Robert Bechtle at SFMOMA, SECA, and so on and so forth.

Yesterday Amalia and I met a friend and paid a visit to SFMOMA for my first viewing of the Bechtle retrospective. I am WAAAAAAYYYYY to busy to give a detailed review, but here are my quick impressions:

1. Forget the theory. Bechtle is a Californian painter who is basically doing the same thing as Thiebaud and Diebenkorn, which is capturing the light and physical topography of the region, as Cezanne did in his. However, this only applies to when Bechtle's works work. The other thing that Bechtle does in all of his good works is to create mood. More on this later.

2. When Bechtle falls flat, read the theory. When the theory of photorealism wins, the art loses. If you cannot improve on the snapshot, why waste my time and a lot of canvas?

3. Bechtle is at his weakest when painting automobiles or outdoor snapshots of people.

4. Bechtle is at his best when he lets the mood of the place come through, particularly in his interior spaces. He is also quite good at painting streets, so long as he doesn't get all hung up on automobiles.

5. Bechtle's works on paper are fantastic. Much better than his works on canvas. He does stuff with charcoal that is breathtaking. Note that I have not yet gone to the Crown Point Press exhibit.

For more on Bechtle, read what Tyler Green has to say or what Anna L. Conti has to say (she really has a thorough look at these, including some images).

As for SECA, I was pleasantly surprised. I did not get to spend the time that I wanted, because Amalia was asleep in the stroller, and I wanted to keep her that way for another half hour, at least, which means that the stroller cannot stop too long. I will try to get back next week to take a closer look.

And, finally, the power of the critic: awhile back Tyler Green pointed out that SFMOMA neglected to have ONE painting by Wayne Thiebaud in its second floor rehang. I was ashamed to admit that I had not noticed, particularly since Thiebaud is one of my biggest influences (and a fellow Sacramentan). Well, someone at SFMOMA must read Mr. Green, because they had a lovely Thiebaud delta painting up.

I can't remember what was in the spot before. I am afraid that it was another Diebenkorn, though. Too bad. They should have removed (and sold) a Warhol.