long red hair.
At my mirror I braid silver thread through my hair.
“- though images of women dressing, are traditional within European art, the figure’s direct gaze and pronounced makeup suggest the she is a courtesan, a sex worker who catered to upper class patrons.“
My skin smells of yesterday’s perfume mingled with the haunting presence of strong cologne and the sweet scent of sweat and rope.
The details in this painting are luscious. I got in with the camera, as close as was allowed. The slideshow highlights shots of this Cloisonnism style work of art. The details are “Imitating medieval stained glass windows, cloisonné enamel and Japanese woodcut prints.”
“Cloisonnism features flat areas of solid colour enclosed by curving outlines, such as the green contour that encircles the woman’s porcelain skin.”
Cloisonnism was a bold new style invented by Anquetin, with his friend Émile Bernard.
The Sad Café
I’ve been here forever
hidden away in fantasies,
dimly lit rooms where
moonbeams caper blithely
over the river Seine.
All of my memories are strangers,
they come and go.
I want them to know
the smokey purple of lunar tides,
the bittersweet of Rose red.
They linger on lamp lit streets,
shadows on tiger paws.
©️ Holly Rene Hunter
… intoxicated by long red hair
Since the first Sad Café poem I drew a picture to, my heroine has had long red hair.
At the mirror I brush my hair and pull it back with a silver plated comb, slip into smoky seamed stockings
All Pullquotes are from ©️Sad Café poems by Holly Rene Hunter
Photos ©️ – of Woman at Her Toilette taken by Resa McConaghy
Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada
Thank you Holly!
Visit Holly on her blog to read all her Sad Café poems and all her sublime poetry.
Source: Art Gallery of Ontario – Quotes in bold italics are from the plaquard beside the painting.
Art Gowns 
What a mesmerizing painting, Resa! There’s something about her eyes that’s inherently sad, although she looks so young. The colors really stand out in your photos, so I can imagine they were something else to see in person at the gallery! I’ve never heard of the Cloisonnism style of art before, and I can see how this makes the colors and details really leap out. Your own pictures are amazing; there’s a dreamy quality to them that captures the eye! I’ll check out Holly’s sad cafe poems, which sound most intriguing! 🌸🌷🌸
Captivating post, Resa. The painting is mesmerizing and it’s like the painting was a premonition of the young woman who lived above the Sad Café. I have long been absorbed in the story and symbolism of the Sad Café. I have felt it intertwined with the center of my inner universe. Rene has graciously allowed me to share in the story. We wrote a 120,000 word Sad Café story completely in the comments on her blog over almost a three year period. It was a story woven into many of the poems she published with the exposition in comments. While it is her part I consider sacred, she has allowed me to put up several small novels that are excerpts from this enormous body of work straight from the heart of House of Heart. The Island story is a direct extract from our shared dream of escaping the mad world to a place that offers connection in ways our species has long abandoned. Your artwork and tribute that follows the story is equally deep and emotional, a Sub Rosa of how the heart yearns for love in all its forms throughout life’s many storms. And who better to represent that human condition than the lady with the long red hair.
That painting IS striking, Resa, and Holly’s poetry is superb as always.
Sacre bleu! 1889? She must be a hipster time traveler. Thanks for guiding our eyes to the luscious detail beyond the mesmerizing subject🪮💙🌹
Dear Resa, your journey through museums and searches through street and ally’s has brought us some of the world’s most beautiful and beloved artwork. Your amazing series , MHM, is a masterpiece post of women’s art, a beautiful tribute to some of the greatest artists who , because they are women, failed receive the same recognition as other artist. Thank you for that, And for this work of art paired with my poetry series “Sad Cafe”, I am honored that on finding this perfect piece of art, it reminded you of that poetry and of the lady with long red hair. Looking into this painting , into those sad eyes, I wonder about this artist and if this is someone he knows or dreams of. It is beautiful the. way the thin green outline of her face that without the placards one might miss. It’s a beautiful painting, and I can’t say how moved I am to find its meaning wrapped around the Sad cafe. Thank you so much for sharing this mystery lady that hangs on a museum wall , I’m honored you were reminded of my poems and of the poet with long red hair, the amazing song by Dylan is so perfect for this artwork. You’re amazing , my generous and lovely and extremely gifted artist, poet, weaver of dreams , to share them and allow us to escape into your world of art and music. Sending love and gratitude for all that you share with us.
xoxoxoxoxo
⬻𓂀☆♡ 🎀 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑣𝑦 🎀 ♡☆𓂀⤖