I. Admiration

Interpretation:

This Drawing aligns with the seven stages of love, expressed by French Writer Stendhal, as the first stage: Admiration. This drawing is inspired by Charles Cro, a French poet, who interpreted the first stage beautifully through this poem (translated by Kenneth Rexroth):

Sonnet

“I will not make verses for you,

Lady, blondest of blondes,

You will conquer enough of the universe,

You will be queen of all the worlds.

Your sapphire eyes, wide open,

Restless as the waves,

Of the rivers, the lakes, and the sea,

Drive me crazy.

And I am always defenseless before

That mouth rose of May,

Which says so much without words,

Which says the unmatchable word,

That flower deliciously wanton,

Blooming in Paris in the sun.”

I was drawn to this poem because of the vulnerability and passion that inspired this poet to write about this woman, and I can only imagine how it felt for whoever this Parisian woman was to read it if she ever did. I hope I was able to capture what the poet wrote through my interpretation put into visualization.