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| Allegro Strepitoso by Carel Weight, 1932 |
Carel Weight's 'Allegro
Strepitoso' was immediately my favourite piece of art at the Tate gallery
in Liverpool. There's a kind of chaotic and comedic energy to this painting,
something which made me grin in the gallery at the time, and still brings a
smile to my face weeks later.
The exaggerated painting style and bright colours lends the piece a joyful, light-hearted feeling, despite the event of lions bursting from the cages perhaps not being so fun for the human visitors to the zoo. This must have been what inspired Weight’s friend to suggest the title of ‘Allegro Strepitoso’ for this piece, coming from the Italian words for ‘merry/lively’, and ‘noisy/clamorous’. If this painting could speak or make noise, I expect that it would make an awful row with screams, roars, chattering birds, and brass band music!
Weight’s painting was created in 1932 using oil paints and was inspired by childhood trips to the zoo with his mother. According to the Tate gallery websites’ description of this piece, the two women running from the lions were also modelled by the painter’s own mother. Using childhood memories and day trips is an interesting way of finding new ideas to work with, whether it be for artwork or creative writing. ‘Allegro Strepitoso’ is a painting that could easily trigger a creative response in writers; in fact, I already have a short story idea bubbling away!
This painting was part of an exhibit in the Tate called the ‘Ideas Depot’. Ideas Depot was co-curated with school teachers in Liverpool, with the belief that art is an essential part of people’s lives, which can inspire intellectual curiosity. I really appreciated the fact that this exhibit was made to inspire visitors to the gallery. Beneath the descriptions of artwork were questions based around the theme of the work ̶ perfect for creatives seeking new prompts and ideas.
The exaggerated painting style and bright colours lends the piece a joyful, light-hearted feeling, despite the event of lions bursting from the cages perhaps not being so fun for the human visitors to the zoo. This must have been what inspired Weight’s friend to suggest the title of ‘Allegro Strepitoso’ for this piece, coming from the Italian words for ‘merry/lively’, and ‘noisy/clamorous’. If this painting could speak or make noise, I expect that it would make an awful row with screams, roars, chattering birds, and brass band music!
Weight’s painting was created in 1932 using oil paints and was inspired by childhood trips to the zoo with his mother. According to the Tate gallery websites’ description of this piece, the two women running from the lions were also modelled by the painter’s own mother. Using childhood memories and day trips is an interesting way of finding new ideas to work with, whether it be for artwork or creative writing. ‘Allegro Strepitoso’ is a painting that could easily trigger a creative response in writers; in fact, I already have a short story idea bubbling away!
This painting was part of an exhibit in the Tate called the ‘Ideas Depot’. Ideas Depot was co-curated with school teachers in Liverpool, with the belief that art is an essential part of people’s lives, which can inspire intellectual curiosity. I really appreciated the fact that this exhibit was made to inspire visitors to the gallery. Beneath the descriptions of artwork were questions based around the theme of the work ̶ perfect for creatives seeking new prompts and ideas.
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