BALTHUS / WUTHERING HEIGHTS

This foot problem is going to be with me a few days. A doctor friend said two weeks. The doctor who cared for me saturday said two weeks.

My left foot and ankle were twice their normal size yesterday. Maybe three times. The swelling completely absorbed my arch.

I kept my foot up as much as possible. However, I had to write this week’s KONK Life column. I put all kinds of things under the desk to rest my foot on. Not good. I realized the swelling in my foot would recede. However, my back would go out. The back won over the foot.

The column is titled David Wolkowsky. I describe him as the father of modern Key West. Another has described him as Mr. Key West.

David is 96. There is a generation or two who know nothing of this man. They should be aware of his contributions. My motivation in writing about David was to bring him to their attention..

Read the column when it publishes in KONK Life later in the week. I believe you will enjoy it.

Watched the Academy Awards from my bed. Foot definitely up while I was watching.

I was impressed by the standing applause Leonardo DiCaprio received. He must be a well liked among his peers.

This morning’s Key West Citizen’s World Almanac section made mention of a Balthus quote. Refreshed my recollection re Balthus.

Balthus had an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1984. Fourteen pen and ink drawings Balthus had done as illustrations for a new publication of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights . Balthus did the drawings in the early 1930s immediately prior to the book’s publication.

I love Wuthering Heights. I consider it the greatest love story ever written. It was first published in 1845. The late 1930s movie starring Laurence Oliver outstanding! Catherine, Catherine, Catherine runs through my mind.

I had not seen the Balthus illustrations in the early 1930s publication. I must have read an earlier publication.

I did not like the illustrations I viewed at the Met. Horrible! Scary! Dark! Did nothing for me. I thought at the time it probably did nothing for the book.

The summer of 1984 after having viewed Balthus’exhibit at the Met, I was in the Hamptons for a wedding. Decided to stay a few days afterwards. The weather turned. It was cold. Cold such as we have been experiencing recently in Key West.

I was walking along the beach in front of the resort. Balconies on the first floor were ground level. There was an older couple sitting on one. Everyone bundled, of course. We chatted a bit. They invited me in for a drink. They were drinking Dom Perignon.

As we were talking, Balthus’ name came up. I explain my dislike for the Wuthering Heights pen and ink drawings.

The statement ended my visit!

Unknown to me, the woman was a board member at the Met. She took my comment personally. My glass was empty. She did not ask if I wanted a refill. She stood and politely asked me to leave. I left.

Enjoy your day!