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Diego Giacometti was a Swiss sculptor and designer, and the younger brother of the sculptor Alberto Giacometti.
Georges Jouve was an important ceramist of the 20th century. At 17 years old, Jouve enrolled at the prestigious Ecole Boulle in Paris where he received theoretical instruction in Art History in addition to his technical studies as a sculptor. After Graduation in 1930 he first embarked on his artistic career as a theatrical set designer. During World War II, Jouve was captured by the Germans and interned in a German camp. After several attempts he escaped from the camp and took refuge at his step parents home in a potters village in the South of France called Dieulefit. In 1944, Jouve and his family moved back to Paris. He opened his studio in Paris and was invited by Jacques Adnet to participate in the exhibition “La Ceramique Contemporaine” by the Compagnie des Arts Francais. He then participated annually in numerous 'Salons' in France and internationally such as the “Salon des Artistes Decorateurs” in Paris, Association Francaise d'Action Artistique in Rio de Janeiro, and Vienna, Toronto, Rome, Milan, and Cairo.
Georges Jouve was an important ceramist of the 20th century. At 17 years old, Jouve enrolled at the prestigious Ecole Boulle in Paris where he received theoretical instruction in Art History in addition to his technical studies as a sculptor. After Graduation in 1930 he first embarked on his artistic career as a theatrical set designer. During World War II, Jouve was captured by the Germans and interned in a German camp. After several attempts he escaped from the camp and took refuge at his step parents home in a potters village in the South of France called Dieulefit. In 1944, Jouve and his family moved back to Paris. He opened his studio in Paris and was invited by Jacques Adnet to participate in the exhibition “La Ceramique Contemporaine” by the Compagnie des Arts Francais. He then participated annually in numerous 'Salons' in France and internationally such as the “Salon des Artistes Decorateurs” in Paris, Association Francaise d'Action Artistique in Rio de Janeiro, and Vienna, Toronto, Rome, Milan, and Cairo.
Aert van der Neer was a Dutch painter of the Gilded Age.
Van der Neer is considered a pioneer of the night landscape because of his successful solutions to lighting issues in his works. He painted many pictures of winter landscapes, including nighttime fires.
Jeffrey Lynn Koons is an American artist recognized for his work dealing with popular culture and his sculptures depicting everyday objects, including balloon animals produced in stainless steel with mirror-finish surfaces. He lives and works in both New York City and his hometown of York, Pennsylvania. His works have sold for substantial sums, including at least two record auction prices for a work by a living artist: US$58.4 million for Balloon Dog (Orange) in 2013 and US$91.1 million for Rabbit in 2019.
Critics are sharply divided in their views of Koons. Some view his work as pioneering and of major art-historical importance. Others dismiss his work as kitsch, crass, and based on cynical self-merchandising. Koons has stated that there are no hidden meanings and critiques in his works.
Willem de Kooning was a Dutch-American abstract expressionist painter. Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, he moved to the United States in 1926, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1962. He was a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionism movement, known for his dramatic and often energetic style. He gained prominence between 1948 and 1953, creating some of his most iconic works, including the Woman series.
De Kooning's paintings combined abstraction with elements of Cubism, Surrealism, and Expressionism. His style evolved over time, with works that ranged from figurative to more abstract pieces. Among his most notable works are "Woman I" (1950-52) and "Excavation" (1950), which reflect his unique approach to painting, characterized by vigorous brushstrokes, bold colors, and complex textures.
Despite his success, de Kooning faced challenges, including personal struggles with alcoholism and deteriorating health due to Alzheimer's disease in his later years. His artwork has had a lasting impact on modern art, and his pieces can be found in major museums and galleries worldwide, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
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Jeffrey Lynn Koons is an American artist recognized for his work dealing with popular culture and his sculptures depicting everyday objects, including balloon animals produced in stainless steel with mirror-finish surfaces. He lives and works in both New York City and his hometown of York, Pennsylvania. His works have sold for substantial sums, including at least two record auction prices for a work by a living artist: US$58.4 million for Balloon Dog (Orange) in 2013 and US$91.1 million for Rabbit in 2019.
Critics are sharply divided in their views of Koons. Some view his work as pioneering and of major art-historical importance. Others dismiss his work as kitsch, crass, and based on cynical self-merchandising. Koons has stated that there are no hidden meanings and critiques in his works.
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Lawrence Alma-Tadema was a Dutch-British artist renowned for his detailed and romanticized portrayals of ancient civilizations, particularly Rome and Egypt. His meticulous attention to historical accuracy and the lavish representation of marble and luxurious settings distinguished his work. Notably, his fascination with ancient cultures was sparked by his honeymoon visit to Italy and Pompeii, influencing his artistic focus for decades.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema's early work, such as "The Education of the Children of Clovis," showcased his interest in historical subjects and established his reputation. This painting, alongside others like "The Sad Father," demonstrates his commitment to historical detail and narrative depth.
After moving to England due to the Franco-Prussian War and personal reasons, Lawrence Alma-Tadema's career flourished. His works, characterized by their bright palette and refined details, resonated with Victorian audiences, earning him considerable fame and financial success. He was knighted in 1899 and continued to be a pivotal figure in Victorian art, influencing peers and future generations alike.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema's legacy experienced a decline posthumously but saw a resurgence in the 1970s. Today, he is celebrated for his contributions to the Neoclassical and Victorian art movements, with his works featured in prominent collections worldwide, including the Getty Museum and the Tate Gallery.
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Domínikos Theotokópoulos, most widely known as El Greco ("The Greek"), was a Greek painter, sculptor and architect of the Spanish Renaissance.
William Shakespeare was a British poet and playwright and writer.
William's father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant and official in Stratford. There are reports that he was a sailor for a time before joining a theater company in London. Beginning in the 1590s, Shakespeare began writing plays, and in 1593 he published a poem, Venus and Adonis, which became popular. He dedicated it to the Duke of Southampton, who was a philanthropist and patron of talent, and soon his business was booming.
From 1592 to 1600 Shakespeare wrote his dramas and romantic comedies "Richard III", "The Taming of the Shrew", "Romeo and Juliet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Merchant of Venice", as well as the comedies "Much Ado About Nothing", "Twelfth Night" and the tragedy "Julius Caesar". The playwright's business was so successful that he even bought a large house in Stratford. In 1599, Shakespeare became one of the owners, playwright and actor of the new theater "Globe". In 1603 King James took Shakespeare's troupe under his direct patronage. In the mature period, the great playwright turned to tragedies, there were "Hamlet", "Othello", "King Lear", "Macbeth" and others.
Although in the 19th century researchers had some doubts about the authorship of many of these works, William Shakespeare is considered the greatest English playwright, one of the best playwrights in the world. His plays have been translated into all major languages and to this day form the basis of the world theatrical repertoire, most of them have been screened many times. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Shakespeare remains the world's best-selling playwright, and his plays and poems have sold more than 4 billion copies in the nearly 400 years since his death.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a prominent French Rococo painter, left an indelible mark on the art world with his vivacious and hedonistic approach to painting. Born in Grasse, France, in 1732, Fragonard's journey into the art world was marked by his early apprenticeship under François Boucher, whose influence is evident in the young artist's work. Fragonard's talent and skill were recognized early on when he won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1752, which allowed him to study at the French Academy in Rome.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard's work is characterized by a remarkable facility, exuberance, and a penchant for themes of love and voluptuousness that resonated with the opulent and pleasure-seeking milieu of Louis XV's court. His paintings, such as "The Swing" (Wallace Collection), "Blind Man's Bluff," and "The Bolt," are celebrated for their tender beauty, vibrant color, and the virtuosity of his brushwork. These works encapsulate the essence of Rococo art with their playful themes, intricate compositions, and luminous palette.
Despite the initial success and the king's patronage, which saw his piece "Coresus et Callirhoe" being bought and reproduced at the Gobelins factory, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's career took a turn as the French Revolution upended the social order and the artist's private patrons were guillotined or exiled. This period forced Fragonard to leave Paris, seeking refuge in Grasse. He returned to the capital in the early 19th century, where he died in 1806, almost forgotten. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that Fragonard's work was re-evaluated, cementing his position among the masters of French painting. His influence on the Impressionists, particularly Renoir and his grandniece Berthe Morisot, is undeniable, showcasing his lasting impact on the trajectory of art history.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's oeuvre represents the pinnacle of Rococo art, offering a glimpse into the opulent and sensuous world of 18th-century France. His paintings are not just artistic achievements but are also historical documents that reflect the cultural and social dynamics of his time.
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Hans Memling (German Hans Memling, Dutch Jan van Mimmelynghe, Latin Johannes Memmelinc or Memlinc) is a Flemish painter of German origin, one of the most important artists of Flanders of the Northern Renaissance. Continuing the late Gothic painting tradition, Memling primarily painted spiritual themes. Born in Hesse, he worked mainly in Bruges, where today there is a museum named after him.
Joaquín Torres-García was a Uruguayan-Spanish artist.
His art is associated with archaic universal culture, including Mediterranean cultural traditions, Noucentisme, and modern classicism. Torres-García developed a unique style (first known as "Art Constructif") during the 1930s, while he lived in Paris. Arte Constructivo (Constructive Art), a school he opened in Madrid, became Universalismo Constructivo (Universal Constructivism, a treatise he published in South America while teaching in his workshops Asociación de Arte Constructivo and El Taller Torres-García). Torres-García's art combines classical and archaic traditions with 20th-century "-isms": Cubism, Dada, neo-plasticism, primitivism, surrealism, and abstraction.
