 Paul Cezzane was born January 19, 1839. In 1859 Paul graduated from the college of Bourbon where he began a friendship with Emile Zola. While at the school, he also studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.
Cezzane's desire to become an artist put him at odds with his father. In April 1861 he finally gained permission from his father to study art in Paris. Apparently after failing entry admission to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, he worked at Academie Suisse, where he met Pissarro. For the next 20 years he was active much of the time in and around Paris. He continued his self education by studying and copying at the Louvre. In 1863 he exhibited at the historic Salon des Refusés. Beginning in 1872, Cezzane worked with Pissarro, the impressionist who influenced his art the most and with whom he had the most in common. In 1887, now a rich man after the death of his father, he exhibited his work in Brussels. At the peak of his career, Cezzane painted the “ Bathers.” Card players, and many versions of “Mont Ste.Victoire.” In 1904, the Salon d’Automne recognized the genius of his work. He died a year later after painting outdoors. Great Modern Masters by Sir John Rothenstein Impressionism by the editors of Realites
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 The ocean can be treacherous. The recent volcanic eruption near Tonga reminded me of how misfortune can occur without any warning and how vulnerable mankind is.
Mariners and lighthouses live at the peril of the sea. However, many of its dangers lie beneath the surface. The powerful volcanic eruption near Tonga sent tsunami waves around the world. Its roar was heard in Alaska. Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts was built to warn of a dangerous submerged obstruction called “Devil’s Bridge.”  Georgia’s native son Martin Luther King Jr challenged humanity with his actions and words. “Light has come into the world and every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Lighthouses are loved because of their altruistic nature. In fact George Bernard Shaw stated, “I think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.” George Bernard Shaw.
 Peering from the top of the tower of the Tybee Lighthouse
An empty shore and a peaceful ocean stood afar Not a soul in sight unlike the busy lighthouse. A picket fence evoked a nostalgic and solemn mood. It's small scale contrasted with the towering lighthouse. Life like art is a study in contrasts. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was a study in contrasts. He was an advocate for peace but died a violent death. He led non violent protesters who were met with murderous attacks. He preached about loving enemies. He spoke of freeing persecutors. Many of his most famous quotes are founded on contrasts: Injustice to anyone is a threat to justice everywhere.  It’s the artist’s business to create sunshine Romaine Rolland
The arts have been recognized as a foundation of our Republic since its beginning. George Washington wrote in 1781, “The arts and sciences are essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament and happiness of human life.” The arts not only help us to understand our experiences but lifts our spirits. The arts indeed have the ability to heal our souls. Don't miss my upcoming newsletter. It’s full of inspirational and uplifting stories. Georgia’s coastline is about 110 miles and has 15 barrier islands. Four barrier islands are accessible by car: St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Tybee Island and Sea Island. These popular resort destinations are called the “Golden Isles.”
Five lighthouses mark the coastline but only a few are open to the public. St. Simons Lighthouse, Tybee Island Lighthouse, Sapelo Island Lighthouse and Sapelo Range Lighthouse.  I visited Sanibel Lighthouse on the west coast of Florida the day of the Capitol Riot. I was unaware of the chaos in DC while walking the peaceful shores of Sanibel. I was thousands of miles away mentally and physically.
I was baffled by Sanibel’s tiny shoreline and the abundance of signs about mangroves along the beach. This obsession with mangroves surprised me. I decided to investigate. According to the City of Sanibel's website, the regulation of the trimming and alteration of the island’s mangroves delegated to by the State of Florida. I also discovered how mangroves help protect Florida’s coastline by preventing erosion and absorbing storm surge during hurricanes. They improve water quality by filtering out harmful carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases. Mangroves are Florida’s superheroes. “They remind us of our inner strength and courage during times of struggle and upheaval. They signal our ability to remain stable and calm in the presence of adversity by ‘shoring up’ our resources.”  Old Brant Point Lighthouse has no lens; perhaps this is why it connected with me. The lens is perhaps the most important element of the lighthouse. Without the lens and the lantern room the lighthouse seemed visionless and purposeless. It seemed to be a metaphor for the current state of the lighthouse.
I noticed that most people hurried past this lighthouse on the way to see the famed Brant Point Lighthouse a few steps away. It was as if the lighthouse was invisible. People only paused to look at the old lighthouse when they saw me drawing it. When they paused and looked, I felt like I had connected the lighthouse to its purpose and me to mine. I thought about a quote from James Whistler “An artist is not paid for his labor but his vision.”  While the island of Ireland has been well known for sectarian violence, their love of the ocean has been a unifying force. The Commissioner of Irish Lights has overseen the lighthouses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland since an 1810 act of Parliament by the United Kingdom and Ireland. Lighthouses are navigational tools for all mariners and seafarers regardless of race, nationality, religion, etc.
The Commissioner of Irish Lights is a world leader in innovation. Since the automation of its 66 lighthouses early in the 20th century it continues to advance the cause of safety through technology. Lighthouses are a part of a network that transmit information to those at sea. Not only useful as physical markers, lighthouses and buoys transmit weather, sea conditions and more to help mariners navigate safely. They use radars and electronic technology to send information. The Commissioner of Irish Lights even has a Twitter account to help mariners plan their trips.  The beautiful, pyramidal Staten Island Lighthouse stands solemnly upon cascading stairs like an Mayan temple. The plush green foliage surrounding it seems to bow in submission to its magnificence.
It took several years for this beautiful lighthouse to manifest. When the Staten Island Lighthouse was lit in 1912, the New York Times proclaimed that it was destined to take its place among the famous beacons of the world...Yet destiny had to wait. Although the base of the lighthouse states it was built in 1909, the Staten Island Lighthouse in New York was not finished until 1915. It had no lantern or staircase in 1909. The light was put into operation on April 15, 1912 but there was no grading, sidewalks or lightning rod. |
AuthorWhen I am not traveling to or painting lighthouses, I am writing or researching lighthouses. Archives
January 2022
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