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Gordon Onslow Ford was a painter, watercolourist and draughtsman.
At the time of his death at his home, he was among the last of the Parisian Surrealist group, which he joined in 1938. While still in Paris before the Second World War, Onslow Ford developed a technique called coulage, anticipating the method made famous by Jackson Pollock. By letting enamel paint flow freely onto a canvas, he took advantage of the effects of chance so admired by the Surrealists in their quest for automatic processes that could tap into the unconscious. Sometimes he superimposed lines and geometric shapes on fluid, indeterminate forms to bring order and stability to the canvas. In the same years, he also produced landscapes full of biomorphic forms. Finely crafted paintings of this type, often incorporating cryptic symbols, continued to evolve for some time thereafter. In California, he continued his quest to represent an inner world in harmony with nature by imagining ineffable ethers supporting abstract forms and floating points of light.
Lynn Russell Chadwick was an English sculptor and artist. Much of his work is semi-abstract sculpture in bronze or steel.
Öyvind Axel Christian Fahlström was a Swedish artist known for his colourful paintings of people and objects in miniature.
Enrico Bai was an Italian sculptor, painter, art theorist and anarchist.
Pablo Ruiz Picasso, a Spanish artist renowned for his revolutionary contributions to the 20th-century art scene, is a figure that resonates profoundly with collectors and art experts. His unique blend of talents in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramic art, infused with his time in France, positioned him as a pivotal character in modern art history.
Picasso's artistic journey was marked by distinct periods, each showcasing his evolving style and genius. His early years were characterized by the Blue Period (1901-1904), followed by the Rose Period (1904-1906), and then the African-influenced Period (1907-1909). Picasso's name is synonymous with Cubism, a movement he co-founded, which significantly altered artistic perspectives and methods. Works like "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) and "Guernica" (1937) are emblematic of his cubist legacy, the latter being a poignant anti-war statement that remains influential.
His later years saw a return to more traditional styles, with neoclassical and surrealist influences becoming evident. Works from these phases reflect a deep engagement with mythological themes, as seen in "Faun with Stars" (1955), symbolizing his late-life romance with Jacqueline Roque, his second wife.
Picasso's prolific output and innovative spirit made him a legend in his own time, a status that only grew after his death. His works, housed in major museums and private collections worldwide, continue to captivate and inspire.
As a collector or expert in art and antiques, staying informed about Picasso's works, their auction events, and sales is essential. To stay updated on the latest developments and opportunities related to Pablo Picasso, sign up for our specialized updates. Rest assured, this subscription will focus solely on new product sales and auction events pertaining to Picasso's art, ensuring that you receive only the most relevant and valuable information.
Francesco Petrarca was an Italian poet, the founder of European humanism, and one of the greatest figures of the Italian Proto-Renaissance.
Petrarca studied at the University of Montpellier, then at the University of Bologna, in 1330 entered the service of Cardinal Giovanni Colonna as a chaplain. Then he made various pilgrimages, in 1353 settled in Milan at the court of Archbishop Giovanni Visconti, and carried out important diplomatic missions. Petrarca spent the last years of his life in the village of Arquà near Padua.
Since 1337 Petrarca began to write literary works: these were historical poems in Latin and lyric poems in Italian. In 1327 Francesco saw Laura for the first time, undivided love for which was the main source of his poetry. Laura was for him an object of adoration and pure platonic love. Despite the fact that they saw each other only a few times and were not really acquainted, Petrarca carried this feeling through his life.
Passionate about ancient culture, Petrarch deciphered and commented on the manuscripts of Cicero, Quintilian and others. He opposed medieval scholasticism interest in the earthly purpose of man, argued that the nobility of man depends not on the nobility of origin, but on his virtue. Petrarca highly valued the mind and creative abilities of man, and these humanistic ideas found vivid expression in his lyrics, revealing the inner world of man. Petrarca's work laid the foundation for the formation of Italian humanism. He also dreamed of the unification of Italy, the revival of the former greatness of Rome.
Francesco Petrarca had one of the richest libraries of his time, where ancient Roman writers, poets, historians, philosophers were represented. He was one of the brightest representatives of the culture of the Renaissance. Petrarca's works are characterized by perfection of form and musicality of verse, which played a significant role in the development of European poetry. Among his works are the poem "Africa" about the Second Punic War in Latin, allegorical pastoral eclogues "Bucolics" (1346/1357), a book of songs "My Italy", "Noble Spirit", sonnets, etc.
Alighiero Fabrizio Boetti, known as Alighiero e Boetti, was an Italian conceptual artist, considered to be a member of the art movement Arte Povera.
Perhaps best known is Boetti's series of large embroidered maps of the world, called simply Mappa.
Josef Hoffmann, an Austrian architect and designer, is renowned for his influential contributions to early 20th-century design and architecture. As a founding member of the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann's work is celebrated for its pioneering simplicity and functional elegance.
Josef Hoffmann's designs, which span furniture, decorative arts, and architecture, are distinguished by their minimalistic yet expressive style. His ability to blend aesthetics with functionality marked a significant departure from the ornate styles of the time, influencing modern design principles. Notable works include the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, a masterpiece that showcases his innovative approach to art and architecture.
His creations are preserved in prestigious museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, providing insight into his visionary approach to design. These institutions house collections of Hoffmann's furniture and decorative objects, reflecting his enduring impact on design and architecture.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Josef Hoffmann's work offers a study in the evolution of modern design. By subscribing to updates, enthusiasts can stay informed about exhibitions, sales, and academic research related to Josef Hoffmann, deepening their understanding of his contributions to the art and design world.
