layered painting
Giambattista Pittoni, an illustrious Venetian painter from the 18th century, was renowned for his religious, historical, and mythological artworks. His style, once established, remained consistent throughout his career, characterized by fluency and expressive theatricality, making his paintings timeless within the Venetian art scene. Despite being less traveled compared to his contemporaries, Pittoni received numerous international commissions, particularly from Germany, reflecting his widespread acclaim.
Giambattista Pittoni's works include altarpieces for various churches across Italy and notable commissions from European royalty and aristocracy. His patrons included Augustus II of Poland, Clemens August of Bavaria, and Philip V of Spain, showcasing his significant influence beyond Italian borders. His artistic journey was influenced by early interactions with Venetian painters like Sebastiano Ricci and later by the Rococo style, evident in his sophisticated and elegant use of color.
Giambattista Pittoni's legacy is evident in various collections, including the National Gallery, London, and the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, which houses a collection of his preparatory studies. As a founding member and later president of the Venice Academy, his contributions to the art world were substantial, leaving an enduring impact on the Venetian art scene and beyond.
For those interested in delving deeper into the world of Venetian art and exploring Giambattista Pittoni's exquisite works, consider signing up for updates on exhibitions, sales, and auctions featuring his art. This will provide enthusiasts and collectors with the latest information and opportunities to engage with Pittoni's enduring artistic legacy.
Norbert Schwontkowski is a German painter. He studied freehand painting at the University of Design in Bremen and at the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg.
Norbert Schwontkowski's work lies between abstraction, realistic representation and caricature. He mixes the unconscious and surreal with the real, the figures and subjects in the artist's paintings resemble complex dreams.
Schwontkowski created his paints from hand-crushed pigments mixed with various materials to produce a multitude of textures.
Anselm Kiefer, a German artist born in 1945, is renowned for his profound contributions to painting and sculpture. He is distinguished by his use of unconventional materials such as straw, ash, clay, lead, and shellac, which he selects for their symbolic and alchemical properties. Anselm Kiefer's works often delve into themes of German history, mythology, and the Holocaust, using these materials to evoke a range of emotions and reflections on past and present.
One of his notable pieces, "Margarete," inspired by Paul Celan's poem "Death Fugue," employs straw to symbolize various themes, including racial purity and the fragility of life. Another significant work, "The High Priestess/Zweistromland," features an installation of lead books, reflecting on the transmission and preservation of knowledge. "Shevirat Ha-Kelim" is a sculpture that explores themes from the Kabbalah, representing the fragmentation of divine attributes.
Anselm Kiefer's art is not just visually impactful but also intellectually stimulating, encouraging viewers to ponder complex historical and philosophical questions. His works are displayed in prestigious venues worldwide, including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and private collections.
For art collectors and experts, Anselm Kiefer's oeuvre offers a compelling blend of historical depth, material innovation, and philosophical inquiry. If you're intrigued by Kiefer's unique approach to art and wish to stay informed about new works and auction events related to Anselm Kiefer, consider signing up for updates to ensure you don't miss out on the opportunity to engage with his profound and evocative creations.
Gerhard Richter is a German visual artist. Richter has produced abstract as well as photorealistic paintings, and also photographs and glass pieces. He is widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary German artists and several of his works have set record prices at auction.
Jörg Immendorff was a German painter and sculptor, stage designer and decorator, and a member of the New Wild movement.
Immendorff painted in cycles that often lasted for years and were political in nature. His series of sixteen large paintings, Café Deutschland (1977-1984), is well known. In these colorful paintings, numerous disco lovers symbolize the conflict between East and West Germany.
Immendorff prepared several stage productions and designed sets for the operas Elektra and The Rider's Voyage. 25 of Immendorf's paintings were selected in 2006 for the illustrated Bible.
Jean-Édouard Vuillard was a French artist, celebrated for his role in the avant-garde group Les Nabis. Known for his decorative art and printmaking, Vuillard's work was heavily influenced by Japanese prints, which is evident in his unique style of flattened color planes and simplified forms. His paintings, often of interior scenes, are distinguished by their intimate and domestic subjects, displaying a keen sensitivity to the subtle dynamics of everyday life.
In the late 1880s, Vuillard joined Les Nabis, a group of artists who sought to break away from traditional artistic concepts. This association played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic philosophy. Vuillard’s early works, like "The Seamstresses" (1890) and "Child in an Orange Shawl" (1894–95), demonstrate his evolving style, marked by the use of vibrant colors and a distinct lack of perspective, aimed at exploring spatial relationships.
Vuillard's artistic journey included ventures into theater decoration and interior design. He designed stage sets and theater programs, notably for Lugné-Poe's Theatre de l’Oeuvre, and also worked on large-scale panel paintings for French patrons. His close collaboration with the Natanson brothers, founders of the cultural review La Revue Blanche, was significant in his career. This association brought him various commissions, including decorative works for private homes and public buildings.
Vuillard's art evolved over time, transitioning from his Nabis-style works to more naturalistic portraits in the 1920s and 1930s. Despite this shift, his focus remained on portraying the intricacies of domestic life, often featuring the people closest to him. Notable among his subjects were Misia Natanson, a prominent figure in the Parisian cultural scene, and Lucy Hessel, with whom Vuillard had a long-term relationship.
For art collectors and experts, Vuillard's works are a window into the intimate spaces of Parisian life at the turn of the century. His ability to transform everyday scenes into art makes his work particularly appealing. Pieces like "The Green Interior" (1891) and "Breakfast at Villerville" (1910) are exemplary of his style and are celebrated for their quiet yet profound depiction of ordinary life.
Vuillard's legacy lives on in galleries and museums worldwide. His work remains a testament to the power of domestic scenes in art, capturing the essence of the period with a unique blend of realism and abstraction.
For those interested in the subtle beauty of Vuillard's work, subscribing to our updates will ensure you stay informed about new sales and auction events featuring his art. Our updates are tailored for connoisseurs like you, providing insights into the world of art and antiques, with a focus on Vuillard's enduring legacy.
