Sonnet on Edouard Manet’s Nudes.
This artist must, I think, have been a rather horny dude
for many of his paintings in the Louvre are in the nude.
There’s the famous one “Olympia” (a name that’s quite astute
to cover up the fact that she was just a prostitute!)
But the one that always interests me: “Dejeuner sur l’herbe”,
astounds me quite completely (I could use another verb!).
It’s popularly known today as “Luncheon on the Grass”.
What a way to spend one’s lunch-break!! (But I’d better let that pass.)
The men, still clothed, appear the woman’s charms to be debating;
the chap at right, quite rudely, seems to be gesticulating.
The naked female turns her face as though uninterested.
Perhaps she wonders why these dudes no clothes have yet divested?
The woman squatting in the background is – (I have a hunch,)
unwrapping delicacies, dutifully, for their lunch.
Hugh Wyles, January 9th.2006
Author notes
Another Sonnetto coppiato in iambic heptameter
with rhyming couplets.
This is the Fifth (tongue-in-cheek) Sonnet in my
"Louvre Collection", commenting on leading masterworks.
Written January 11th, 2006
In a list
- Sonnets & Sonnaiku • next in list
- Louvre & Other Silly Songs • next in list
- Verse inspired by Art • next in list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
-
Why, Nancy, thankyou for your verse and for your kindly rhyme.
Of course "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" was well before my time.
It's also often titled as: "The Picnic in the Woods"
but I prefer to call it: "Having Lunch with All the Goods".
Of the two nudes, the far one I consider better looking.
If I'd been there, I'd be right in to help her with her cooking.
The other one, it always seems to me, is bored to tears
although there could be more to her than what at first appears.
I think it rather sad that such an artist as Manet
could not have timed his painting slightly later in the day.
It's possible he missed the best part through unseemly haste
and all that food and male attire is therefore just a waste.
Another thirty minutes, he'd have had four figures bared
and, apart from pink, unnecessary colours could have spared!
-
Well Babe, I can see where the lady has her leg positioned, me thinks I see it moving.
She looks like she's trying to be unconcerned, but is she really? 
Very well written Babe, I am enjoying reading these so I'll be back to read more. 
Love Sally.
-
Now this is an odd one. As if being naked were nothing of particular interest to anyone in the painting. And didn't the subjects have to pose for a good amount of time in these positions? That is comical in this instance. The woman's nudity is less perplexing to me than the men's excess of clothing and disinterest.
I see your points with this confusing painting.
Another very funny addition to your series. -
I think they're dicussing whether or not the naked lady should close her legs before they bring out the tuna salad sandwhiches.
If you're going to sit there nude at least sit like a lady
Holy Mackeral Loved this Hugh! bravo!
-
Oh no, not another one!! the old masters must be turning over in their graves
I've always thought this painting to be a rather awkward situation for the nude. I mean...think about it, sitting there all naked in front of fully clothed men..even the woman in the background seems to be dressed as she gazes intently into the water.
I know If I were that nude, well maybe not now, but years ago when I had the kind of body men drool over...lol...
Anyway, if I were that nude, I wouldn't be sitting there exposing some rather unmentionable body parts over lunch. I'd be wraping myself with the blanket that's currently wrapped around her leg (of all places, although maybe it's because she didn't have time to shave that leg before departing for lunch)and get a few persuasive words into the conversation...which by the way looks like a bartering session to see who gets to take her behind the bushes first.
A funny write, Hugh And some artistic history as well
love and
Dee
Edited on Jan 11, 5:14 p.m. because ''. -
Dear Hugh, another great send up of famous portraits, hmmm he doesn't look very interested does he? maybe they are so hsed to seeing nudes naked they become indifferent.
Well lovely Sonnet my friend..what's next?
Love and hugs..Bea xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Applause -
Dear Mari, (mi querida),
Actually, they are going to use me as a museum exhibit in the neolithic section! I think the men are discussing boobs in that painting or, maybe, they're just thinking about their lunch!
Love and hugs, XXX El Padre. -
The men there don't seem very interested on the naked lady.
I guess that such a vision was pretty common during a dejeuner sur l’herbe The lady looks bored, I think she lost her grass skirt somewhere.
Dad, even famous painting inspire you to write those amusing sonnets. You'd make a wonderful museum guide!
Kisses and love de tu hija,
Mari
Adding your comment:
1 - 8 of 8
5 old applause
