Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s poem "Living with a Painting" is a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between an observer and a work of art, specifically a painting by Albert Kresch. Through a contemplative tone and rich imagery, Levertov delves into the process of engaging with art, how it matures and transforms in the viewer's perception over time.

The poem begins with the statement: "It ripens / while I sleep, afternoons, on the old sofa." This opening line suggests that the painting undergoes a process of maturation even when the observer is not actively engaging with it. The act of sleeping, a state of unconsciousness and rest, symbolizes a period of inactivity during which the painting continues to evolve in its impact on the viewer. The "old sofa" evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort, indicating a long-term relationship with the painting.

Levertov describes how "the forms ready themselves for dazed, refreshed, wakening senses to bite on, / 'taste with the mind's tongue'." The forms in the painting prepare themselves to be perceived anew each time the viewer awakens. The phrase "taste with the mind's tongue" implies a deep, intellectual engagement with the painting, suggesting that appreciating art is a sensory experience that goes beyond mere visual perception.

The poem acknowledges the confusion that comes with waking from sleep: "Yes, that confusion / comes of sleep, and all was ripe before, and I green." This line reflects the disorientation that can accompany the transition from sleep to wakefulness. The use of "ripe" and "green" creates a contrast between the maturity of the painting and the viewer's fresh, perhaps naïve, perspective. It suggests that the painting has reached a state of readiness that the observer is only beginning to appreciate.

Levertov introduces the idea of dual roles in the creation and appreciation of art: "'One who makes it, and one who needs it'." This line highlights the symbiotic relationship between the artist, who creates the work, and the viewer, who derives meaning and fulfillment from it. The artist imbues the painting with significance, while the viewer's engagement with the art brings it to life.

The poem then elaborates on the process of the painting "ripening" within the context of daily life: "The work ripens / within the temper of living round about it, that brings as tribute, as rain, many awakenings." This imagery suggests that the painting evolves as it becomes part of the viewer's everyday existence. The experiences and emotions of daily life contribute to the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the art, much like rain nourishes and promotes growth.

Levertov uses vivid imagery to describe the transformation in perception: "until a once-cold arbitrary violet reveals itself as radiance, a defining halo." This line captures the moment when an initially overlooked or misunderstood element of the painting suddenly becomes clear and significant. The "once-cold arbitrary violet" symbolizes aspects of the painting that seemed random or unimportant, which over time reveal their true beauty and meaning.

The final lines of the poem, "and discovered geometries in interplay / show in their harvest-time vase, lute, beaker," suggest that the viewer eventually recognizes the harmonious and intricate relationships within the painting. The "geometries in interplay" symbolize the complex structures and patterns that become apparent as the observer's understanding deepens. The objects—vase, lute, beaker—represent the tangible forms that emerge from this newfound awareness, signifying the fruition of the viewer’s engagement with the art.

In "Living with a Painting," Levertov captures the dynamic and evolving relationship between an observer and a work of art. Through her reflective and richly descriptive language, she explores how art matures in the mind of the viewer, shaped by the rhythms of daily life and the gradual awakening to its deeper meanings. The poem celebrates the transformative power of art and the profound, ongoing dialogue between creation and appreciation.

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