life portrait
Gilbert Charles Stuart was an American painter from Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists. His best-known work is an unfinished portrait of George Washington, begun in 1796, which is sometimes referred to as the Athenaeum Portrait. Stuart retained the portrait and used it to paint scores of copies that were commissioned by patrons in America and abroad. The image of George Washington featured in the painting has appeared on the United States one-dollar bill for more than a century and on various postage stamps of the 19th century and early 20th century.
Stuart produced portraits of more than 1,000 people, including the first six Presidents. His work can be found today at art museums throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Frick Collection in New York City, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, the National Portrait Gallery in London, Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Charles Peale Polk was an American portrait painter and the nephew of artist Charles Willson Peale.
Polk’s earliest paintings were copies of his uncle's originals and he was highly dependent on his uncle's training and guidance. He continued to make copies of many paintings including his own. It is said that he produced fifty-seven reproductions of his George Washington portrait.
Charles Peale Polk was an American portrait painter and the nephew of artist Charles Willson Peale.
Polk’s earliest paintings were copies of his uncle's originals and he was highly dependent on his uncle's training and guidance. He continued to make copies of many paintings including his own. It is said that he produced fifty-seven reproductions of his George Washington portrait.
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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Georg Flegel was a German painter, best known for his still-life works.
According to the RKD he was pupil of Lucas van Valckenborch in Linz during 1582-1592. In a period of about 30 years (c. 1600–1630), he produced 110 watercolor and oil pictures, mostly still-life images which often depicted tables set for meals and covered with food, flowers and the occasional animal.
![ELETS, lu. Istoria Leib-Guardii Grodnenskogo Gusarskogo Polka [History of the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment]. St Petersburg: V.S. Balashev, 1890. Vol. 1 only (of 2), 4° (35 x 28 cm.), 36 portraits and plates, text printed within decorative borde](/assets/image/picture_1874103/39b59/f4163ca051bf01ec6b2a8ece937fdd081638140400jpg__fix_374_244.jpeg)
![ELETS, lu. Istoria Leib-Guardii Grodnenskogo Gusarskogo Polka [History of the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment]. St Petersburg: V.S. Balashev, 1890. Vol. 1 only (of 2), 4° (35 x 28 cm.), 36 portraits and plates, text printed within decorative borde](https://veryimportantlot.com/assets/image/picture_1874103/39b59/f4163ca051bf01ec6b2a8ece937fdd081638140400jpg__fix_374_244.jpeg)
Konstantin Alekseyevich Korovin (Russian: Константи́н Алексе́евич Коро́вин) was a Russian artist and stage designer, renowned for his pivotal role in the transition from Russian Realism to Impressionism. Born in Moscow in 1861, Korovin's artistic journey began at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, where he was heavily influenced by his mentor, Alexei Savrasov. His early work reflected the Realist tradition, but his style evolved after exposure to the vibrant art scenes of Paris and the influence of French Impressionists.
Korovin's contribution to art is marked by his vibrant palette and dynamic brushwork, capturing the transient effects of light and color with a spontaneity that was novel to Russian painting at the time. His works, ranging from lush landscapes and intimate still lifes to vivid portraits, showcase his mastery in evoking mood and atmosphere. Notably, his paintings of the Russian North and scenes of Parisian life have been celebrated for their lively, atmospheric qualities and are held in high esteem in museums and galleries worldwide, including the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg.
Beyond painting, Korovin's legacy includes significant contributions to theater design, where his innovative use of color and lighting brought new dimensions to stage productions in Russia, collaborating closely with the Moscow Art Theatre. His scenic designs for operas and ballets are credited with revolutionizing the visual aspect of Russian theater, making him a pivotal figure in both the visual and performing arts.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Korovin's works represent a unique blend of Russian tradition and Western artistic movements, making them highly sought after. His ability to capture the essence of a moment, whether in the tranquil Russian countryside or the bustling streets of Paris, continues to captivate audiences and scholars alike.
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Ilya Yefimovich Repin (Russian: Илья Ефимович Репин) was a preeminent Russian artist, celebrated for his profound influence on the world of art, particularly painting. Born in 1844 in the Russian Empire, Repin distinguished himself as a pivotal figure in bringing Russian art to the forefront of the European scene. His works, characterized by their vivid realism and profound emotional depth, offer a window into the cultural, social, and historical landscapes of 19th-century Russia.
Repin's oeuvre is a testament to his exceptional skill in capturing the essence of his subjects, ranging from the peasantry to the elite, and his commitment to portraying the Russian spirit. His paintings, such as "Barge Haulers on the Volga" and "Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan," are lauded for their meticulous detail, dynamic compositions, and the way they convey powerful narratives and emotions. These masterpieces are housed in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, including the State Russian Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery, affirming Repin's enduring legacy in the annals of art history.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Repin's works represent not only significant cultural and historical value but also a deep emotional resonance that transcends time. His ability to intertwine the beauty and tragedy of human experience with the rich tapestry of Russian culture makes his art a compelling exploration for enthusiasts and scholars alike. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Ilya Yefimovich Repin, we invite you to sign up for updates. This subscription is a gateway to exclusive insights and opportunities in the realm of art and antiques, focusing solely on Repin's illustrious work.
Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and politician, the 16th President of the United States (March 4, 1861 - April 15, 1865).
The son of a frontiersman and a Kentucky farmer, Lincoln worked hard from an early age and struggled to learn. He was a militiaman in the Indian War, practiced law, and sat in the Illinois legislature for eight years. He was an opponent of slavery and gradually gained a national reputation that earned him victory in the 1860 presidential election.
After becoming the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln turned the Republican Party into a strong national organization. In addition, he drew most Northern Democrats to the Union side. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared permanently free those slaves who were in Confederate territory. Lincoln considered secession illegal and was prepared to use force to defend federal law and the Union. Four more slave states joined the Confederacy, but four remained in the Union, and the Civil War of 1861-1865 began.
Lincoln personally directed the military action that led to victory over the Confederacy. Abraham Lincoln was reelected in 1864, and on April 14, 1865, he was fatally shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. by actor John Wilkes Booth.
Abraham Lincoln is a national hero of the American people, he is considered one of the best and most famous presidents of the United States until today.
