VII Practise reading the dialogue with your partner. J. Heavens, what sparkling eyes that lady on the portrait has

J. Heavens, what sparkling eyes that lady on the portrait has! And what a graceful pose!

H. Isn't it lovely! Her face is gentle, she looks as if she was alive.

J. And the texture of her dress! It looks so soft and silky as if you could feel it with your hand.

H. You like realist portraits, don't you?

J. I like pictures that are true to life, where every leaf and flower is depicted exactly.

H. Like in still life? Look, at this one. Flowers in a vase, watermelons, grapes and cherries. Doesn't it look nic e?

J. Wow, it makes me feel really hungry. Do we call this art realism?

H. Well, realism artists' ideal was a truthful depiction of what laid before their eyes and precise drawing of a landscape or a portrait.

O. There is nothing like landscapes to me. I like nature depicted as mysterious and majestic.

H. You seem to like romanticism, don't you?

O. How can you tell a realistic landscape from a romantic one?

H. Romantic artists used exaggerations: the hills and trees are higher, the sea is bluer than in real life. Artists stressed the wild character of the place and the drama of contrasts.

J. Look over there. That calm sea shore will make you feel happy. The rocks and blue water are flooded with sunlight. And the delicate white figure of a lady in the wide-brim hat conveys the spirit of leisure, harmony and optimism.

O. And I see the brushwork here is unlike those we have seen. The trace of the brush is left and the character of the work is rapid and sketch-like.

H. Naturally, another style – another expression. This is piece of impressionism. Impressionists tried to capture one instant in time.

J. The moment, stop! You are a wonder!

H. Right you are. Emphasis was placed on capturing the first impression of the subject, it was painted on the spot, in a state of great emotional excitement at the sight of a wonderful world.

O. What do you know about contemporary art?

H. There are a great number of styles both of realistic and formalistic trends, and a great deal of masterpieces.

J. We'll see some of them in the Museum of Modern Art, I believe. Let’s go there next week.