The Empty Chair (for Emily)

The Empty Chair (for Emily) by Diana Maus
The Empty Chair (for Emily) by Diana Maus

The Empty Chair (for Emily)

Mixed-media. 5 1/2” x 10”
This bejeweled chair was inspired by a quote by Karl Kraus:
“One’s need for loneliness is not satisfied if one sits at a table alone. There must be empty chairs as well.”
....I am no stranger to loneliness, so this quote has a lot of meaning for me. There are a lot of empty chairs at my table. But I am an avid reader and when I read, the most interesting people are here with me!
....The quote also had me thinking about the old question “If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” My first chair is dedicated to my first choice at the table… Emily Dickinson. Emily has written extensively about loneliness, isolation and alienation— looking at the world from a distance, peering through windows at what others seem to take for granted, a normal life. This piece is dedicated to her poem “Heart, we will forget him!”

Heart, we will forget him!
You an I, tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done, pray tell me
That I my thoughts may dim;
Haste! lest while you’re lagging.
I may remember him!

So, here’s to “Empty Chairs” that, when occupied while I read, fill the void.

The Empty Chair (for Emily) belongs to the following groups:

All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Altered Art, Heart Art and Mixed Media
  • Carlos Teófilo

    Carlos Teófilo, 7 months ago

    Wonderful work dear friend Diana. Bemvinda de novo. Sentia a tua falta.

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to Carlos Teófilo’s comment, 7 months ago

    Obrigado Carlos. Contente de estar para trás! (Glad to be back).

  • RosaCobos

    RosaCobos, 7 months ago

    Her soul is siting there… just listneing to your own words..
    Such a profound memmory to her..
    i have not read anything of Emily… but may be now I will have the output for doing it.. At least I have read this poem you have included with your text.. Noleniless is a Universal poetic theme.. and I agree with you … when you read books.. you are intercoursing intimately with the writters for one sie and the words for the other.. and there is an strong bond that will last much more than conventional relationship.
    Besides… this chair is a piece of jewell by itself.. A heart posed on it… a diamond lighting the poetry that it contains.
    Rosa

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to RosaCobos’s comment, 7 months ago

    Thank you Rosa, “Her soul is siting there… just listneing to your own words..” that is so beautiful!

  • missmilly

    missmilly, 7 months ago

    Love it Diana! A gorgeous piece!

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to missmilly’s comment, 7 months ago

    Thank you!

  • AlteredIllusions

    AlteredIllusions, 7 months ago

    nice work, Diana! I too am attracted to chairs as a base for assemblage – have some in the works now, in fact!

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to AlteredIllusions’s comment, 7 months ago

    Great, I can’t wait to see them!

  • Namueh

    Namueh, 7 months ago

    Beautiful chair! Brilliant!

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to Namueh’s comment, 7 months ago

    Thank you!

  • Tahnja

    Tahnja, 6 months ago

    this is just so awesome. I really, really love your work

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to Tahnja’s comment, 6 months ago

    Thank you, I really appreciate your taking time to comment!

  • PPPhotoArt

    PPPhotoArt, 5 months ago

    wow what a beautiful chair and sentiment to go with it, gorgeous work!!!

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to PPPhotoArt’s comment, 5 months ago

    Thank you!

  • Helene Kippert

    Helene Kippert, 3 months ago

    Great work diana – I’m fond of emily myself :o)

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus, 3 months ago

    Thank you, she’s a treasure for sure…

  • AnitaInverarity

    AnitaInverarity, 19 days ago

    You are incredible x

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to AnitaInverarity’s comment, 14 days ago

    wow, I am? Thanks!

  • Fiona Garrett-Benson

    Fiona Garrett-..., 11 days ago

    WOW how fantastic – am inspired

  • Diana Maus

    Diana Maus in reply to Fiona Garrett-Benson’s comment, 9 days ago

    Oh good Fiona! I love getting inspired!

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Available for sale as Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints