From Hogarth To Kubrick: A Tableau Vivant in Barry Lyndon
My choice for tableau vivant is the painting Tête à Tête(1743) by William Hogarth, which is represented in the movie Barry Lyndon(1975) by Stanley Kubrick. The reason why I chose this representation is my love and appreciation of Barry Lyndon. On my first watch, I was shocked and impressed by the beauty of sequences, costumes, and cinematography. The whole movie is like a beautiful painting. Also, I knew that there are many references to famous paintings. However, I think, Tête à Tête’s representation is the most effective and content-related reference.
The painting is a second part of the six canvas collection named Marriage A-la- Mode. The entire paintings are about the marriages that are made for economic benefits rather than love. Besides, the collection tells the story of an aristocratic family and its problems. In these specific paintings, the husband on the right side is painted as if he hasn’t slept during the night because of drinking and gambling, whereas on the left side his wife looks happy and flirty. Finally, the third character in the painting is an accounter man, we can understand this by looking at his hands holding bills and his expression is totally uncomfortable with this couple. The instrument, chair on the floor, and messy place arouse the curiosity if there is forbidden lovemaking or not. Overall, the painting focuses on the problems of an aristocratic family who has had a marriage based on economic benefit.
In Barry Lyndon is a story about Redmond Barry, we have witnessed his adventure during his life. Kubrick has portrait a perfect period, the 18th century in England. While we are watching his adventures, we watch the class conflict in different ways. Especially, when Barry has married a rich woman and lived with his step-son, he feels uncomfortable and worthless with them. Eventually, he leaves them and gets bogged down the gambling and alcoholism.
It is obvious that Tête à Tête(1743) and Barry Lyndon(1975) have common points with each other. Kubrick also wants to criticize the high classes just like Hogarth. When this scene is shown in the movie is the time that death of the Bryan Patrick Lyndon. Therefore, it can be said that both art pieces represent aristocratic marriages and their problems. Husbands’ alcoholism and gambling problems. Barry’s posture and sitting are exactly the same as the husband in the painting. They are exhausted and devastating. Also, there are other visual elements that are similar such as a chair on the floor, a fireplace, and some tableaus on the wall. Thus, while Kubrick is creating this tableau vivant in the movie Barry Lyndon, he made an excellent choice for the content and the virtual feast.
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Reference
Thought, C. (2018, January 28). The painterly aesthetic in Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon. Retrieved March 01, 2022, from https://creativefreethought.wordpress.com/2018/01/23/the-painterly-aesthetic-in-stanley-kubricks-barry-lyndon/
