Biography: Salvador Dali – Part 3
November 27, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
“The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad.” so said Salvador Dali,
one of the most important artists of our time.
Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dal i Domnech, was born on May 11, 1904, in Catalonia, Spain. Dal’s older brother, also named Salvador, had died nine months earlier. When he was five, Dal was taken to his brother’s grave and told that he was his brother’s reincarnation.This greatly influenced Dali for the rest of his life as he believed it to be true. Though Salvador’s father was strict,his mother encouraged the boy’s creative efforts.
Dal attended drawing school and had his first public exhibition at the Municipal Theater in Figueres in 1919.His mother was his greatest advocate and supporter. When she died of cancer in 1921,he was devastated.Being only 16 years old, he said her death was the greatest blow he had ever experienced.He and his younger sister,Ana Maria, were not resentful however,when their father married their mother’s sister.
In 1922, Dal moved into the Residencia de Estudiantes (Students’ Residence) in Madrid[7] and there studied at the Academia de San Fernando (School of Fine Arts).He began to experiment with Cubism,a new movement of that time. His flambouyant personal style had already earned him the most attention of all his fellow students.
Dal was expelled from the Academia in 1926 because he said he was so much better than his teachers that they could not judge his work.Undaunted,Dali made his first trip to Paris where he met with Pablo Picasso. Having great admiration for Picasso,Dali painted several pieces in that style as he developed his own unique way of working.
1929 brought the most important event of Salvador Dali’s life.He met the love of his life and his muse… Gala, born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova, a Russian immigrant eleven years his senior who was then married to the surrealist poet Paul luard.
Gala and Paul Eulard promised to visit Dali in Cadaqus during the next summer, a meeting arrangement that also included other artists and their wives.
Dali’s love for Gala, became obsessive then . He tried everything to get her attention such as waxing his armpit and dying it blue, applying goat excrements upon himself and wearing a red geranium on his head. His emotion was such, that every time he tried to talk to her, he suffered uncontrollable laughing attacks.
Once Dali fell on his knees laughing, he declared his love for her, and Gala said “… my boy, let us never
Top Ten Tips For Art Lovers
November 18, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
Paris
Ah, Paris! – The illustrious city of romance and style, with its iconic architecture, famous fashion houses and grand museums housing a dazzling array of art pieces. This is by far, one of the best art destinations in the world. The largest and possibly the most impressive gallery is the Louvre, which houses amongst many other pieces, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Fans of the classics should visit Musee d’Orsay, which boasts a number of 19th and 20th century pieces by artists such as Cézanne, Renoir, Monet, Manet and Van Gogh. For modern art lovers, the Centre Pompidou will not fail to impress – it’s worth visiting just to see its industrial inside-outside exterior, which has caused mush controversy over the years. Paris is also home to the Picasso Museum and Rodin Museum.
Rome
The stunning city of Rome is positively abundant with breathtaking architecture and art, spanning hundreds of years. The Vatican Museums were founded in the 16th century and house a large number of pieces from the Roman Catholic Church. Artists who are displayed in the museums include Caravaggio, Raphael and Michelangelo. A trip to Rome is not a trip to Rome without a breathtaking look at the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s highly detailed paintings adorn over 12,000sqft of the ceiling – simply divine. Also worth visiting is the Borghese Gallery, a grand structure showcasing an impressive range of art pieces.
London
The vibrant city of London is alive with an eclectic mix of galleries and museums. Classical, contemporary and downright controversial – this city has it all. For a well-rounded overview of modern art, a visit to Tate Modern is a must. This vast former power station showcases the work of Salvador Dali, Sarah Lucas, Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Henri Matisse among many others. Tate Britain is also well worth a visit, as it houses the largest collection of British art in the world, showing work from the past five centuries in a series of changing exhibitions. There is an impressive display of Western European painting at The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery is the place to go to view a varied collection of painted portraits.
Smaller galleries include: White Cube, Flowers East and the Photographers Gallery.
New York
New York is a fabulous yet frenetic city, with literally hundreds of art galleries waiting to be discovered. Fans of contemporary art need to head to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Founded in 1929 as an educational institution, the gallery houses a superb mix of modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and much more.
Housed in a stunning building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art proudly features work from many different genres. Artists who have exhibited have included Jeff Koons and J.W.M Turner. Located in Manhattan, the iconic Guggenheim Museum is itself a work of art. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the building was originally created to showcase avant-garde work by early modernists and now houses an impressive range of art including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky.
Barcelona
With its sandy beaches, beautiful buildings and a pleasant year-round climate this city is the ideal place to visit for sunshine and culture!
Forming an essential part of Barcelona’s history, the Picasso Museum showcases an extensive collection of Picasso’s pieces and should be first on any art lover’s list of places to visit. Some of the earliest pieces that are on display were painted when Pablo was just nine years old – fascinating stuff.
The National Art Museum of Catalonia is a breathtaking building, which was first built for the 1929 World’s Fair. Here you can see examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Modern Art as well as historical photography collection.
The Joan Miro Foundation is a museum containing Joan’s work dating back to 1914. There’s an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, tapestries and early sketches.
Berlin
Since its reunification in 1990, the city of Berlin has reinvented itself as the cultural capital of Germany with a relaxed attitude and multitude of museums and galleries. Top of any art lover’s list is should be The New National Gallery – a sleek, steel and glass structure designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe between 1965 -1968. Visitors can look forward to seeing sculptures by Henry Moore, paintings by Edvard Munch and a host of works from the Impressionist, Expressionist, Bauhaus, Surrealist and Contemporary movements. The Old National Gallery on the other hand, is a classical building housing an excellent selection of 19th century and is located in the heart of the city.
For an unusual and moving experience, the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery is a must-see. The gallery is the largest open air gallery in the world – and takes up a 1.3km section of the existing Berlin Wall. Over 105 paintings cover the memorial, celebrating freedom and the end of the division.
Chicago
There’s a lot to be said about ‘the windy city’ Chicago. This friendly and diverse city regularly hosts a wealth of festivals, exhibitions and parades and is well know for its art scene.
The Art Institute of Chicago is an art school and museum combined. Visit here to see the impressive array of sculptures, paintings, photography, sketches and textiles. As well as a host of miniature rooms depicting interiors from the late 13th century up to the 1930s.
The Chicago Cultural Center is a landmark of the city which showcases over 1,000 exhibitions and programs covering a wide range of the arts each year. The building is well worth a visit, if only just to view the magnificent architecture.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a superb space, showcasing a range of thought-provoking contemporary pieces. Whereas the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design is dedicated to all areas of the discipline – product design, architecture, industrial and urban planning.
Florence
The city of Florence is a busy destination which is popular with tourists who have travelled the globe to view some of the most spectacular pieces of renaissance art in the world. It will be impossible for most visitors to experience everything that Florence has to offer, therefore a trip to the Uffizi Gallery is a must. The gallery houses many of the Italy’s most celebrated paintings including the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. Be sure to book your ticket well in advance as long queues are guaranteed. The Academy Art Gallery showcases an outstanding collection of Michelangelo’s paintings, another gallery that is not to be missed!
There is a good collection of Medieval and Renaissance works at the Gallery of the Spedale degli Innocenti, go and see the superb building, which is in itself a fine example of the Renaissance period.
Vienna
The city of Vienna boats a heady mix of Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings creating a perfect base for art enthusiasts. There’s a wealth of museums and art galleries just waiting to be explored including the Museum of Applied Arts, Museum Quartier Wien, the Austrian Gallery and the Museum Moderner Kunst.
Visit the Museum of Applied arts to view the impressive collection of glassware, china, silverware, furniture and textiles from the Middle Ages to present day. The museum also features the work of famous Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.
The Museum Quartier Wien (Museum Quarter) is made up of three building complexes: Leopold Museum Kunsthalle Wien, Black Cube and White Cube. This is a fantastic area to photograph as the buildings create an unusual contrast with one another and it’s also the perfect place to view a variety of fascinating exhibitions. Some classic, some subversive.
Finally, the Austrian Gallery features a range of Baroque and Medieval art, alongside European art from the 19th and 20th century.
Amsterdam
This beautiful city is famous for its iconic tulips, narrow streets, pretty canals and bridges. It is also home to many great art galleries, the most famous being the Van Gogh Museum.
The Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s art work in the world and is an essential visit in Amsterdam. See how the famous artist developed his work over the years and how his style influenced other artists in the 19th century. Fans of Rembrandt, can visit the house where he lived and view a selection of his work including many etchings and paintings. It is a fascinating experience, taking visitors on a journey through the artists’ life.
The Stedelijk Museum provides one of the most extensive collections of modern art in the world, displaying works from the Impressionist, Fauvism, Cubism and Expressionist movements. There is also a superb display of Dutch photography.
National Gallery, Victoria
October 27, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Impressionist
Founded in 1861, The National Gallery of Victoria is the largest and oldest public art gallery in Australia. Located in Melbourne, the gallery currently houses over 63,000 works of art by various local and international masters of the field. As part of the gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria Art School performs a necessary service by providing academic art training facilities for Australian residents. The gallery has permanent exhibitions, as well as seasonal and temporary displays.
The National Gallery of Victoria is well-known for its International Collection, holding great works by Rembrandt, Marco Palmezzano, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Peter Paul Rubens, Paolo Veronese, Tintoretto and Paolo Uccello. Aboriginal art, photography, fashion and textiles are the more modern art collections available at the National Gallery of Victoria. The overall collection’s diversity includes masterpieces from ancient Greece, Egyptian artifacts, historical European ceramics and a comprehensive range of Australian artworks over several centuries. The largest amount ever paid for an art work displayed at the gallery was for the Paris Bordone “The Rest on the Flight Into Egypt with Saint Catherine and Angels.” The purchase price for this was $3.8 million, partly funded by the NGV Council of Trustees.
The Ian Potter Center, also known as the NGV International, which is part of the National Gallery of Victoria, displays an impressive collection of over 20,000 Australian works, from both old masters and modern artists. The gallery’s building itself is a work of art, with a Leonard French ceiling consisting
one of the world’s largest suspended stained glass pieces. The Australian collection housed in the Ian Potter Center includes the Joseph Brown Collection, donated by its namesake.
The National Gallery of Victoria became a notorious part of Australian history when the Pablo Picasso painting “The Weeping Woman” was stolen in 1986. The painting was returned a week later, after been used as pawn in a cultural protest against ill-treating artists during the time. The gallery holds exhibitions periodically and known as Blockbusters, these exhibitions have included the Impressionists, Dutch Masters (including a Vermeer), Picasso, Caravaggio and selections from the Guggenheim Museums.
Besides offering a peaceful atmosphere for contemplating art and leisurely strolls, the National Gallery of Victoria also arranges lectures, workshops, tours, children’s activities, films and performances related to art work. Visitors can easily take a day or more to view the exhibits and take in the artistic splendor and if you are an art lover, you should consider staying at one of the hotels in Melbourne.TheLangham Hotel Melbourne is ideal if you want luxurious accommodations. There are plenty of hotels in Melbourne for you to choose from.
Develop Your Creativity With Oil Paintings
October 26, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Impressionist
Traveling by Europe you can learn about art and Spain is a country with a rich culture. This time our theme is the Spanish painter Diego Velazquez. First, try to get Oil Paintings and then continue with your exploration. Diego Velazquez was born in Seville in 1599. He was possibly the Spain’s greatest baroque artist. Between the ages of 11 and 16 he worked as an apprentice to the Mannerist painter, Francisco Pacheco, with him, Velazquez gained the influences of Italian realism.
Velazquez main works are divided in different museums of the world, obviously, majority are located in Spain. Velazquez was an individualistic painter of the contemporary baroque period; portraits were part of his specialty. Majority of his artworks were made in Oil Paintings. If you don’t have the chance to visit Spain, several art galleries exhibit Velazquez works in the entire world.
Recognized painters consider to Diego Velazquez as a model of the realist and impressionist style, for example Eduoard Manet and then Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The significance of Velazquez’s art endures until today. The famous Pablo Picasso presented the most durable homage to Velazquez in 1957 when he recreated Velazquez’s masterpiece “Las Meninas” in his typically cubist form.
These are some artworks of Diego Velazquez: Christ in the House of Martha and Mary (1618), Las Meninas (1656), Mercury and Argus (1659), Portrait of Duke de Olivares (1635), The Surrender of Breda (1633 – 1635), El Triunfo de Baco (1628-1629), Esopo (1639-1640), The Adoration of the Magi (1619), The Lady with a Fan (1638 – 1639), The Lunch (1617), The Waterseller of Seville (1620). These ancient works are made in Oil Paintings.
Pablo Picasso – One of the Worlds Most Famous Artists
October 20, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality”. These were the words spoken by child prodigy Pablo Picasso – a Spanish painter, sculptor, graphic artist and ceramist who is considered by many to be the 20th century’s best art genius. No other artist of the modern period achieved the range of influence which Picasso reached over twentieth century abstract art. Picasso is in all probability best known for the part he played in pioneering and developing Cubism. Picasso entered into marriage twice and was the father of four children, three of which were born outside wedlock.
Born in Malaga, Spain on October 25, 1881, Pablo Picasso was the son of a painter by the name of Don José Ruiz Blasco. His mother’s name was Doña Maria Picasso y Lopez. From a young age Picasso showed an exceptional talent for drawing. His father, realizing Picasso’s outstanding talent handed over his palette and brushes to him and swore to never again paint as long as he lived. In 1895 Picasso’s family moved to Barcelona. Picasso – aged 14 – took only one day to pass the entrance examination for the higher class at the Barcelona School of Fine Arts.
Picasso had his first exhibition in 1900 in Barcelona. That same year, he went to Paris – where he settled in 1904 – and his creativity flourished. The period from 1900 to 1904 was known as his ‘Blue Period’. This period of Picasso’s art is characterized by the utilization of different blue shades. These shades underlined the miserable lives of his subjects; he portrayed beggars, prostitutes and alcoholics. The suicide of Carlos Casagemas, Picasso’s friend; and Picasso’s trip to Spain were the stimuli for his Blue Period. His abstract art works during this period included a portrait of Cassagemas after his death, The Frugal Repast (1904) and Portrait of Soler.
The years 1905 and 1906 saw Picasso shifting from the dark Blue Period to a cheery Rose Period, featuring pink and orange colours and with circus-associated subjects. Most of Picasso’s abstract art paintings during the Rose Period were influenced by the affectionate relationship he had with Fernande Olivier. Following numerous variations and studies, Picasso came out with ‘Les demoiselles d’Avignon’, – his first Cubist work in 1907. African artefacts were the inspiration for this painting which critics considered to be only a copy of African ethnic art. In the following years Picasso along with his new artist friend Georges Braque explored the prospects of Cubism.
Picasso’s abstract art phase from 1908 to 1911 was an Analytic Cubism phase. He and Braque created landscape Cubist paintings using neutral colours and monochromatic browns. The Analytic Cubism phase was followed by the Synthetic Cubism phase which lasted up to 1919. Picasso produced his most celebrated art work ‘Guernica’ during his surrealist and neoclassical phase. For many, this large work done while the Spanish Civil War was in progress; was a depiction of the inhumanity, despair and violence of war.
Picasso was one of the participants in a sculpture exhibition held in 1949, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His final works incorporated a variety of styles and were more expressive and colourful. Pablo Picasso passed away, aged 91, on the 8th of April, 1973 in Mougins, France.
As with many of the artists of the period Pablo Picasso created his art on artists canvases made from linen. Create your own art and let your creativeness flow with the new exclusive wide range of canvases from http://www.artistsblankcanvas.co.uk.
The History of Abstract Art
September 27, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
Abstract art has been dated back to the early 1900’s. The very first abstract art ever created was by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. This fine piece of art was titled, Cubism. It is said that abstract art is the mind of an artist and his outlook on the world around him. Many different artist have many different styles. Some bright and colorful, while others are dim and timid. You can see many different strokes and patterns in abstract art. There is no end to what you can create or form with this style. This style is nothing of reality or nature, but more so imaginative art. Therefore nothing is out of ordinary when you create a piece of abstract art. You can express your inner thoughts, and imagination. There were and are many great abstract artists of our times, and several more to come.
Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Damien Hirst, and Brett Whiteley were among the many famous artists. Abstract is a non-realistic painting, you can never grasp the affects of this type of art fully, you can only admire and imagine what the meaning behind the paintings are. It’s very popular in current art circles, for the fact that it is “modern” or contemporary art. You will find that abstract art is refered to those types of art. People now a days want loud, vibrant mixture of colors and themes, others want a softer, darker theme.
Whichever your personal taste is, you will always find something. You can define abstract art as an exaggeration of something simple. Say an artist paints a leaf. Simple colors of green and gold, a touch of brown or red. Whereas an abstract artist might paint the same leaf in the colors of orange and purple, a bit of blue and black. He might elongate it, and widen it, add a swirl to the top, and plaster it on a fuchsia background. Then again, he might use only the simple colors of black, and white on a gray background. The leaf might be small, laying at the bottom of the canvas. There are so many ways to describe abstract art, but the best ways are imagination, exaggeration, stylization and modernization.
Abstract art is also very original. It is hard to duplicate a piece of work in this style of art. This reason makes it very desirable. Abstract art can give life and tranquillity to a room. It can set a mood, or bring out a vibe in people. It can draw attention and host conversations. It can be useful for emotional and mental tranquillity. To have a piece of art that brings peace and relaxation to a human, with soft tender tones and undertones, can make all the difference. Abstract art is very popular and in high demand with interior designers. Alot of interior designers incorporate abstract art into there finished designs to bring together their creation. And with the endless amount of color choices and moods within this art form, you will find something for everyone. This concludes the article about abstract art. I hope it was helpful in understand the passion and demand for this art form.
Wholesale Paintings, Incomparable Art
August 16, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
Today, oil paint reproduction on canvas is synonymous of warranty. Many painters, professional and beginners prefer to exhibit paintings of this type for diverse reasons. First, oil painting’s materials are easy to find and prices are not expensive, so, you won’t have any problem to find specific products such as palette, colors, easel, brushes, frames, etc. Wholesale paintings offers the most realistic artworks, remember it.
Second, oil paintings have the most realistic results in all styles. There are numerous painting styles like abstract art. For example, abstract art is divided according to the theme. Abstract people, abstract landscape, abstract animal, abstract flower and abstract still life are the most popular themes that you can find. Obviously, you can develop another idea but with the same characteristics. Wholesale paintings develop different styles according to customer’s tastes.
One of the most recognized abstract painters in the entire globe was Pablo Picasso. To this day, Picasso’s works are an icon of the abstract paints. Let’s investigate something about his life and legacy. Pablo Picasso (1881 Malaga, Spain – 1973 Mougins, France) began making drawings when he was 8 years old. He had a special talent that was refined over the years. Simple geometric forms are characteristics in his works. Picasso’s father, Don José had a big influence on him because his father was an art teacher.
Picasso’s work was dividing in the following stages: Blue Period (1901 – 1904), Rose Period (1904 – 1906), Black Period (1906 – 1907) and Cubism (1907 – 1915). Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907), Guernica (1937), The Weeping Woman (1937), Igor Stravinsky (1920), Dora Maar au Chat (1941), Massacre in Korea (1951), Three Musicians (1921), Femme aux Bras Croisés (1902), Nude Woman with a Necklace (1968) and Gertrude Stein (1906) are part of his immense collection. Wholesale paintings have works of Picasso.
Ecotourism in Peru is another kind of tourism but most amazing. You should try another kind of vacations, the experience would be different. Don’t forget to carry a camera to take pictures. Obviously, there are some places with more attractions to visit. Cuzco is the department with more visits in Peru.
"Guernica"
August 13, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
Pablo Picasso’s cubism was created to show all sides of an object at one time. It was intended to engage the viewer with the complete artwork. Guernica is a painting in which Picasso not only engages the viewer but also the viewer’s feelings and mind.
As you look over the painting, one of the first things you see is the mass confusion by the characters in the painting. A mass confusion that the people of Guernica, Spain must have felt when attacked by the German and Italian militaries. The second thing you noticed is the pain and anguish of the people in the painting. The first time I saw this painting was about fifteen years ago and I thought that the painting was so hideous that I could not look at it. But something about the painting called back to my emotions and I had to look again. It was almost as if the pain in the painting needed me to feel it. I still consider this a hideous work but it is also one of Picasso’s greatest because he not only captured the chaos of war but the pain of war. The light that is also an eye shows what Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy was doing to it’s own people. They were spying into the intimate details of the people’s lives and controlling them through fear and pain. This painting shows the evils of all wars and should be something everyone should see and have explained to them. Picasso was not painting a picture here. He was putting the viewer inside the evil of war. War that had destroyed a family, a village, a country and even affected and was trying to destroy a world. It would be a great thing if all people understood the true evil of war. That war destroys not only evil but good and it leaves lasting pain, sorrow and loneliness. Unfortunately our leaders of today have not learned from Guernica the painting or the town.
On The Three Musicians By Pablo Picasso
August 12, 2009 by Portrait Painter
Filed under Abstract & Cubism
In 1921 the “Three Musicians” was created by Pablo Picasso as a farewell piece to Synthetic cubism.
Cubism itself consists of different points of view, typically created through geometric figures, which are then compiled into one complete painting. Cubism lasted for fifteen years and evolved into three phases of Cubism which Picasso explored; Analytical, Synthetic, and Curvilinear.
Analytical Cubism focused mainly on geometric figures without much depth or substance. The images were continually broken down into rectangular or circular shapes. These paintings, however, lacked any real emotion or expression.
In 1912, there was a shift from Analytical Cubism to Synthetic Cubism. What marked this change was the color and passion which Picasso began including in his artwork. Synthetic Cubism really identified Picasso as a sentimental intellect in the art world. Conceptual views and the alteration of a figure’s illustration caused the period to be identified as abstract. Different textures, materials and colors helped to accentuate and define the geometric forms that were featured in Picasso’s works of art. “Three Musicians” was an essential piece to this period.
Although Picasso was embedding emotion and power in his paintings, the cafe setting and instruments were quite simple and lacking of detail. The three musicians pictured are a Harlequin, a Monk and a Pierrot. The Harlequin and the Pierrot are stock characters typically used in old Italian comic theater, a central theme in many of Picasso’s paintings. The Harlequin, the central figure, is taller than the other two faithful musicians playing by his side, and appears to be holding a guitar. The Harlequin became Picasso’s alter ego early on in his work actually starting in the Blue Period and it is generally thought that Picasso was in fact portraying himself as the lead musician in “Three Musicians.”
The other two performers are believed to be a Pierrot and Monk. One theory is that the Monk and the Pierrot were poet friends of Picasso’s. The Pierrot is to the left side of the painting and is holding a saxophone. Along with this, there is a dog beneath his feet appearing to be lost within the shadows for his only identifying traits are his ears, tail and feet. The Monk is standing to the right of the Harlequin and is holding sheet music. However, there is much the small amount of detail in the notes featured on the score is quite peculiar.
It appears that this painting is created by large pieces of either paper or fabric that are then cut and pasted into large geometric shapes, but the painting in fact was entirely done with oil on canvas. The ridged patches of colors and shapes are what cause people to believe that the music being played has an unstable and crooked rhythm.