'Last of England', by Ford Madox Brown, analyzed by and artist.

A critical fresh dive into an old masterpiece. Learn why "The Last of England" by British painter, Ford Madox Brown, is a superb painting and a self portrait. The video includes original observations and analysis that can't be found anywhere else online. This painting is far less known in America than in England, but it is worthy of more international recognition as one of the great all-time self-portrait paintings. 

TIMELINE:

0:00 – intro
1:38 – Background
4:05 – Purely visual aspects of the painting
6:11 – Color
7:36 – Line
8:41 – Naturalistic details
10:50 – Content of the painting
14:35 –The mysterious parts nobody addresses

[artvsmachine]

– Content of Video –
Contents of Video

0:00 – intro
1:38 – Background
4:05 – Purely visual aspects of the painting
6:11 – Color
7:36 – Line
8:41 – Naturalistic details
10:50 – Content of the painting
14:35 –The mysterious parts nobody addresses

[duncd]

Amazing video. This deserves way more views!

[GraniteQuarrier]

Beautiful exposition. I've really been enjoying your videos.

[atsunnyside]

I loved every minute of your video analysis - thanks! 😎

[spotterofgold]

Great commentary, Eric--thanks. The easily read "Eldorado" could be a reference to Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood member and sculptor Thomas Woolner's departure from England to the Australian gold fields in 1852. Indeed, most references to this painting I've encountered say that Ford Maddox Brown was partly inspired by Woolner's emigration to Australia, along with the emigration of many others, apparently. By the way, metaphysical teachings say the color of that ribbon is the color of Unconditional Love...which sorta makes sense if you've ever been enchanted by a beautiful sunrise or sunset. So, once you focused our attention on it, I began to see it as a symbol of their bond of real and unconditional love, whether the artist consciously knew he was showing this or not. Her head is surrounded by it which could symbolize her own unconditional self-love which would sustain her as a mother and family nurturer, and could explain her calm demeanor (I have read that some police stations have pink rooms in which they place unruly detainees because the color pink calms them down). Regardless, I love that he expressed that this is his favorite color. Really great video and I found it through your website's article. Fascinating stuff. Thanks again.

[colonelweird]

I'm so grateful for the video -- as soon as the image of the painting appeared on screen I had to stop the video and go find a hi-res version online to see some of the details. It really packs a strong immediate punch.

Could more have been said about that magenta scarf? The scarf seems at the same time to be fluttering wildly in the wind, but also to be completely still, forming both a frame around the wife's head while also presenting that strong horizontal in front of the husband. The scarf all by itself seems odd and surreal. And how about that diaphanous blue stuff at the top of the umbrella? What is it? And does it also seem like the baby's shape is meant to suggest a shroud? There are so many eyes in the painting, but not the baby's. And all those hands! Why so many hands?? I've been staring at the painting for 45 minutes now, but it only seems more and more mysterious and wonderful, and I am just baffled and intrigued. Thanks again!