Catching the Diversity and Permanence of Nature in Art
French Post-Impressionist artist, Paul Cezanne, was once asked what he thought was natures greatest masterpiece. He replied by suggesting it was her infinite diversity. I get the feeling that the artist/photographer, Carola Becker, would most certainly agree with Cezanne's assessment. She has commented on her own pictures, through her blog, and in there she takes great delight in the diversity of nature. She seems impressed by the myriad of designs and colours one can enjoy from a trees respiratory and digestive system.
I am inclined to agree. The range of colour, texture and form is so varied. The striking lines of the veins, though now cut off from the branch, speak of life as they were once the channels for the plants lifeblood. But what really gets me are the different spots and blemishes that display, not only the diversity of nature, but also remind us of the ever-changing nature of nature. Is it sad to think that these leaves are no more? Or are we to celebrate their one-time existence that has now been captured by art. I think the latter to be the case. Again, Paul Cezanne's words are appropriate here:
“Nature is always the same, and yet its appearance is always changing. It is our business as artists to convey the thrill of nature’s permanence along with the elements and the appearance of all its changes”
Because nature is ever changing, it is up to the artist, it whatever medium they work, to capture those moments when nature displays her infinite diversity. By doing so, the artist captures nature's permanence and shouts aloud that this one-time scene, animal, plant or object once existed within nature's wonderful canvas. It is not the job of any artist to improve on nature. How could they ever seek to compete with mother nature herself? The artist's role is but to take nature and show her off in all her glory. Art depicting nature is there to lift us, to transport us to a time and a place, that once was but is now captured by the artist. We see that same beauty the photographer saw through her lens, we share in every brush-stroke, we relate to every line of an artist’s pen.
This applies not only to visual art but to poetry and the written form too. In Wordsworth's 'To a Butterfly', the poet is seeking to capture one moment but it is a moment that transports him back in time, to childhood and his family.
To a Butterfly
Stay near me – do not take thy flight
A little longer stay in sight!
Much converse do I find in thee,
Historian of my Infancy!
Float near me; do not yet depart!
Dead times revive in thee:
Thou bring'st, gay Creature as thou art!
A solemn image to my heart,
My Father's Family! 4
The dichotomy of permanence and change presents all nature lovers with a challenge. While we cannot affect nature on a micro level, we can help the permanence on a large scale. We should not only conserve through art but through action. For nature affects every area of life. We cannot ignore it. Just like the poet experienced, nature's existence puts our existence into perspective. We are forever joined and we know ourselves through nature. The artist has always known that. To finish, once again with the words of the celebrated artist:
“Everything, art above all..., is applied through nature.”
By, Ray Lewan 2018