We'll start with my favorite portrait, Afghan Girl. The first time I saw this picture was on the cover of National Geographic, and it was taken by Steve McCurry. Her name is Sharbat Gula at around 12 years old. I do believe she's the loveliest young girl I've ever seen. I remember taking a few moments and really observing it. Her eyes, her face......this is an exceptional picture, in my opinion.
Jess loves this picture, American Girl In Italy. I can see why it's her favorite because I like it also. It was taken by Ruth Orkin, and it's such an interesting picture that I notice something different every time. Jess actually has this picture hanging up in her home. Every time I visit her, I see it in her living room and smile.
Do you have a
favorite portrait that
you want to share?
~Sheri
31 comments:
Oh I agree with you on the picture of Afghan Girl. I remember being simply stunned by its beauty when first seeing it on the cover of National Geographic. And I also love the message of the Norman Rockwell picture. In today's America, we are just as concerned about Bruce Jenner wanting to be a woman as we are about the hundreds of young girls still held captive by Boka Horam and the thousands of refugees fleeing from the atrocities there. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/missing-nigeria-schoolgirls/boko-haram-massacre-survivors-flee-nigeria-island-lake-chad-n367571. No kidding, last night on the TV news, more time was spent on the Bruce Jenner story than the Nigerian story. We have become such a perverted nation, so utterly unconcerned with what's happening in the real world.
Sheri, I love the pictures too. I cut a photo of a young boy on a bus looking out at his father and crying.. It was during the war of Serbia . It broke my heart to look at it. But I would and wonder where are they now..whatever happened to them.?? I know I still have that photo amoung some of my work papers . I will have to look for it. Blessings to you and your sweet girls. Love you, Susie
What a delightful blogging topic!!! Very unique.
Oh that mesmerizing 'Afghan Girl'... Wondering where she is, today....
Thank you for a delightful topic!
Tessa
I love that little Afghan Girl portrait, too. She is beautiful. The portrait reminds me of children sponsored through various missions. It makes me think deep and questions - what became of her? What became of them? There are so many hurting children in the world. So many in need of love, security, SAFETY. I wish we could just reach out to all of them and fix whatever problems they are going through.
Dear Sheri,
This photo of the Afghan Girl say's it all.. I remember this particular photo very well. There are really no words needed.. So many young girls held captive all over the world.. This is a very start reminder that this needs to end.
Norman Rockwell.. He is one of my favorite artists, and this painting and words should be in every ones heart. Really, if the words held true with all, there would not be this photo of the Afghan girl..
Love and blessings to you dear friend.
Penny
Hi Sheri :)
I also remember the photo on the cover of National Geographic. I remember staring at it for a very long time. It's just so beautiful.
I feel sorry for the American girl in Italy. She looks so worried.
And who doesn't love Norman Rockwell? His paintings always remind me of the scene in Funny Farm when they hand out the magazines with his pictures to show the townspeople how to act normal :)
As for me? I'm drawn to Currier and Ives. Especially this one: http://www.philaprintshop.com/images/cur168a.jpg
My mother has a print of it in her guest bedroom where I stay and it's the last thing I see before I go to sleep.
Also, Botticelli paintings.
And Ansel Adams is also a favorite of mine :)
Kind of diverse, huh? lol
xo,
rue
Oh, nice choices!!!
I think mine should be Alberto Korda's photo of Che Guevara and a painting portait that I like soooo much is Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa!
Kisses, sweetheart!
Have a lovely June!!
I remember that pictures in National Geographic and all the awards it took. Just beautiful. There are some wonderful portraits out there but none that come to mind at this moment that is my favorite. Beautiful post- xo Diana
All 3 photos are really great!
Well I do not have only one fave... Tamara de Lempicka portraits are really great
& Sargent's ''Portrait of Madame X'' too!
Oh, I also remember the Afghan Girl - I have that National Geographic issue! She represents all the women in this world living in captivity and turmoil. I have seen updated photos of this girl, now a woman, and she bears the ravages of life on her face - now a Mother and wife in a war-torn country. The American Woman in Italy is very thought provoking, also. I love how she is gripping her shawl as she walks the gauntlet. I think that every young woman has encountered such a feeling.....The Norman Rockwell painting really speaks volumes. I went to see an exhibit of his paintings here in Tacoma, WA and it was wonderful. Some of the paintings were life sized and as clear and beautiful up close as from a distance. He captures such wonderful expressions and detail. No words necessary! I have a favorite portrait that I hang in my home (usually in the Winter, as it has deep tones). It is called, 'Young Girl Reading', by Jean Fragonard. I have always loved books and as a young girl I would walk 5 miles to the library in the summer. This portrait speaks to me. A wonderful post - very thought provoking! Hugs xo Karen
Karen,
'Young Girl Reading' is a favorite of mine as well. Nel has a jewelry box with this picture on it. :~)
Oh Sheri, the Afghan Girl is beyond beautiful, those eyes have a story behind them.
I happen to love all of Anne Geddes baby portraits and love, love all the Christmas scenes by Thomas Kinkade and so many others. What a great post!
Nancy
That first is my favorite too...love from me Ria...x!
They are all 4 pictures you don't forget but I do believe yours speaks volumes about the plight of young women there and elsewhere.
I have had a love for Carl Larsson's paintings ever since I first knew about him. I don't have any, of course, but I 3 of his books and have poured over them for years.
Thought-provoking post!
Beautiful choices from all three of you lovely ladies here at Red Rose Alley.
I too remember Afghan Girl, her eyes are absolutely unforgettable.
Like Rue, I am drawn to a variety of art. We have several paintings of the Rocky Mountains (because that is my homeland) Texan Art (my second home) as well as art of women. Here is one that I would love to have-
http://www.edgar-degas.org/The-Green-Dancer-large.html -
I am a fan of Edgar Degas
What an enjoyable post, Sheri.
Love,
Jemma
oh i love each one of these. I see so much beauty in them. Hugs, xo
Each one of these photographs speaks volumes. I recently saw a photograph by Turkish photographer Osman Sagirli. Little Adi Hudea raises her hands in surrender after confusing his camera for a gun. It is powerful and poignant. A sad commentary on the way these precious children live in fear.
Hello Dear Sheri....
I was familiar with all the photos you featured and loved them all, too.
Honestly, I don't have a fave but have eclectic tastes so anything's game.
Thanks so much for your visis, Sheri. I love them! Susan
♥hello my friend! ♥Happy summer time!♥
I love picture of Afghan Girl. All of them they are so nice and amazing... xxx
GOod morning beautiful friend!
I thought of you last night as Ruben came home with a small load of groceries AND the most gorgeous bunch of red/pink roses. I took photos of them before I put them in a vase, and OMGOODNESS, they are stunning.
My favorite portrait? Now you have me thinking. I am going to have to think about this because photography is a new love for me. For as long as I've been blogging, you know how many photos I've collected but now, I'm taking my own photos and that is changing everything; it is requiring that I really study and focus on my subject and I am learning a great deal. I am taking photos of flowers for now since the season is rife with beautiful examples, but I think I'd like to try my hand at a portrait.
Lovely images and thoughts. Anita
all of them are really cool! The picture of the Afgan Girl is hypnotyzing, American Girl in Italy is amazing as well as Golder Rule.
Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Hi,
I have always been in wonder of the Afgan Girl. A few years ago I read an article about what the girl/women is doing today. They took another photo of her in a similar way. The same eyes ... older face ... it was fascinating.
Fun post today. Thank You!
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2002/04/afghan-girl/index-text
Hi, here is the link to the story. :-)
I have always been captivated by the Afgan Girl, such much behind those beautiful eyes.
Good morning beautiful rose!
I was elated to read your comment this morning dear friend because as I was preparing my new post, I thought of you. I had hoped you'd visit because I knew you and I share a love for roses. And the color, was I right? The color is outstanding. Not red, not pink, but BOTH! Oh, the fun I had when he brought them to me. I immediately took out my camera!
It's so good to be back. Thank you for everything, and I hope we can chat; maybe when I'm back from Carmel.
Much love, Anita
Wow, these are all so varied and unique. Thought provoking,fun loving,and meaningful. One picture says so much. Great share.
Hugs,
Patti
Not long ago my husband and I went to a museum and saw a special exhibit of portraits. I just wanted to stand there and stare at each one, they were amazing! Thanks for sharing this fun post. I hope you ladies are all doing well.
What a great post. Just loved looking at and reading about all the pictures, and they each have their own important meaning.
But Afghan girl is mesmerising ... those eyes.
Hope your week is going well - they do seem to whizz by, too quickly sometimes
All the best Jan
Yes, those photos tell a whole strory, they are strong and emotionally charged.But unfortunately our world is so troubled and materialistic that there is no time to stop by topics like this. Congratulations to have revealed it!
Many hugs
Olympia
Afghan Girl is great, but I absolutely love American Girl in Italy. I don't think I could ever choose a favorite portrait, but you've definitely inspired me to browse through a few more this afternoon.
xoxo
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