Even if it has been sidelined in oil’s favor, very few media offer the same flexibility and variety of results as egg tempera. Maybe you’ve noticed how some ancient Medieval and early Renaissance paintings seem to be made of light. Well, this is due to this extraordinary substance.
Read moreWhat’s the Meaning of Basquiat’s Crown Motif?
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s crown motif appears so often in his art it has become a recognizable symbol in popular culture, appearing on everything from t-shirts to tattoos. Here are 19 examples of crowns in Basquiat’s paintings, along with musings on their meanings.
Read moreWho Is the Most Popular Artist in Britain, and Why Does the Establishment Fear Him?
Prints of his paintings outsell those of Monet, Dali and Van Gogh put together, yet he’s vilified by art critics and almost completely ignored by galleries. So what is it about Jack Vettriano’s work that makes him such a polarising figure?
Read moreGeorgia O’Keeffe: A True Inspiration
Georgia O’Keeffe is often called the “mother of American modernism” and she decidedly deserves that title. Born in 1887, she is famous for her paintings of flowers and her New Mexico inspired landscapes and skulls against dark desert skies.
Read moreLucian Freud – Naked Truth
Growing up as the grandson of Sigmund Freud must have been an interesting psychology journey to say the least. Born in Berlin, Lucian Freud fled to London in 1933, and developed a distinct portraiture style that established him as the leading artist of his time. During his lifetime, Freud transfigured the traditional and favored European portrait with confrontational and often critical portrayals of the sitter. His stark interpretation and particular technique influenced many of the contemporary British artists today.
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