Still life Caravaggio: Caravaggio’s Basket of Fruit

Monday April 3rd, 2017 , Artists and Works, Schools & Periods

Image source: ArteWorld.it

STILL LIFE: CARAVAGGIO AND THE BASKET OF FRUIT

Still life Caravaggio. Caravaggio’s Basket of Fruit is considered to be the first Italian still-life painting, a pictorial genre which already existed and had a long tradition behind, and whose undisputed masters were the Flemish painters.
In Italy the use of still life was only a decorative addition, but thanks to Caravaggio at last it became an independent subject.

Caravaggio with his Basket of Fruit gave still life new dignity, by putting it on the same level as figurative painting.
Caravaggio didn’t search for aesthetically pleasing representations, but he searched for reality, because to him painting meant to accept life as it is, without decorations and with all its imperfections.

Edouard Manet: the Luncheon on the grass

Monday March 27th, 2017 , Artists and Works

EDOUARD MANET: THE LUNCHEON ON THE GRASS

When I think of Edouard Manet, the first painting that comes to my mind is The Luncheon on the grass, the first painting which distances itself from academic painting, and which marks the beginning of the artistic career of the master of the Impressionists.

In this post I’ll tell you why The Luncheon on the grass is an important work.

Henrick Goltzius

Monday March 20th, 2017 , Artists and Works

Image source: https://visualpursuits.org

HENRICK GOLTZIUS

Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617) was the most important Dutch engraver of the Baroque period.
Goltzius was contemporary with Rembrandt, the author of the painting “The Night Watch”, and maybe more famous than he was.

Goltzius’s works are detailed and sensual, although his right hand was deformed due to a severe burn caused by an accident in which he risked dying when he was a baby.

The Birth of Venus and Botticelli’s muse

Monday March 6th, 2017 , Artists and Works

Image source: Cultura – Biografieonline.it

BOTTICELLI’S VENUS: THE BIRTH OF VENUS AND BOTTICELLI’S MUSE

Botticelli’s Venus. The days I spent in Florence in January were characterized by rest and relaxation, and those who followed me on Instagram could see what places I visited and what artworks I admired.
The most exciting day was the day I dedicated to my visit to the Uffizi Gallery.

Even though it was the second time I entered this extraordinary museum, I admired the masterpieces on exhibition as if it were the first time, and among them there was The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli.
It’s one of the most beautiful paintings ever painted, but have you ever asked yourself if the woman depicted as Venus really existed?

In this post I’ll reveal who the model from whom Botticelli drew inspiration to represent the goddess of beauty was.

Keith Haring: things to know

Monday February 27th, 2017 , 5 Things to know, Artists and Works

Image source: brunch.co.kr

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT KEITH HARING

Keith Haring was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on May 4^th 1958.
From 1976 to 1978 he studied commercial art in Pittsburgh, and then at the age of 19 he moved to New York to study at the School of Visual Arts. Arrived in New York, Haring began to draw graffiti and murals, becoming famous in the city.

His style, characterised by stick men, vivid colours and bold lines, soon became recognisable, and the images of his works and his basic characters spread even outside the township line of New York.

READ ALSO: Keith Haring in Milan.