17 November 2009

Barry Lyndon IV or More of A Rake's Progress.

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This spectacular image was presented to me by an aesthete reader. Though He has been reading for just a bit here at Little Augury- I sense a kindred spirit. This picture appeared with the note- I think you will appreciate this of all things-
Yes, and there will be others intrigued by the beauty of this ink drawing on paper. "There's a tiny signature on the pistol down below the primer, hard to make out in the last shot, but I think you should be able to see it ..Sadly I don't have many details-except that it’s by 'Hession,' ink on paper.The drawing was a graduation gift from a favourite Aunt & Beyond that I don't really know much. It seems to be a design that didn't end up being used for any of the promotional materials."



The beauty of the drawing-is unquestionable. The detail- & Yes, my dear reader is incredibly talented in the same area.Looking at the drawing, I am reminded that much of Barry's life revolves around war, violence, the gun- and it's conflict with his life long quest for beauty.





So much of Kubrick's film is a symphony played larghissimo, lamentando-the Duel between Redmond Barry and Lord Bullington is no different. The setting of the duel is a chapel- a "stage" as well. This is the moment where some of the dissatisfaction in Barry falls away. Bullingdon-Barry's stepson is such a failure, a disappointment and a waste- In contrast, Barry the soldier, the practised gentleman-is momentarily redeemed as the illusive better man.




"As the duel begins Bullingdon's second asks, "Mr. Lyndon, do you know the rules?" Barry abides by the highest ideals of the code of the society he has aspired to enter. He declines to fire at Bullingdon after his stepson's pistol accidentally discharges. Lord Bullingdon, a secure member of the dominant class, interprets the rules of the game from his own perspective, and declaring he has not "received satisfaction" refuses to waive his second shot and conclude the duel. He fires again and Barry is maimed and ousted.
The final moments of the film are underscored by the insistently sweet and forward-thrusting piano trio that accompanied Barry's romance with Lady Lyndon and his rise in fortune. The irony here is a source of pathos. Barry exits, maimed, lonely, and baffled. Lady Lyndon hesitates for a second (her gesture is doubled by a bass tremolo) before blankly signing a document that seals Barry's fate. The epilogue tells us that we are all equal in the grave."   Michael Klein on the Kubrick
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13 comments:

  1. Does Barry gain redemption here? I wonder. An arresting image & special acquisition for the artist that sent this to you. We can never have too much of Barry. AW

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  2. The first work on paper is so tactile.

    Duels were seen as an honorable way to settle a dispute -- but the outcome so devastating. Did everyone really feel it was the right way to handle things back then?

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  3. I don't know about redemption- but he is improved-none the less.

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  4. I agree about this drawing- beautiful, in looking at it the first time I had to stop and think-what is it? it is beautiful, it is a gun. Drawing so many questions about the gun as being so highly valued and honourable. I think during this era it was the only gentleman's option for maintaining a reputation. G

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  5. It's time ... .
    to put Barry on the Netflix que.
    Thanks for the reminder -

    Jjjj

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  6. That was so fabulous!!!! However did that man find that drawing? .So beautiful.
    I turned on all the videos or whatever they call those scenes of the movie which happened to be one of my favorite movies So glad you brought it all back to my memory.I Is there a way to look up lovely complicated drawings that that person sent to you? xx, DO

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  7. Inspired by that drawing to try a little harder.. and harder.. and harder.

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  8. Rosie's watercolors are fantastic!

    I have a total fetish for fancy footwear. Used to hang out with the Zappos girls on the regular, but I haven't had much occasion to write since my old gf took off. I wonder if they miss me as much as I miss them? Christmas without Marc seems very anti climactic... no bows for the toes this year, sadly.

    Kettledrums and Little Augury do make me smile though. Can't wait to read part V

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  9. Oh and I like Soodie's toons, and Judith's pictures too! I'm a slow clicker, but you're all great

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  10. Do you happen to know where they shot the duel scene? That open timber church/barn is a beauty.

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  11. no I don't rurritable-I am amazed at how much much there is about this Kubrick movie out there- I am sure this detail is one of them. Unfortunately could find little about the promotional designs of the movie-This is spectacular to my eye-for many reasons. Gaye

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  12. am catching up on reading your wonderful and insightful blog, and saw this. am presently in the midst of watching this movie again. like soodie ::, i too found myself thinking, surely there is a better way to handle a dispute.

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  13. i loved the film.
    and ...
    it might be a good idea to bring back duels.

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