Blue Arabesque: A Search for the Sublime

Slow at first for me to get into, by halfway through I was thinking "I want to reread this" and by the end "I want to collect a hardback copy," the latter a unique response for me.A meditation on art, looking, and on the reflective life needed to make art, Blue Arabesque moves from story to story—about paintings and creators and writing that Hampl loves—without feeling like a collection of essays. It is itself a unified work of art about one writer's love of artistic expression. It is classed by its publisher as a memoir but while deeply personal and with memoiristic aspects isn't exactly. More like a book-length essay.Blue Arabesque has an ineffable watercolor quality that arises, I would say, because it is especially rich in implication. With a deft touch, Hampl has created a book as beautiful as its title.

This book centers around a Matisse painting that has captivated the author. She then randomly associates various thoughts and experiences both with the painting and her own life as well . Hampl takes you on a slow journey reflecting on subjects such as leisure inspiration and culture.. She reflects, too, on other figures such as Delacroix, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Katherine Mansfield. I would say this book has a meditative quality. One must not rush though it, but allow its quiet slow pace. It is a pleasure to read as Patricia Hampl writes very well .

An interesting book.

I finished reading this book in late January; a quick read relatively speaking.The author is enamored of words, and of light and color. Like A.S. Byatt, Patricia Hampl holds a special place for Matisse, and the places where he spent his sun-drenched life.I've seen a photo of him in his bed in 1941, not long after his harrowing colostomy and all the attendant complications. His cat lies comfy atop the bed with him; he is bending over a sketch book.. about to apply a light brush to it. On the wall behind him are the Asian and African prints and patterns that increasingly inspired him as he grew older. There is a warm smile on his face. He is enjoying himself.For the remaining 13 years of his life he remained an invalid, but his work continued to shine more and more brightly and clearly. It culminated in his chapel in Vence, where the author ends her pilgrimage, and the book.Hampl succeeds in presenting us with the context: geographical, historical, and cultural, which enabled Matisse to pursue and fulfill his love of pattern and color. For that I give her much creditand appreciation

a lovely read

I have read most Of Patricia Hampl's books. This one I did not find as compelling as her others.

This book came at the perfect time to help me understand my compulsion toward travel and color and art. It also reminded me of the need to disconnect from the constant barrage of media and try to remember how to be quiet. Lovely.

Excellent writing, deel issues, beautiful similes and metaphors; I am big fan of Hampl. I read her whenevr I can.