This film is an outstanding documentary about Frank Mason and his painting style and defense against cleaning of old masterworks. I support his fight 100%.
I saw this film at a private showing in San Francisco, a great city know for strong interest in the arts. Not familiar with the subject, a classically- trained New York artist, Frank Mason, I was a little concerned with how interesting or relevant the film would be to me.
Documentaries are usually thought provoking and informative, but this one is also uplifting. If you didn't have the pleasure of being touched by the genius of Frank Mason in mortal life, his spirit lives on in the frames of this beautiful and touching documentary that shares his joy of life and his masterful accomplishments in the art world.
I watched this movie at a private screening in San Francisco, and have been recommending it to people ever since.I am always fascinated by how one visionary human being can change how the rest of us perceive the world, forcing us to look at what is around us in a different and enhanced way, with a deeper understanding.
During multiple sittings in Frank's studio in New York in 2004 as the model of the printer for Frank's painting "Joseph Pennell's Printing Press" (which appears in the film), I had the experience of a lifetime to sit for Frank. During the course of several days that year I traveled from Washington to New York to be with Frank in his studio as he painted from life.
I knew nothing of the academic painter Frank Mason until I ran across an oil sketch (a copy of a Titian) online while researching Titian for my own work. I was astonished at the level of understanding apparent in that little oil sketch and I ended up purchasing this film (directly from the film company) out of curiosity.
Seven years in the making, A Light in the Dark: The Art & Life of Frank Mason was clearly a labor of love. The quality of the documentary, down to the finest details, spoke to the extensive rumination the filmmakers must have taken.
A Light in the Dark is a fitting testament to the life of an extraordinary man and painter. Frank Mason protected a knowledge that was being lost to history.
