Connections: An Arting Conversation

In this conversation, Ruth and I look at the importance of connection – between friends, rivals, lovers, work colleagues, family, community – with the environment around us. We look at the following paintings, supported by Mark Van Doren’s poem the Rivals.

• Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Les Amis and Gustave Caillebotte, Young Man at His Window
• Jan Vermeer, The Wine Glass and Pieter Bruegel, The Peasant Wedding
• Mary Cassatt, The Tea and Henri Matisse, Dance 2

Here are some questions to stimulate conversation. Or add your own questions or comments.

What kind of connections do you most enjoy with the people you care about?

Looking at how we put the art pieces together, does it give you insight into how we balance proper and naughty in our relationships?