The Whistlers' Room

Richard Selzer has the soul of someone who observes with a scalpel's eye, a naturalist's curiousity, and with a sensitivity, as tender as the exposed underbelly of a tortoise... I have read two chapters, since I snatched it off a bookstore shelf last night: the introduction and 'Seeing Red: A Clinical Look at Rothko's #3.' Iliana Semmler, Lecturer Emerita of English at SUNY, Albany, introduces the doctor's treats to follow in a lively, dense and delightfully rich calliopy of images and descriptions examining the work, talent and life of the celebrated surgeon-writer. Chancing upon his "Lectures on Art: Painting and Sculpture," Selzer in recent years, evidently has evolved from exploring sheer physiology and anatomy, to dissecting aesthetics at the Yale Art Gallery and Cooper Union. His style, sometimes characterized as "florid," has always been filled with delightful details, and sometimes, sinfully witty or intense twists of phrases and observations. The Rothko essay demonstrates Selzer's success at marrying his style to his new prey: art. This is a piece that breathes, and pulsates of its own art! I have yet, to have read even an art historian write such a description of a work, capturing the essence of the painting in context of the artist's life. I've looked at Rothko's works many times, but have been unable to locate the words to convey the emotions, and dimensions it stirs in me, and here Selzer, untrained as an art historian, educated as a physician, has found them. I, most certainly, plan to browse through the rest of the book, and traipse through the new doors Dr. Selzer has opened to look afresh, at his chosen paintings and sculptures. Bravo!