belgian school
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a Dutch Baroque painter and printmaker, was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden, Netherlands, and died on October 4, 1669, in Amsterdam. He is celebrated as one of the greatest storytellers in art history, acclaimed for his adept portrayal of human emotions and dramatic narratives. Rembrandt's extensive oeuvre includes portraits, self-portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical, historical, and biblical themes, as well as animal studies. His artistry shined during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by cultural and scientific achievements in the Netherlands.
Rembrandt's education in art began around the age of 10 when he left the Latin School in Leiden to train as an artist. He apprenticed with artists like Jacob van Swanenburg and Pieter Lastman, mastering various aspects of painting. He opened his own studio in Leiden around 1624 or 1625, sharing it with his colleague Jan Lievens. By 1631, he had moved to Amsterdam, where he achieved significant success and trained many important Dutch painters.
Among Rembrandt's notable works are "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" (1632), "The Night Watch" (1642), and "The Syndics of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild" (1662). He was also renowned for his self-portraits, creating around 80 over his lifetime, more than any other artist until the 20th century. These self-portraits were not just artistic endeavors but also experiments with facial expressions and lighting effects. Additionally, Rembrandt was a master etcher, transforming etching from a reproductive technique into an art form.
Rembrandt's painting style is characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro. His ability to depict materials realistically was unparalleled; his portrayal of metals and fabrics was so lifelike that they appeared to glow and be tangible. He was also known for his impasto technique, applying paint thickly to the canvas, adding a three-dimensional quality to his works.
Despite his artistic prowess, Rembrandt faced financial difficulties and personal tragedies throughout his life. He declared bankruptcy in 1656, a downfall attributed partly to his extensive collection of art objects and curiosities. His masterpieces, however, continued to garner appreciation and influence generations of artists that followed.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Rembrandt's works represent a pinnacle of artistic achievement in the Dutch Golden Age. His mastery in portraying the human condition and his innovative techniques in painting and etching make his works highly prized and influential in the art world.
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Heinrich Johann von Zügel was a German painter of the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter who specialized in depicting farm animals in dramatic and humorous situations.
Von Zügel invested more than 40 years in the subject of "Hard Labor," depicting mostly the work of oxen. By creating 24 versions of this subject, the artist demonstrated the evolution of his skill from realistic detailing to cubic and monumental interpretation. Von Zügel also created light impressionist paintings, including a self-portrait at the age of 77. In addition to animals, he also painted portraits and cityscapes.
Jean-Paul Riopelle was a Canadian painter and sculptor from Quebec. He had one of the longest and most important international careers of the sixteen signatories of the Refus Global, the 1948 manifesto that announced the Quebecois artistic community's refusal of clericalism and provincialism. He is best known for his abstract painting style, in particular his "mosaic" works of the 1950s when he famously abandoned the paintbrush, using only a palette knife to apply paint to canvas, giving his works a distinctive sculptural quality. He became the first Canadian painter since James Wilson Morrice to attain widespread international recognition.
Auguste Herbin was a French painter, celebrated for his contributions to modern art, particularly within the realms of Cubism and abstract painting. Born on April 29, 1882, in Quiévy, Nord, France, Herbin's artistic journey took a significant turn after he moved to Paris in 1903. Initially influenced by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, his style evolved significantly after 1909 when he became acquainted with Cubism, a movement that significantly influenced his work thereafter. By 1917, Herbin was fully immersed in creating abstract compositions, pioneering a unique blend of geometric abstraction that became his signature style. His abstract work, characterized by simple geometric shapes and vivid, unmodulated colors, adhered to a personal theory of art he detailed in his 1949 book, "L'Art non-figuratif, non-objectif".
Herbin's influence extended beyond his paintings; he was a co-founder of the groups Abstraction-Création and Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, advocating for non-figurative abstract art. Despite facing a significant challenge in 1953, when he became paralyzed on the right side and had to adapt by painting with his left hand, Herbin continued to create art until his passing on January 31, 1960, in Paris. His unfinished work, themed around the word "Fin," marks the poignant end of his prolific career.
Today, Herbin's works are housed in prestigious public collections worldwide, including the Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle, The Netherlands; Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, The Netherlands; National Galleries of Scotland; Matisse Museum in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France; and the KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art Aalborg in Denmark, among others. These institutions celebrate Herbin's legacy, showcasing his innovative approach to abstract art that continues to inspire artists and collectors alike.
For enthusiasts and collectors interested in modern art and the evolution of abstract painting, Auguste Herbin's works offer a rich exploration of geometric abstraction and its theoretical underpinnings. Sign up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Auguste Herbin, and delve deeper into the vibrant world of one of France's pioneering abstract artists.
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Jean-François Millet was a French artist and one of the founders of the Barbizon school in rural France. Millet is noted for his paintings of peasant farmers and can be categorized as part of the Realism art movement. Toward the end of his career, he became increasingly interested in painting pure landscapes. He is known best for his oil paintings but is also noted for his pastels, conte crayon drawings, and etchings.
Heinrich Johann von Zügel was a German painter of the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter who specialized in depicting farm animals in dramatic and humorous situations.
Von Zügel invested more than 40 years in the subject of "Hard Labor," depicting mostly the work of oxen. By creating 24 versions of this subject, the artist demonstrated the evolution of his skill from realistic detailing to cubic and monumental interpretation. Von Zügel also created light impressionist paintings, including a self-portrait at the age of 77. In addition to animals, he also painted portraits and cityscapes.
Heinrich Johann von Zügel was a German painter of the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter who specialized in depicting farm animals in dramatic and humorous situations.
Von Zügel invested more than 40 years in the subject of "Hard Labor," depicting mostly the work of oxen. By creating 24 versions of this subject, the artist demonstrated the evolution of his skill from realistic detailing to cubic and monumental interpretation. Von Zügel also created light impressionist paintings, including a self-portrait at the age of 77. In addition to animals, he also painted portraits and cityscapes.