Two 'Minors'? 0 ▲ Nigeness 1 hour ago · Writing · hide My sturdy volume of Peter Porter's Collected Poems (Oxford, 1983) – 330-plus closely packed pages – is ideal for browsing in. Last night, doing just that, I happened on this one, dedicated to a remarkable Renaissance artist who was as prolific and gifted as Porter himself, and with whom he seems to identify as an honourable 'minor' artist. For Sophonisba AnguisciolaSo much going for you, a woman painter of the sixteenth century, dying at ninety-sevenif the reference books are right, and with such an elegantlyunpronounceable name.It seems an attainment of gracejust to honour you and to forgetsome undistinguished pictures, almost as if the procession of geniuseswith their 'Triumphs of Time'and their 'Feasts of the Gods'passed right through the townand out into the countryside,leaving you, me, my typewriterand an honoured callingto represent the human race. Yes, Sophonisba may well have painted 'some undistinguished pictures' – the price you pay for being prolific, just as Porter wrote… Commenting on Bubbles has been removed. Why? If you want to talk about this post, write to the author, use the comments on their blog if it has them, or reply with a "RE:" post on your own blog. Suggestions? feedback@bubbles.town
