—Anna May Wong
Photo of Anna May Wong by Edward Steichen, 1930.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Nov. 2016
—Claudette Colbert
Conference at Night, 1949
Oil on canvas: 71.75 X 102.3 cm
Witchita Art Museum
—Greta Garbo
“Lark Ellen Drive”
2021
acrylic on canvas
20 X 20 in.
May 31, 1920.
Oh, I think I get Garbo’s comment – she doesn’t mind company, but she doesn’t want to be bothered with hangers-on or the attention associated with her fame. SHE wanted to decide who she would permit access to her environment.
Interesting that her ‘look’ the classic and unfussy hair, the unsmiling face, the contoured eyelids and minimal make-up – is still the gold standard for many women.
Always that body style in the Firebirds sister – the Camaro – was the best looking of all years – 67-68. That was my first car – a ’67 Firebird. Trying to understand the distinction of Garbo’s remark.
Always Admired Elvis for going in the Army like the rest of us. Can you imaginke some of these prima donnas today doing that?
I remember getting the shots – you’d go in like a cattle chute – 3 on each arm – I walked away from the table, started to feel light headed and that was that. Next thing I remember a medic is giving me smelling salts and the drill sgt is laughing.
Good times!
Robert,
The Anna May Wong photo posted here was one of several taken by Edward Steichen in 1930 & 1931. This one is 1930. I refer you to https://www.edwardsteichen.com/lifeandwork and I also found a reference to https://www.moma.org/collection/works/49529
Man Ray took very different photos. Here’s one of his: https://arthur.io/art/man-ray/portrait-d-anna-may-wong
I consider Steichen the artist and Man Ray the iconoclast.
Corrected. Thanks so much.
My parents always had me and my sister dressed up. I can’t remember but I had several suits and uniforms as it was during WWII. I don’t see kids dressed up much anymore. When, aside from Robert’s grand kids, did you last see a child in a suit ?
Claudette had an interesting life. Bilingual, doing some movies in both French and English. Her husband for 33 years was an ENT professor at UCLA.
In 1956, I was still a Democrat but my mother liked Ike. By 1960, I voted for Nixon. I had taken an Economics class.
I don’t like having anything on my hands or wrists, which is why I wear a pocket watch, but that Movado is one of the few wristwatches I would actually wear.
I like those happy Ike ladies. I’ve been to his Gettysburg farmhouse, which is surprisingly small for the man who commanded D-Day and kept America safe for eight years. I’m hoping to get back to both the battlefield and the house next summer (by the way, horseback tours of the battlefield are offered by several companies; setting out early in the morning is the best way to go).
Someday I must read a bio of Colbert, if there is one. She strikes me as a little frightening; a woman not afraid to tell you just where to get off. I do wonder what she was really like.
A lovely weekend to you and yours, Robert.
Colbert was not at all frightening, just successful, observant, and extremely bright.
More about Claudette: She insisted on being photrpahed from the left side, and during the production of The Royal Family (television) in 1954, someone suggested she looked equally well from the right. Her response:’ I have been in the Claudette Colbert business a long time, and business is pretty good.’
Completely rational, amusing, and a straightforward understanding of what made her world go round.
I love Rick’s photo this week. The colors, the scallop of the wall, the icy look at the pavement, and the detailed ornamentation of the bench change a simple photo into a complex composition.
I’d love to own the Firebird.
I love the design of the watch, but I could never wear it. That asymmetrical face would drive me crazy.
I never tire of a Hopper painting.
I like your new painting, Robert, and your grandchildren look “dressed up to the nines”.
Have a wonderful Shabbat.