stanley william hayter
Stanley William Hayter was a British painter, graphic artist and art theorist.
Hayter graduated from King's College, London, having studied chemistry and geology, and began working in the laboratory of Samuel Smiles on organic sulfur compounds. After receiving a contract from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, he worked in Iran, and in his spare time he painted portraits of friends, landscapes, views of oil developments, ships... In 1926 he enrolled at the Académie Julian, and in addition to painting, he took up etching. In 1927 Hayter founded the legendary Atelier 17 studio in Paris, which was visited by all the famous contemporary artists.
In 1940 Hayter and his sculptor wife moved to the United States, where he moved his studio. Hayter's painting during these years shifted from Surrealism to a style increasingly dominated by automatism and linear structure. Pensive, black lines dominate many of the works, and mythological themes play an increasing role. Hayter played a leading role in the formation of the art that came to be known as Abstract Expressionism.
In 1950, the artist returned to Paris, where at his Atelier 17 he taught painting and drawing, developed new gravure color printing techniques, and published books on the theory of graphics and printmaking.
Stanley William Hayter was a British painter, graphic artist and art theorist.
Hayter graduated from King's College, London, having studied chemistry and geology, and began working in the laboratory of Samuel Smiles on organic sulfur compounds. After receiving a contract from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, he worked in Iran, and in his spare time he painted portraits of friends, landscapes, views of oil developments, ships... In 1926 he enrolled at the Académie Julian, and in addition to painting, he took up etching. In 1927 Hayter founded the legendary Atelier 17 studio in Paris, which was visited by all the famous contemporary artists.
In 1940 Hayter and his sculptor wife moved to the United States, where he moved his studio. Hayter's painting during these years shifted from Surrealism to a style increasingly dominated by automatism and linear structure. Pensive, black lines dominate many of the works, and mythological themes play an increasing role. Hayter played a leading role in the formation of the art that came to be known as Abstract Expressionism.
In 1950, the artist returned to Paris, where at his Atelier 17 he taught painting and drawing, developed new gravure color printing techniques, and published books on the theory of graphics and printmaking.
Joan Miró, a celebrated Spanish artist, was a master in painting, sculpture, and ceramics, renowned for his unique style that blurred the lines between Surrealism, Fauvism, and Expressionism. Born in Barcelona to a family of a goldsmith and a watchmaker, Miró grew up immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the Barri Gòtic neighborhood. His artistic journey began with drawing classes at the age of seven and continued at the prestigious La Llotja art academy. Despite an initial venture into the business world, Miró's passion for art prevailed, leading him to abandon his clerical career after a nervous breakdown.
Miró's work is noted for its exploration of the subconscious, often depicting a childlike perspective. This approach was both a critique of traditional painting methods and a means of expressing Catalan pride. His art, challenging to categorize, often featured symbolic elements and nationalistic qualities. One of his notable early works, "The Farm," reflects a transition to a more individual style, blending elements of his Catalan roots with broader artistic influences. This piece, later purchased by Ernest Hemingway, encapsulated the essence of Spain in its imagery.
In Paris, Miró joined the Surrealist movement in 1924, where his work began to reflect the influence of automatism, emphasizing spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation. He experimented with various mediums, including painting-poetry and collage, and even ventured into set and costume design for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes.
During World War II, Miró remained in Spain, and his work from this period, including the 22 Constellations series, reflected an interest in the night, music, and stars. His forms became increasingly abstracted, and he experimented with various techniques, often incorporating primary colors and evocative titles.
Miró's career spanned several decades, during which he continually evolved his style and explored new mediums. His contributions to art were recognized with numerous awards and retrospectives, including a major career retrospective at MoMA in 1941 and the Spanish Gold Medal for Fine Arts in 1980. Among his last major works was a tapestry for the World Trade Center in New York City, created in 1974.
For art collectors and enthusiasts, Joan Miró remains a figure of immense interest, not only for his distinct style and contributions to Surrealism but also for his ability to blend poetic imagery with political commentary. To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to Joan Miró, sign up for our updates and immerse yourself in the world of this extraordinary artist.
Hans Bellmer was a German graphic artist, sculptor, photographic artist, illustrator, and writer who spent most of his life in France.
In the 1930s Bellmer began working on the eroticized image of the deformed doll, contrasting it with the aesthetics of the "classical" body in Hitler's Germany. His graphic and literary explorations focus on the dismemberment and liberation of bodies. Bellmer's surrealist works are violent and provocative: they include puppet sculptures composed of the bodies of nude models, photographs, and prints.
In 1934, 18 photographs of dolls were published in the Parisian surrealist magazine Minotaur, and the Nazi regime declared Bellmer's art degenerate. In 1938, Bellmer emigrated to France.
After the end of the war, the artist continued his work, adding poetry to painting. He also authored illustrations for many works, particularly on erotic themes.
