What's this about?
So what is all this about "old masters' techniques" anyway? Who were the "old masters" and why should we care about how a bunch of long-dead men (for the most part) painted hundreds of years ago?
The old masters are painters who worked from the early 15th century, generally around the time of the van Eycks, until the early 20th century, when the classical tradition became surplanted by "modern" art -- Impressionism and all the other "-ism" like Cubism; Fauvism; Experssionism, etc. Their works were realistic, that is, they painted to represent the world of physical forms, or imaginary beasts and gods from the past as if they were physically present. They strived to present an illusion of three dimensions on their support, and in general they show a very high degree of ability in drawing as well as painting.
The fact that so many of their paintings have survived for centuries recommends their technical proceedures to those of us who wish our own paintings to last, and the beautiful representation of textures and objects, people and places they achieved are still strived for by realists of the present day.
Many abstract or modern painters were well trained in the old masters' techniques. Picasso in his youth was an accomplished realist painter, and Salvador Dalí stated that his mission was to "save painting." His sketches and paintings show a consumate command of realist principles and practices. Part of the fascination with his work lies in his ability to depect a surreal scene in a believable realist manner.
Many of the Impressionist painters were also classically trained, but, as the twentieth century unfolded, the training was rapidly lost, as newer ideas about what painting was or could be, or should be swept the ever-changing fashions of art. In the past few decades realist sensibilities are again appreciated, and many artists are searching for the technical skills which will allow them to paint what they see, either in front of them or in their mind's eye.
It is to this end that the website and this blog are dedicated.
The old masters are painters who worked from the early 15th century, generally around the time of the van Eycks, until the early 20th century, when the classical tradition became surplanted by "modern" art -- Impressionism and all the other "-ism" like Cubism; Fauvism; Experssionism, etc. Their works were realistic, that is, they painted to represent the world of physical forms, or imaginary beasts and gods from the past as if they were physically present. They strived to present an illusion of three dimensions on their support, and in general they show a very high degree of ability in drawing as well as painting.
The fact that so many of their paintings have survived for centuries recommends their technical proceedures to those of us who wish our own paintings to last, and the beautiful representation of textures and objects, people and places they achieved are still strived for by realists of the present day.
Many abstract or modern painters were well trained in the old masters' techniques. Picasso in his youth was an accomplished realist painter, and Salvador Dalí stated that his mission was to "save painting." His sketches and paintings show a consumate command of realist principles and practices. Part of the fascination with his work lies in his ability to depect a surreal scene in a believable realist manner.
Many of the Impressionist painters were also classically trained, but, as the twentieth century unfolded, the training was rapidly lost, as newer ideas about what painting was or could be, or should be swept the ever-changing fashions of art. In the past few decades realist sensibilities are again appreciated, and many artists are searching for the technical skills which will allow them to paint what they see, either in front of them or in their mind's eye.
It is to this end that the website and this blog are dedicated.
posted by Martin de Madrid | 11:44 AM
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