Fine Arts as a discipline has a very rich, vibrant and global antiquity. The discipline has evolved rapidly with time. Art was and is still used as an expression to communicate with the audience. Like people say, ‘A picture is worth a 1000 words’. Over the huge time span of development of fine arts in human history a number of factors have affected the way art, painting in particular has evolved with time. Some of the major factors that help an artiste or an art critique understand the art work is the contemporary social, economic, religious, environmental and political conditions under which the artiste worked. It is these conditions that also determined the techniques and the mediums which were used to produce these artworks. All over the world we have the earliest paintings in the form of Rock-Art which date back to the Pre-Historic times. These paintings were very rudimentary line drawings, though very expressive and informative in a number of ways. This art basically depicted the general everyday practices of the people like dancing, hunting and even rituals and beliefs. Since back then there were less technological means to express themselves these Pre-Historic Hominins drew on the walls of natural rock shelters and they used locally available materials, like in case of India, the most well-known Rock Art site is Bhimbetka. Here, the Hominins used animal blood, ox-hide, ochre from locally available banded-hematite quartzite stones and vegetable dies to color. If one wants to understand the growth and evolution of different painting styles and mediums one needs to understand the growth of society and culture in tandem. Fine Arts could only grow if the society was sedentary, stable and there was regular accumulation of surplus to give attention to other specialized activities. As the division and specialization of labor started getting more granulated more inventions and innovations came forth in Fine Arts as the artistes were given more time and freedom to do so. In the current Art circles types of paintings are compartmentalized according to the first producers of those paintings, or the first city/state/kingdom the painting was made or the in general the cultural or religious thoughts that were the reason for the development of art. But however one must understand that it is not correct to believe that painting styles and techniques originated at one specific region and then were disseminated across the world. The scholarship calls this phenomena ‘Unilineal Cultural Evolution’ which is now highly criticized and the belief is of ‘Multilinear Cultural Evolution’ which propounds that ideas could have originated simultaneously in different silos. For example, what we today all know as the Mughal Miniature Painting Style, it is not a very indigenous style, it has characteristics of Persian Painting Style, local Indian variations like Bundi or Deccani Styles and a lot of European Renaissance Style as well. Hence, painting styles, techniques and mediums have constantly been adapted from other regional styles, techniques and mediums. Keeping the above developments in mind, today, the artistes have managed to enhance their painting styles on different mediums to express their messages to the outside world. Painters today have managed to find the balance between the originalities of various styles and mediums and their personal innovations. Tempera Tempera, a traditional painting medium with a rich history dating back to ancient times, remains a captivating choice for artists seeking a luminous and finely detailed aesthetic. Composed of pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, such as egg yolk, tempera offers a unique balance between opacity and translucency, resulting in artworks that possess both vibrancy and a delicate subtlety. The meticulous nature of tempera painting necessitates careful layering and hatching techniques, allowing artists to achieve intricate textures and meticulous details. Often applied to wooden panels or canvas, tempera creates a surface that is smooth and matte, enhancing the portrayal of intricate subject matter like religious icons, portraits, and intricate patterns. While tempera's historical prominence has evolved with the advent of modern painting materials, its enduring charm lies in its ability to impart a sense of timeless elegance to contemporary and classical artworks alike. Tempera Art- Last Supper by Da Vinci Untitled - VII (2020) by Dhrubajyoti Baral Oil Painting Oil painting, renowned for its depth, richness, and expressive potential, stands as a cornerstone of artistic practice throughout history. This versatile medium involves mixing pigments with linseed oil or other drying oils, creating a paint that dries slowly and allows for extensive manipulation. Oil's hallmark is its capacity to blend smoothly and create subtle gradients, giving artists the ability to capture nuanced transitions of light, shadow, and color. This slow-drying nature grants artists the flexibility to rework and refine their compositions over time, resulting in layered and textured masterpieces that brim with complexity. The luminosity achieved through transparent glazes and the tactile quality of impasto techniques are distinct hallmarks of oil painting. From the opulent portraits of the Renaissance to the evocative landscapes of the Impressionists, oil painting continues to shape the artistic landscape by offering a boundless array of techniques for artists to explore and convey their visions. Painters use different oil paints on the same piece to give it a very distinct multi-dimensional and multi textured look. Oil Painting- Guernica- Pablo Picasso Water Colors Watercolor, celebrated for its transparent and ethereal qualities, captures the essence of lightness and spontaneity in painting. Comprising pigments suspended in a water-based solution, this delicate medium offers artists a unique challenge and reward. Watercolor's fluidity encourages a dynamic interaction between the paint and the surface, resulting in soft washes, subtle gradations, and a luminous effect that allows the white of the paper to shine through. The unforgiving nature of watercolor demands precision and planning, as corrections are limited. This characteristic imparts a sense of immediacy and a fresh, spontaneous quality to artworks. Whether capturing landscapes, florals, or atmospheric scenes, watercolor's ability to evoke emotions through its soft hues and delicate strokes makes it a beloved choice for artists seeking to imbue their creations with a sense of ephemeral beauty and emotional resonance. Cityscape (2022) by Sudipta Karmakar Acrylic Painting Acrylic painting, a modern and versatile medium, has gained widespread popularity for its quick-drying nature and vibrant results. Comprising pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion, this medium offers artists a range of possibilities, from bold and energetic brushstrokes to subtle layers of color. Acrylics allow for seamless layering, enabling artists to build up textures, highlights, and shadows with ease. The medium's fast drying time lends itself to experimentation and rapid transformations, as layers can be applied one after another without long waiting periods. Additionally, acrylics can be used on a variety of surfaces, from canvas and paper to wood and even fabric. The ability to mimic the appearance of both watercolors and oils, depending on dilution and technique, makes acrylics a versatile choice suitable for a wide spectrum of styles and subjects. Whether achieving delicate transparencies or vibrant opacities, acrylic painting offers artists a contemporary tool to express their creativity with immediacy and brilliance. The Circus Parade (2022) by NK Hong Pen and Ink Pen and ink, a classic and timeless medium, encapsulates the beauty of intricate detail and expressive line work in visual art. Utilizing a simple combination of pens and ink, artists can create works that range from intricate and delicate drawings to bold and dynamic compositions. The fine control offered by pens enables artists to convey intricate textures, cross-hatching, and stippling with precision, while the contrast between black ink and white paper can evoke a striking visual impact. The versatility of pen and ink is evident as it can be combined with other mediums such as watercolors, creating mixed-media pieces that harmoniously blend the precision of ink with the fluidity of color. From architectural renderings to intricate illustrations, pen and ink's ability to capture both intricate details and sweeping gestures has made it a beloved choice for artists seeking to convey depth and dimension through lines. This is a truly traditional yet prevalent technique known for its versatility on different mediums. Earliest examples can be found in the form of scrolls from ancient civilizations like at Egypt and China. But predominantly this technique is used today and even in the past for the detailing in the calligraphy or illustrations that it would give. An artiste can focus on the tiniest of details through this technique on mediums like paper, cloth, palm leaves or ceramics. This style is widely used by artistes who work in the illustration business like Graphic Novel or Comic Publishing Houses or Newspapers and Magazines. Pen and Ink- Mystical European Landscapes- Olivia Kemp Pastels Pastels are a captivating and versatile painting medium renowned for their vibrant and luminous qualities. Comprising pure pigment combined with minimal binder, they deliver a direct and intense color application that resonates with a unique visual richness. Pastels exist in various forms, including soft, oil, and hard pastels, each offering distinct textural effects. The velvety texture of soft pastels allows for seamless blending and layering, enabling artists to effortlessly transition between hues and create a smooth gradient of tones. Oil pastels, on the other hand, possess a buttery consistency that encourages both detailed precision and expressive strokes. The remarkable tactile quality of pastels allows artists to capture the essence of their subjects with immediacy, making them a favored choice for portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. Their ability to infuse artworks with an aura of both softness and vibrancy sets pastels apart as a captivating and evocative painting medium. Several well-known artists have embraced pastels as a medium and have created exceptional artworks that showcase the versatility and beauty of this medium. Some of the more well established artists having known to use pastels as medium include Edgar Degas, Mary Casatt, Odilon Redon, Pierre Auguste Renior and Wolf Kahn. These artists, among others, have contributed significantly to the recognition and appreciation of pastels as a sophisticated and captivating painting medium. Their works demonstrate the wide range of styles and subjects that can be achieved through the skillful use of pastels. Pastels- Dandelions- Jean Francois Millet Mixed Media Mixed media painting is a versatile and creative technique that involves combining various art materials and mediums to create a unified artwork. This approach allows artists to experiment with textures, colors, and techniques that might not be achievable using just one medium. Artists use a combination of paints, ink, chalk, pastels on different mediums like metal, canvas, ceramics and many more. The combined medium has a very individualistic feel, as it gives an artiste the opportunity to experiment in a number of ways. Mixed Media- Radha Krishna- Revankar Art Digital Drawings/Paintings Among the current tech savvy millennial population, the young artistes have started producing phenomenal art using devices and different software. The most common software used are Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign. Through these digital media one can create very detailed and neat illustrations. Secondly, to make sure that a very personal touch is maintained for the artistes there are digital pads like Wacom, on which an artiste can draw using a digital pen and the image appears on the computer screen. At present, this is the most preferred style of drawing and painting used by commercial houses like book publishers or logo designers etc. Digital Drawing- Game of Thrones- Tommy Patterson To sum up, Painting Styles and Traditions have long antecedents in our history and they have been evolving with time. One needs to understand the world these techniques emerged in, to fully fathom the symbolic meanings behind them. Discover more painting styles on RtistiQ, an Online Art Gallery for the Art loving community and creators alike.

RtistiQ

10 Dec 2021

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The love and appreciation for Art has been an intrinsic part of the Human Cultural and Cognitive Evolution. The interest and experience of the human mind in Art has grown exponentially since the Pre-Historic Period. One can say that with the development and growth of Cranial Capacity in the humans along with many other social, cultural, political and economic developments, the importance of Art and Aesthetics have evolved, leading to a number of professional disciplines, like Fine Arts, Art Management, Curators, Critiques, Art Historians and so forth. A lot of precedence is given on analyses and interpretation of art to get a holistic picture of the contemporary societies, many of which cease to exist now and only their art works exist. These above mentioned developments led to an increase of population that was inclined towards understanding and appreciating various forms of Art, from recreational perspective to professional business perspectives. Art and Aesthetics have become such an important part of Cultural Studies and Heritage that various bodies run by the Governments of all countries and states and by the Private Entrepreneurs have started investing stakes to conserve and preserve the Artistic Assemblages of their regions. Over the past decade this practice has increased rapidly due to the commercial and monetary benefits and cases of protecting native traditions in the ever-increasing globalized world. Keeping all these things in mind, here is a small list of Must Visit Destinations Around the World for Art Lovers. Although a word of caution that this article only scratches the surface of the Art World, one lifetime wouldn’t be enough to imbibe and appreciate all the Artistic Marvels of our World. Let us begin with one of the earliest evidences of Art in the world, in the form of Pre-Historic Rock Art. These Cave Shelters can be found in the South of France known as the Chauvet Caves. Based on the archaeological and scientific evidence from the Caves, these paintings are dated to roughly around 32,000 years old. These paintings tell us about the Hunting and Ritualistic activities of the Paleolithic dwellers of these caves. Next fairly ancient site that is a must for art lovers to visit is in Maharashtra, India. There are a group of Buddhist Caves near the village of Ajanta in Aurangabad District of Maharashtra, and due to their proximity to the village they are known as Ajanta Caves. These are group of Buddhist Caves of which the earliest has been dated to around 2nd Century BCE belonging to the Satvahana Dynasty and the latest dating to around 6th Century CE belonging to Gupta-Vakataka Period. A visitor will be enchanted by the perfect blend of interaction between the Nature and its Human inhabitants. Here there are numerous sculptures belonging to the Buddhist Iconography and breathtaking paintings giving us a glimpse of the Ancient Indians. This article would be incomplete without mentioning the splendid city of Istanbul, in Turkey. This city has seen many glorious days under different Empires, like the, Hellenistic Empire, the Bronze Ages, the Byzantine Empire and lastly the Ottoman Empire. The entire city is shrouded with monuments and museums with the robust collections one’s eyes scan fathom. Right from the Sultan Ahmet to the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia to splendid museums like the Top-Kapi Palace, this city is a gold mine for Art lovers. Another must visit destination for Art lovers is Rome, in Italy. The entire city is filled to the brim with history and monuments and churches to devour. There is a lot to see and experience in the city but the must visit sites are Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica (The Vatican City), the Colosseum, Cuatro Fontana Di Trevi and the Pantheon. There are a lot of majestic places to visit in the Latin Americas as well. One of them which deserves a special mention is the capital of Columbia, Bogota. This city is a true treat for the Art lovers, there is so much one can do here, most spectacular places are, Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, the Botero Museum and lastly a Street Art Tour of the City. The final two destinations that deserve mentions are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York and the Louvre, in Paris and recently opened in Abu Dhabi. Both of these museums are very unique in different ways and they are the torch bearers of Art Education in the world. These museums have magnificent art collects from different periods and regions of the world, like the most well-known, Mona Lisa, by Leonardo Da Vinci at Louvre. Along with art collections and exhibitions these museums also carry out extensive research and publications on Art of the World along with educating the future generations on Art Management and Curatorship, Art Conservation and Art History. And to see more works of art from around the world that is authentic check out our website RtistiQ as we bring to you both digital and physical art backed by NFT.

RtistiQ

03 Dec 2021

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The word “landscape” comes from the Dutch word "Landschap", which means the patch of the ground describing any painting drawing or any other technique used or whose main subject is to draw the scenery containing mountains, forests, rivers, or seascape. Landscape painting in layman language is the depiction of Natural Scenery. Timeline of the landscape painting The tradition of landscape painting can be traced back to traditional Chinese painting during the 6th century, identified as Shan Shui, and is still popular to this day. In the Western tradition landscape painting as a genre developed from the Renaissance movement. Giovanni Bellini’s expressive landscapes are as much the main character of s paintings as are the religious subjects that influenced 15th-century Italian art. Created for sophisticated patrons, Bellini’s works present characters and symbols from familiar sacred stories. With the work of Giorgione, who was one of Bellini's students, the Venetian High Renaissance truly began. Although he died very young, Giorgione's influence was extensive and impactful. He introduced new subjects such as mythological scenes and pastorals with elusive meaning. To a revolutionary stretch, the mood is the primary "subject" of his works. He used light and shadow and a soft atmosphere to merge landscape and figures. For Giorgione, more than any artist before him, the landscape became an end in itself. The Feast of the Gods by Giovanni Bellini 1514 - 1516, High Renaissance, oil, canvas National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, US The upliftment of landscape painting began following the Renaissance era, in the 16th century, with artists drawing landscapes that included pictures purely as a setting for human activity. The genre reached new heights at this point due to the Dutch and Flemish schools' artistic innovation with artists like Pieter Bruegel, Joachim Patenir, Albrecht Durer. Artists like Pieter Bruegel, who was one of the most famous painters of the Flemish school, was known for his detailed landscapes depicting peasant life. His artworks have inspired many, including the renowned painter Peter Rubens and many Flemish painters in the following century. One of his famous works, Landscape with the Fall of Icarus (1558) depicts a religious or mythological story. Bruegel depicts the boisterous activities of a country fair and a folk play, respectively, paying particularly close attention to the worn costumes and broad, emphatic gestures of the celebrants . He had attentive attentive observation of the village sittings, far from re-creating everyday life. The powerful compositions, brilliantly organized and controlled, reflect a sophisticated artistic design. His use of landscape defies simple interpretation. The painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus is a true masterpiece, urrounded by mystery, and numerous questions which remain unresolved, particularly regarding its attribution. The painting, therefore, continues to exert a lasting fascination. Landscape with the Fall of Icarus (1558) The term “classical” appeared in the seventeenth century. Classicism is the term used to define the arts and culture of the ancient civilizations of Greece and the Roman Empire. A source of inspiration that has been popular since the Renaissance era until the 19th and 20th centuries. Nicolas Poussin is one of the most well-known classically-inspired artists. He is considered an important representative of the French Baroque. In his famous painting, Landscape with a Calm, he tried to capture in his composition every single detail to impact the viewers. Poussin’s landscape is usually created with a graceful background for a group of figures but later landscapes played an important role in developing a unique style, as it focuses on figures, creating stories that were taken from the bible, mythology, and literature. Nicolas Poussin, Landscape with a Calm, 1650–1651, Getty Center (Wikipedia) Claude Lorrain is a french artist who is known for one of the greatest ideal landscape paintings. His inspiration is the countryside around Rome. Working outdoors from detailed observation, and blending classical Idealism with naturalistic detail he produced work that could rival the beauty of nature itself. The Mill, Claude Lorrain, Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, MA, US, Public domain Throughout Europe, Poussin and Claude Lorrain established landscape as an honourable genre but it never matched its importance. Due to slow recognition, it was not considered a match for other genres, such as history painting or portraiture. In 18th century Europe, the Rococo style became widespread in painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and interior design. It was influenced by the Venetian School's use of color, Arcadian landscapes, erotic subjects, and intense use of dramatic scenes which enhanced more playfulness in their works. Jean-Antoine Watteau was the innovative artist who extended the Rococo period beyond decorative arts onto the canvas. Watteau's unique and creative compositions’ style was based on the combination of asymmetrical design and brightly colored landscapes which were painted idyllic and with happy scenes. Most of his art focuses on the cheerfulness of people dancing around and enjoying themselves in a beautiful setting. All this imagery gave birth to a new genre called fêtes galantes, which were scenes of courtship parties. The Embarkation for Cythera, 1717, Louvre. Romanticism was the defining style in art and literature of the late 18th and 19th centuries. A movement that draws attention to imagination and emotions. Romanticism is a rejection of the rule of balance, idealization, calm, harmony, and rationality that characterized Classicism in general and particularly Neoclassicism in the late 18th-century. One of the main artists of the Romantic movement was the painter Caspar David Friedrich who changed the face of landscape paintings with his intense and emotional focus on nature and became a key member of the Romantic Movement. Two Men Contemplating the Moon c.1819 by Caspar David Friedrich Friedrich elaborated his style and developed his techniques while painting Two Men Contemplating the Moon. The symbolism is one of the strongest points of his painting, which Friedrich implemented with interesting lighting effects and color use. In the 19th century, a rebel art movement brought a major change in Western art. The Impressionist movement marked the beginning of the modern era in art. The best way for the artists to get recognition was to exhibit their work at the annual Salon des Beaux-Arts or "Salon de Paris", which was organized by the Fine Arts Academy. Being showcased during this event could make or break a career. The artists were eager to get the public’s appreciation and to gain favorable reviews. Being at first rejected by the establishment, a small group of Impressionist artists held an exhibition with their latest works. Approaching painting in a similar way, the group came together with open compositions depicting the study of light with its changing qualities. Their innovation was the departure from studio practice, replaced by painting outdoors. The freshness and the immediacy in Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Paul Cezanne’s work astounded the public. The art critic Louis Leroy coined the name Impressionism referring to Monet's painting Impression: Sunrise. He gave rise to the sarcastic comment: "an exhibition of impressionists". Claude Moner, Impression, Sunrise, Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris (Wikipedia) In today's time, Impressionist paintings are remarkably the most popular and loved by the public from a modern art museum collection. The modern lifestyle and the way people spent time in Parisian cafés, bars, and theatres were the popular subjects for Monet, Renoir, and Degas in late 19th-century Paris. Soon after the group’s exhibition, the public accepted the term "Impressionism". The Impressionists were interested in representing the form as the naked eye sees it and in capturing the natural effect of light. Some younger artists who were in favor of Impressionists started imitating them. They exhibited together around eight times between 1874 and 1886. Paul Cézanne, The Bathers, 1906 | © Museum of Art, Philadelphia/WikiCommons Later, in the 1880s, Post-Impressionist artists became concerned with the three-dimensional nature of space, objects, and their representation on canvas. Qualities of line, pattern, color, and symbolic subject matter were the main concepts for this artistic movement. The impressionists were the true masters of painting. The task was to paint from “Nature”, to make use of the discoveries of the impressionist’s masters, and yet to capture the sense of order and necessity that distinguished the art of Poussin. The impressionists had given up mixing the pigment on the palate and had applied them separately onto the canvas in small dabs and dashes to render the flickering reflections of an “open dash air” scene. The techniques of the Impressionists focused more on style rather than the subject matter. They aimed to hold on to the contemporary art world, artists with distinct styles in art practices—including Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, and Henri Rousseau. Vincent van Gogh, Cypresses, 1889. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York(Wikipedia) Like the Impressionists, the Post-Impressionists showed their artwork to the public through exhibitions across Paris. In 1910 the art critic, curator, and historian Roger Fry coined the term "Post-Impressionism" with the show, Manet and the Post-Impressionists. Fry believed that the beauty of art is inherently rooted in perception: "Art is an expression and stimulus to the imaginative life rather than a copy of actual life". In An Essay in Aesthetics Fry explains: "Art appreciates emotion in and for itself. The artist is constantly observant of his surroundings and the least affected by their intrinsic aesthetic value. As he contemplates a particular field of vision, the aesthetically chaotic and accidental conjunction of forms and colors begin to crystallize into a harmony." These theories help us understand the commonality of these artists. The style of landscape painting flourished around the turn of the 20th century in France. Fauvism and Expressionism were introduced with harsh colors and flat surfaces (Fauvism) and emotionally disturbing forms. As the artist in fauvism painted a strong expressive reaction to the subjects spontaneously, expressing with bold brushstrokes and impressive colors. The colors did not have to be true to nature, necessarily. They could be changed to show emotions. Two influential artists of that time were Henri Matisse and Paul Signac. Expressionism came "from within," which is a reflection of the artist's feelings rather than a portrayal of a scene. The Scream, 1893 by Edvard Munch Lastly, Contemporary art refers to art that is produced in today’s time which can be named- painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance, and video art. And when we talk about the landscape in modern and contemporary art wouldn’t be complete without mentioning David Hockney’s art. David Hockney has gained more popularity than any other British artist of this century. Hockney was one of the first artists to use acrylic paint extensively, which was at that time a relatively new artistic medium. He used acrylic paints to depict the hot, dry landscapes of California. He used to work in a vertical plan by stapling the canvas to his studio wall. He said in his autobiography, "I love the idea first of all of the painting like Leonardo, all his studies of water, swirling things. And I loved the idea of painting this thing that lasts for two seconds: it takes me two weeks to paint this event that lasts for two seconds." Hockney’s artistic career is mostly connected with the Pop art movement. Recently, he has been widely experimenting with various methodologies for reinventing the landscape genre, including watercolors, photo collages. David Hockney in his recent exhibit “ The Arrival of Spring, Normandy 2020” show at the Royal Academy of Arts 23. He travelled to france with the intension to capture the spring in the rural landscape of normandy. He wanted to observe the richness of the spring to capture the change in the plant and the light. He stared to work in the beginning of the coronavious pandemic when much of the world wenr into the state of lockdown where he focus on the emerging of the spring as a celebration of the joy of natural world. David Hockney painting 'Winter Timber' in Bridlington, July 2009 © David Hockney. Photo credit: Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima David Hockney, Felled Tress on Woldgate, 2008 © David Hockney In today’s time, we can see the development of the landscape genre. Landscape as an art genre is forever since it offers so many options for contemporary artists to experiment with new media and to reflect on human nature and our troubled relation with Mother Nature. Discover the works of our artists in our collection. This collection is perfect for art lovers who are looking for landscape paintings for their homes/offices.

RtistiQ

25 Nov 2021

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Over the past few months, non-fungible tokens, or the NFTs, have burst into the mainstream, expanding and challenging our collective understanding of ownership. But what are they? In this article, we provide a brief introduction to NFTs, a roundup of 2021 and why we believe they are paving the way for strong growth in years to come. WHAT IS AN NFT? WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR? HOW DO THEY WORK? Non-fungible, meaning they cannot be exchanged and hold a unique representation. The term ‘Token’ refers to unit of value that is stored on a secure distributed ledger called a blockchain. Essentially, an NFT is a digital asset that is a publicly verifiable intellectual property authenticated on a blockchain, mainly on Ethereum, which further can record all the transactions (namely the provenance) on the ledger in a tamper-proof manner. The asset can be physical & tangible or digital & intangible and can record the ownership of art, image, video, video game skin, trademark, cryptokitty and much more. HOW TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF AN NFT? The value of an NFT is what the market says it is—which means what someone is willing to pay to own the NFT vs. its copy. Several factors gauge the NFTs' worth such as rarity, utility and tangibility. The value of an NFT also differs for short- or long-term holding, depending on the asset the NFT represents. Before investing on NFT’s it is often a good practice to research more about the creator, rarity and the long term view, similar to any asset investment. NFTs ARE JUST GETTING STARTED Though the NFTs have been around since 2014, they have roared in popularity only in 2021. They are still in the very first stages just like the iPhone was in its first year. The simple iPhone applications of that time have now moved to the Ubers of the world, the scanner, a portal to the new world experience of augmented reality, earthquake early warning system, a healthcare partner in our pocket and more. The NFT minefield is likely to take a similar curve and be a formative business model catalyst not only in the crypto space but extending to all sorts of industries and niches. Their popularity took off in March this year when a British auction house - Christie’s sold an NFT of “Everydays—The First 5,000 Days”, a work of art by Mike Winkelmann for a whopping $69m. NFT art sales have hit $3.5B this year so far and the total sales volume surged to $10.7B as this asset frenzy hit a new high. SO NFT IS NOT ONLY FOR DIGITAL ART? That’s right. Many associate NFT with digital art, but this ecosystem is not only limited to that. They can actually be used to authenticate and auction any kind of collectible. There have been a growing number of marketplaces dedicated to assets that have emerged this year. A large number of celebrities, brands and sporting organizations are now fuelling awareness. Indian celebrities from the world of Bollywood and cricket are launching digital memorabilia through NFT, hoping to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars by cashing in on growing interest in such assets. Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachhan, Kamal Haasan, Salman Khan are testing waters. The CEO of Coinbase “Brian Armstrong'' stated that he believes that the new NFT marketplace could be bigger than its cryptocurrency business. An example of NFTs bringing more programmability to tangible assets is the luxury jewelry brand Asprey that recently announced that it would be utilizing NFTs tied to each of its jewelry pieces to solve the problem of liquidity and difficulty in confirming authenticity. Each of its jewelry will now come with an NFT. WHAT’S AHEAD We believe that 2022 will be a breakout year for NFTs. Millennials, and Gen Zs, have digital lives and it’s natural to want to take digital representations into their worlds. They are here to stay, dominate and slay. There is much more to come with their use in the metaverse and in the Ethereum Naming Service (ENS). So much of the world is yet to discover them. Disney, one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, has just begun it’s journey with NFTs this month. Athletes have barely discovered it. So many companies outside of crypto are only now beginning to realize that they have thousands of assets that can be traded as NFTs. It is almost a blank canvas that is ready to break out. How big can it get and what next? The speculation is that at the current pace it could be a 100 Billion market in 2022, that is next year! We are bullish on the possibilities it offers and its place in the future. Are you?

RtistiQ

19 Nov 2021

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The Government of India in the late 1970s named these nine iconic artists—Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Shergill, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Gaganendranath Tagore, Sailoz Mookherjea, and Nicholas Roerich as National Treasures. We take a closer look at these Navaratnas who shaped the history of Indian modernism. RAJA RAVI VARMA (1848–1906) Widely regarded as the “father of modern Indian Art”, Raja Ravi Varma is best-known for his exquisite paintings and prints depicting Indian subjects using European techniques. As one of the earliest proponents of lithography in India – the art of producing a work on a flat stone or metal plate – he employed the technique to depict popular scenes and characters from Hindu epics and religious literature. Despite his close relationship with the royal family of Travancore, Ravi Varma was considered an artist of the people as his realistic portrayals and interpretations of religious and mythological figures captivated and fascinated the country. Raja Ravi Varma, Sita Bhumipravesh, 1880 Royal Gaekwad Collection, Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara, Gujarat ABANINDRANATH TAGORE (1871 – 1951) As the founder of the Bengal School of Art, Abanindranath Tagore sought to establish a distinctly Indian art that celebrated an indigenous cultural heritage rather than Western art and culture. A passionate exponent of Swadeshi values, Tagore staunchly rejected the teachings of Western academic art schools, finding inspiration in traditional Oriental art forms such as Mughal miniatures, the Ajanta murals, folk paintings, and Japanese printmaking. This was reflected in his graceful, elongated figures, gleaned from the Mughal style, depicted in a Japanese-inspired wash technique, which are sophisticated depictions of India’s unique spiritual and national identity. Abaninidranath Tagore, Queen Tissarakshita, ca. 1911 Royal Collection Trust, London, UK GAGANENDRANATH TAGORE (1867–1938) Gaganendranath Tagore, the older brother of Abanindranath Tagore, a self-trained watercolorist and cartoonist is considered one of the great pioneers of Indian art. Unlike his sibling, Gaganendranath embraced Western art movements including Cubism, Futurism, and German Expressionism at the turn of the century. Later in his career, Tagore turned to caricature. His playful cartoons of big-bellied politicians and bhadralok, meaning ‘gentleman’ in Bengali, are satirical observations of society at the beginning of the 20th century. Gaganendranath Tagore, Untitled, 1920 AMRITA SHER-GIL (1913–1941) Like Abanindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gil was greatly inspired by the frescoes of Ajanta as well as the Mughal school of painting. Born to a Hungarian mother and aristocratic Sikh father, Sher-Gil’s early years were spent training in Paris. Respected for her powerful self-portraits and bohemian lifestyle, Sher-Gil was described as the “Indian Frida Kahlo”. Despite her privileged upbringing, the artist’s paintings vividly depicted the daily lives of ordinary people. During her lifetime, Sher-Gil steadily gained recognition across Europe and she remains one of the greats of Indian art history. Amrita Sher-Gil, Self Portrait (7), 1930 National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi NANDALAL BOSE (1882–1996) Born into a middle-class Bengali family in the late 19th century, Nandalal Bose created some of the most iconic images in Indian history—including his depiction of Mahatma Gandhi walking with a staff, which became an iconic symbol for the non-violence movement, and his illustrations in the Constitution of India. As the principal at Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, Bose also had a significant influence on the next generation of artistic heavyweights like Benode Behari Mukherjee and K.G. Subramanyan, filmmaker Satyajit Ray and many others. Nandalal Bose, Annapurna, 1943 National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi JAMINI ROY (1887–1972) Another gem in the treasure trove of Indian artistic talent, Jamini Roy was born in Beliatore, West Bengal. Roy’s bold, sweeping brushstrokes and flat swathes of ochre, leafy green, vermillion, and blue show the heavy influence of traditional Bengali Kalighat painting – a 19th-century school of modern art that originated in Calcutta and was given its name due to the burgeoning settlement of patuas or cloth-painters around the temples of Kali at Kalighat in the city. Jamini Roy, Mother and Child, mid-1920s National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi RABINDRANATH TAGORE (1861–1941) The Nobel laureate poet, Rabindranath Tagore reshaped modern Bengali literature. In 1919, Tagore founded Kala Bhavan, which remains one of India’s finest art institutions. Unlike his nephews Abanindranath and Gaganendranath, Rabindranath turned to art towards the end of his life. Inspired by New Zealander scrimshaw carvings, German woodcuts, and sculptures from the Pacific Islands, the artist’s international outlook was reflected in unique artworks that appeared at the margins of his manuscripts alongside poetry and song lyrics. Rabindranath Tagore, Dancing Woman, 1928/1940 National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi NICHOLAS ROERICH (1874–1947) Nicolas Roerich remains the only artist not from India who was named a national treasure. The Russian artist developed a deep and spiritual connection with the country and came to be celebrated for his luminescent scenes of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks rendered in icy blues and vivid purples. As a passionate activist for the defense of cultural objects, Roerich’s visions are not only picturesque but reveal a profound relationship with the landscape. Nicholas Roerich, Krishna (Spring in Kulu), 1930 Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York, USA SAILOZ MOOKHERJEA (1906–1960) Attributed by art critic Richard Bartholomew as India’s “most significant painter…after Amrita Sher-Gil”, Sailoz Mookherjea received little recognition during his lifetime. Nonetheless, the artist’s impact on Indian modernism is monumental and he remains celebrated for his innovative scratching of the paint to create tactile and vigorous markings. Sailoz Mukherjea, Untitled (Two Sisters), 1959

RtistiQ

12 Nov 2021

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Oil paintings have existed for centuries, from the cave paintings of Bamiyan along the Silk Road to American post-war art. There have been several studies related to the origins of oil as a painting medium with some believing that the technique was first developed in the 11th century, while Giorgio Vasari has credited 15th century Flemish painter Jan van Eyck with the “invention” of oil paints in his famous treatise The Lives of the Artists. However, a discovery in 2008 led to the evidence that oil painting existed as early as 650 CE (7th century CE), when anonymous artists used oil that may have been extracted from walnuts or poppies to decorate the caves in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. The practice of easel painting with oil colours started post-1400 CE, to meet the changing requirements of Renaissance artists who were looking for some other medium than pure egg-yolk tempera. The depth and richness of colour in oil paint is unmatched and it’s slow drying time allows artists to manipulate the medium over an extended period giving the artists the flexibility in blending and layering - thin glazes to dense thick impasto, as well as a wide range of tonal transitions and shades producing both opaque and transparent effects, as well as matt and gloss finishes. Considered a hallmark of the Old Masters, particularly during the Northern Renaissance, oil paint was one of the most preferred mediums for Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and iconic modernists like Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky and many others. Although there are several remarkable oil paintings by famous artists to study this medium, we have narrowed down the exhaustive list to 10 iconic works. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait (1434) remains one of the most visually intriguing paintings of all time. With all of its details and intricacies, the exquisitely rendered work appears to be a straightforward depiction of a wealthy merchant and his wife. However, on a closer look several mysteries emerge along with Van Eyck’s masterful technique which continue to enthrall viewers till today! (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa (c. 1503-1519), the painting of a mysterious woman with an enigmatic smile, remains one of the most famous paintings in the world. The sitter is believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florence merchant Francesco del Giocondo. The painting is known to be the earliest Italian portrait to focus so closely on the sitter in a half-length portrait. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) The Rape of Europa by Titian The Rape of Europa (c. 1559-1562), tells the mythological story of the abduction of Europa by the king of gods, Jupiter, disguised as a white bull. An example of Titian’s late style, the painting’s refined poignancy lies in his use of colour, vividity, luminous tints, brushwork and subtlety of tone. The oil painting continues to have a profound influence on Western art. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer Sometimes nicknamed the “Mona Lisa of the North”, Girl With a Pearl Earring (1665), is brilliant in its simplicity. The girl, wearing a blue and gold turban and an oversized pearl earring is the entire focus with only a dark backdrop behind her. Interestingly, this masterpiece isn't even a portrait, but a “tronie” - a Dutch word for a painting of an imaginary figure with exaggerated features. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (or The Luncheon on the Grass) by Édouard Manet Manet's masterpiece, Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (1863), featuring a nude woman picnicking in the company of fully-clothed men, draws inspiration from classical paintings of female nudes. Up until The Luncheon on the Grass, female nudes were represented figures from mythology or allegory. By placing an anonymous unclothed woman in a contemporary everyday setting, Manet bridged the gap between the Realist and Impressionist art movements with its modern approach to style and subject matter. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh Few artists are as renowned for their use of color as Vincent van Gogh. His The Starry Night (1889) full of striking blues and yellows, and the dreamy, swirling atmosphere have intrigued art lovers for decades. The painting was created late into the Dutch painter's short career and depicts the view from his window in the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. (Image courtesy: Van Gogh Gallery) The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso Painted at the height of Picasso’s Blue Period, The Old Guitarist (1903) depicts a feeble blind old man hugging his guitar. Picasso painted it after his close friend and Spanish poet Carles Casagemas commited suicide. The melancholic state was used by design to haunt onlookers in a way that would make them question why the working class and high-class individuals continued to prosper while those that needed the most help continued to languish in poverty. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali Salvador Dali’s most iconic work, The Persistence of Memory (1931) was painted at the height of the Surrealist art movement. It displays an outlandish subject matter evocative of a dreamscape, which is why it is believed that Dalí was probably hallucinating when he painted the piece. Dalí would attempt to enter a state of self-induced psychotic hallucinations to create what he called “hand-painted dream photographs.” (Image courtesy: Museum of Modern Art, New York) The Kiss by Gustav Klimt Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt was famous for his dazzling use of gold to give a shimmering effect to his paintings and his masterpiece The Kiss (1907-1908) is no different. Made in the Vienna Secession art movement, this intimate portrait captures a tender moment between a pair of lovers. (Image courtesy: Google Art Project) Nighthawks by Edward Hopper The highly evocative American masterpiece Nighthawks (1942) is a stark depiction of loneliness, alienation and the breakdown of city life, epitomizing somber emotions of a period in history riddled with world wars and the great depression. The oil painting is said to have influenced the look and feel of many Hollywood films including Ridley Scott’s futuristic neo-noir Blade Runner (1982). (Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) Oil paintings are one of the best investments you can make for your home or business. Discover oil paintings for sale on RtistiQ, A Virtual Art Marketplace For Art Lovers And Artists.

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02 Nov 2021

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With October arriving, we are all getting into the Halloween spirit. And fine art painting has some of the spookiest and most horrifying images to bring you all the terror you could imagine. Artists have often contemplated the darker side of existence, with their efforts rendering up some ghoulish results. Below, we’ll look through seven of the most scary artworks. These are horror paintings that scare and repulse. Don’t say you weren’t warned. Garden of Earthly Delights (c.1500 to 1505) by Hieronymus Bosch Bosch brings horror in his own special way — through surreal and religious imagery. That ability to make the bizarre and beautiful twisted into the scary has made him a major influence up to our present day. In this triptych, by far his most famous work now, the far right panel depicts terrible tortures and debauchery, a vision that you won’t be able to shake off for quite some time. That it all develops out of the tranquility and purity of the far left panel gives this a narrative thrust that makes it all the scarier. Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion (1944) by Francis Bacon You could pick just about any Francis Bacon painting and it would fit on this list. But here, we go with a triptych beloved for its monsters. The work ushered in the artist’s mature period, and represents the full power of Bacon. While created to be used, as the title suggests, at the base of a crucifixion, the monsters are based off of the Furies. This remains a masterpiece of horror, yet the final work of a crucifix with these at the base never came to be. But Bacon painted plenty more scary scenes. The Nightmare (1781) by Henry Fuseli Fuseli made all of our nightmares come true with this Romantic classic. While the painting was controversial at the time for its sexual tones, later critics would admire the profound understanding of human psychology and terror. The face of the incubus really is the stuff of nightmares, and the horse hiding just out of the light will keep you from sleeping. It’s a painting that actually lives up to the broad and massive topic that is its namesake. For this reason, it deserves its place on any list of scary artworks. Saturn Devouring His Son (c. 1891-1823) by Francisco Goya Goya dived into the world of Greek myth to create this magnificently brutal painting. The gore of the half-eaten body and the look of crazed madness in the eyes of Saturn, not to mention the black background (something Goya was doing a lot of at the time), all work together to create chills in any viewer. While many artists have painted this scene from mythology, no one has captured the absolute horror of it — though Peter Paul Rubens got pretty close. The Face of War (1940) by Salvador Da Dalí painted this artwork to refer, in general, to war and the horrors it causes. But the artist wondered often if it actually was a premonition — he painted it in the interim between the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. Set in a typical Dalí-style desert, the face of anguish has yet more faces of anguish for its eyes and mouth. And in those smaller faces are still smaller faces. It implies that the process of pain and suffering caused by war goes on forever. A truly terrifying thought. Dante and Virgil (1850) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau Bouguereau’s painting comes from the Divine Comedy by Dante. Here, Dante and Virgil are travelling through hell, and they come upon two of the damned trapped in combat. Gianni Schicchi, a fraud in life, bites into the throat of heretical alchemist Capocchio. The exquisite color, chiaroscuro lighting, and palpable mayhem make this a true horror painting masterpiece. The Great Red Dragon and the Beast from the Sea (1805) by William Blake This work appears in a series of Blake’s paintings covering the Great Red Dragon. All of these watercolors were meant to be used as Biblical illustrations, with Blake taking his subject matter from the Book of Revelation. Blake’s visionary style and ability to confront the darkness make all of the works in this series captivating as well as horrifying. Collect the latest Halloween collection handpicked by our curators while it is available. Art 1: Vivarium II, Oil on Linen, Adrian Narvaez Caicedo Art 2: Verona II, Oil on canvas, Luciana Livi

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29 Oct 2021

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Claire Denarie depicts quiet moments: serene portraits; a tranquil woodland path; a woman lounging on a chair. From Pink Elephants to Charlie Chaplin’s and Coco Chanels. However, the colors are more intense than in reality, while the compositions are so tightly framed that they become dynamic, and the portrait subjects never reveal all to the viewer. Soffietti’s figures have secrets and hint at an interior world within the picture frame. It is her wonderfully palpable painting style and bold color choice that makes the 2D picture world seem more real than our very own. Get up close and personal with Claire Danerie. Tell us a little bit about your background and why you chose to be an artist? I didn’t choose to be an artist, I always painted as a need. Rationally, I studied law to give myself a chance in the world. Too many starving artists around to even entertain the thought of becoming one... yet, insidiously, painting crawled back into my life uncontrollably. I paint because I was put on earth to create, I think, and my four children are the living testimony of my craving for creativity. I waffle with my hands all day long, hiding and secretly hoping someone will get my message in a bottle. Your artworks always give the viewers a feeling of stories unfolding right in front of their eyes. How important is sharing an experience or memory in your creative process? Of course, paintings are part of a story. They have a beginning and an end and they initiate and finish beyond the canvas. They are the reflection of a thought, a deed, the memory of an event which took place in a far, far away land, buried deep inside. Again, I create hoping someone will understand the meaning of the vision but ultimately, it makes little difference as the process is unconditional; I shall paint whether viewers like it or not because it is beyond me. Of course, I crave recognition and I need acknowledgement (nobody likes talking to themselves) but I don't really need validation. I paint in the hope I will give someone joy but I also understand that my work doesn't have to speak to everybody and it's okay. The communion is instant and everlasting. The world has just become a better place. My culture also naturally greatly impacts the way I paint. I'm inevitably a product of my upbringing. I am fundamentally an impressionist at heart. What lingers and stays like a good wine long after the sip, is what I'm after. The message is delivered to the senses, the heart and soul are vibrating in communion. Tell us about the textures in your paintings. Le Chant De La Cigale, 2020, Acrylic on canvas Growing Love, 2021, Acrylic on canvas No matter the subject, I build a landscape, a "skin" with an average of 9 coats. Zoom in on any of my paintings and you'll understand. All my works have veins or scars running between the canvas and their subjects . What you call texture is for me a living organism which is paramount to the finished entity. Texture gives life. This is where I spend a great deal of time: the life support of the painting. For a skin to be strong and healthy, I need the natural fiber (100% Cotton Duck or linen stretched preferably on a large canvas). Then, the elasticity is given by the oil or the Acrylics. The alchemy is provided with the addition of ingredients such as oil pastels, dry chalks, ink or any medium that seems appropriate at the time. I have no shame, nor pride and I never feel the urge to justify the purity of my sources. Who are your biggest influencers? The French impressionists are a significant influence due to my childhood. Colours are everything to me (after texture). Colours give me goosebumps, they make my heart sing and trigger all my senses. A sad day becomes joyful just at the thought of colours. My pulse goes through the roof at the simple glance of a Gaugin. Lautrec is strength. Vlaminck, contrasts, Matisse, simplicity. Derain, joy. Picasso, the absence of boundaries, Van Gogh all the above reunited, plus vulnerability. I am also very much a fauvist at heart because of their use of colours. This fabulous movement survived from 1904 to 1908 before it got engulfed by new fashionable trends. The fauvists linked directly colours to impressions and they remain formidable in my book. How has your practice changed over time? Form used to matter, I wanted people to laugh out of an excess of despair and my subjects were grotesque. I was trying to depict human nature and that's all that mattered. With time, I became more demanding (with myself), less tolerant too. The mission became: progress, be better, search for honesty, don't settle, you can do better. My subjects changed, they became less amusing but more profound. The metamorphosis slowly took place and the real journey began. I was a painter for the long run. How do you set yourself apart from other artists within your space? Simple. I don’t compare. Everyone has been placed on this earth to create and do what they need to do. I rave and recognise how incredible artists around me are. I am also very much aware that it is the alchemy of all these qualities together that make an artist and we all have our forte. Personally, I only hope that no one paints like me, for better or for worse. Sartre once said, "I am the king of the perception of my world."

RtistiQ

27 Oct 2021

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The still life painting has remained one of the most popular exercises for artists. It can be extremely helpful in developing young talent, as well as keeping old masters sharp. But despite its use as a tool for teaching and practice, some have created still lifes that have gone on to take their place in the pantheon of great paintings. The genre formed in the late 16th century, drawing on practices in ancient Greece and the Middle Ages. The basic formula is for the artist to arrange inanimate objects and paint from direct observation. It is so basic, so fundamental, and yet it remains a popular genre. Once we begin to look through some of the best known still lifes in art history, we can begin to see why. With multiple types of still lifes that exist today, this genre gives us new insight into the textures and colors that fill our everyday lives. It is, in some ways, a celebration of human vision and a call to engage with your surroundings more fully. Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers (1888) by Vincent Van Gogh Vincent Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings are some of the most beloved of his entire oeuvre. Made up of two distinct series of paintings (the first painted in Paris and the second in Arles), this work from the second series is perhaps the most popular of all. The burning yellow is defined with judicious use of blue, and the bodies of the sunflowers seem alive. Van Gogh painted them for his friend Paul Gauguin. And the joy of that friendship can be felt in the canvas itself. Still Life with Fruit (1605-1610) by Caravaggio Caravaggio delivers us a sumptuous feast for the eyes. Made up of melons and an assortment of delicious fruit, these colorful bodies emerge from the dark in a small shaft of light — characteristic of the artist. While many commentators have speculated on the Renaissance-era symbolism of the fruit, we don’t really need to understand it to appreciate the painting. His ability to capture the fruit in such spectacular detail is more than enough. Violin and Candlestick (1910) by Georges Braque Braque is well known as one of the founders of Cubism, and here he applies that style to the still life. It’s an interesting combination: taking the latest breakthrough in visual arts and applying it to one of the most classic genres in painting. The objects in the still life are all given multiple points of view shown on the same surface, an impossibility for the naked eye but not the painter. Note his muted use of color as well. Vase of Flowers (1660) by Jan Davidsz. de Heem De Heem, a major name in both Dutch and Flemish Baroque painting, gives us one of the greatest depictions of flowers in all of art history. Here, the colors absolutely delight us as they come out of the dark background — note the similarity in lighting to his contemporary Caravaggio above. This painting shows what a true master can do with a still life. Note how all the fine details are expertly navigated, the wealth of visual information completely absorbed and rendered. Still Life with Skull (1898) by Paul Cezanne Cezanne is well known for his use of color, and he uses those trademark techniques to great effect in this still life. Painted late in his career, this shows a genius who has learned how to give us only what we need, no more and no less. There is no excess and no lack. The composition itself is striking. The skull is set off by ripe fruit, fruit we expect will all too soon begin to rot. This memento mori not only brings us in confrontation with our own mortality, it also reminds us that while we are here, there are things to be enjoyed, like a ripe pear. The Ray (1728) by Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin This work does what a still life rarely can — bring a sense of horror. Of course, it in part does this by cheating the rules a bit. Notice the cat at the left side of the painting! Rule bending aside, this is a great work by Chardin who excelled in still lifes for much of his career. The strange objects and the hissing animal come together to give us a sense that all is not right. While the still life genre makes it difficult to tell much of a story, Chardin gives us the emotion of a narrative all the same. What makes these still life paintings so special? There are a few things that make these still life paintings so special. First, they are all masterpieces of technique. The artists who created these paintings were masters of their craft, and their skill is evident in the way they rendered the objects in their paintings. Second, these paintings are all visually appealing. They are beautifully composed, and the colors and textures are rich and vibrant. Third, these paintings have something to say. They are not just about depicting objects; they are also about exploring themes such as beauty, life, death, and the nature of reality. Still life paintings are a wonderful way to experience the beauty and complexity of the world around us. If you have never taken the time to appreciate a still life painting, I encourage you to do so. You may be surprised at what you find. Still life Painting on RtistiQ Still life paintings are a beautiful and timeless art form that captures the beauty of everyday objects. The RtistiQ still life art collection features a wide range of still life paintings from artists all over the world, in a variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary. Whether you are looking for a new piece of art for your home or office, or you are simply interested in collecting some beautiful still life paintings, the RtistiQ still life art collection is a great place to start.

RtistiQ

21 Oct 2021

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Banksy’s artwork “Love is in the Bin” went under the hammer at Sotheby's in London on Thursday, selling for a whooping £16m (before buyer premium) - high above its £4-6m estimated price. The event, taking place during Frieze London, grabbed not only the art world’s attention but also the wider public was heavily captivated by this event. It was one of those rare art occasions making headlines around the globe. The artwork was put on auction only three years after being sold for £1m by the same auction house in 2018 and being reinvented into a new art piece. As Alex Branczik, chairman of modern and contemporary art at Sotheby’s Asia said: “It is almost three years to the day since one of the most ingenious moments of performance art this century made auction history. Banksy is no stranger to making headlines and this latest chapter in his story has captured imaginations across the world – we can only begin to guess what might come next.” As the auctioneer admitted, the big release came minutes after the hammer went down. Everyone was expecting for this artwork to put on a new show, perhaps the shredder to finish its job or, in an act à la David Copperfield, the canvas to vanish completely. None of those things happened. The sale was the show, a havely marketed event judging by the media coverage and public interest. The auction house even displayed their own flag half shredded outside their headquarter building in London. The Contemporary Art Evening Sale made all art lovers keep their breath for the 10 minutes long battle between the 9 eagger bidders. The price of £18.5m (including buyer's premium) paid by the Asian collector (according to The Art Newspaper) establishes a new record for the British artist. A sale that can only be described as a memorable evening not only for the 2018 buyer but also for the rest of us watching it. Cheers to the happy collector who proved to have a good eye for art investments or at least a lucky star. Banksy’s “Love is in the Bin'' doesn't make it to top 10 most expensive artworks ever sold on auction, topped by $450.3 m paided by a Middle Eastern collector for presumably Leonardo Davinci’s masterpiece Salvator Mundi (there are many disagreements among scholar) in 2017. It pales even in comparison with the highest transaction of the year, the NFT artwork by Beeple sold for $69.3 m at Christie’s. What makes the sale a “historical” event is the fact that its value has appreciated 18 times over the course of three years. According to the Art Basel and UBS annual report, the art market shrank by 22% in 2020, down from $64.4 billion in sales in 2019 to $50.1 billion last year. Nevertheless, with the in-person events resuming in most Western countries, a fresh breath of air is infused by new capital. In a global economy defined by high volatility and facing inflation, the Banksy sale indicates an increasing interest in art as an investment-class asset, competing with stocks, real estate, digital currencies and precious metals. Photo credits: Wikipedia The Story of a Girl with a Balloon Formerly known as “Girl with a Balloon” (allegedly created in 2016) now renamed “Love is in the Bin” (2018) became one of the most iconic artworks arguably of the begging of the 21st century after an unexpected but carefully planned intervention took place as the final hammer fell in the Contemporary Art Evening Auction at Sotheby’s in 2018. Just minutes after the proud collector, a mysterious German national, began sipping her victorious champagne, the alarm went off and the artwork went through the shredder concealed within the heavy frame. Under the horrified eyes of the audience, the stenciled canvas remained hanging half-way through. As with any other part of our contemporary, sometimes twisted, society, “any publicity is good publicity”. The event gained a lot of attention and debates on how it should be interpreted - Is this a painting? Is it an installation? Is it a performance? or is it 1m worth of trash. The anonymous buyer commented: “When the hammer came down last week and the work was shredded, I was at first shocked, but gradually I began to realise that I would end up with my own piece of art history”. Sotheby's representatives added "it’s the first artwork in history to have been created live during an auction." What was initially planned as a Banksy trademark anti-establishment statement, that would have Marcel Duchamp laugh out loud, ended as one of the most desired artworks among the rich and powerful collectors. Banksy, apparently surprised by the partial failure of his stunt, was the first to play the game and grant a certificate of authenticity through his authentication body, Pest Control, and gave it a new title “Love is in the Bin”. The artpiece has been on permanent loan to the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Museum in Germany since March 2019 until the recent resale. The artwork depicting a young girl reaching out for a heart-shaped balloon was initially stenciled on a wall in London’s West Bank in 2002. Due to its popularity it has been reproduced many times since. What makes this graffiti so eye-catching is the universality of its message and the simplicity of its visual language - the black and white silhouette of a child and the red heart-shaped balloon. It could be interpreted as a loss of innocence or the opposite, as a proof of hope. Both interpretations are valid, the duality evokes the viewer’s multiple views on hope. Who is Banksy? We simply don’t know. Despite his popularity, he managed to conceal his identity. From an outlaw kid spraying the walls of Bristol in the 90s, he has become one of the most followed contemporary artists. He is now part of the street-art hall of fame together with Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat. Banksy’s superstar status was first acknowledged by Time magazine in 2010. The graffiti artist, painter, sculpture, activist, filmmaker and provocateur made it to the world’s 100 most influential people list of that year, in the select company of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga. After experimenting with different graffiti styles which almost got him arrested, he realised that he had to reduce in half the time to complete his art. Interested in the political and social nature of street art, he soon understood that the simplicity of a stencil would be the perfect medium to spread his message. At around the same time he came up with the signature tag Banksy. His interventions popped up on walls in different cities around the world, from London to Los Angeles and Israel, where he painted a series of images on the West Bank’s concrete wall, part of the barrier built to keep away the suicide bombers. Through his characters, rats, apes, childrens, kissing police officers and hooligans throwing flowers, he is propagating a message of peace, freedom and hope but also a protest against excessive authority. Next, he took on the art institutions with his prankster performance art. There, he installed his own artworks side by side masterpieces. An image of the Mona Lisa plastered with a smiley-face sticker was placed in the Louvre and in New York he attached to a wall in the Metropolitan Museum of Art a small portrait of a woman wearing a gas mask. In 2010 he produced a movie giving some insights into the creation of street art and called it Exit Through The Gift Shop. It brought him an Oscar nomination in the Best Documentary category. Photo credits: Wikipedia His guerrilla art events constantly gather huge crowds and controversy. His LA show “Barely Legal”, from September 2006, had as the main exhibit a live elephant, the message: “There’s an elephant in the room...20 billion people live below the poverty line.” Banksy’s other major project, Dismaland, a “fun” park located in the British seaside resort Somerset and open to the public for five weeks in the summer of 2015 was a pop-up art exhibition in the form of an apocalyptic theme park. The Disney-like dystopian park was a group exhibition featuring 58 artists and intended as an anti-consumerism statement. Hiding behind his mysterious identity, and through humor and straight-forward social and political statements, Banksy managed to build a very powerful character. An artist who, despite his popularity, remains in control of his narratives. With the recent art market record, which will surely fire new debates, his place in the history of art of this century has been cemented. Check more graffiti and street inspired art in our curated collection. Art 1: Jumping Jill Flash, 2021, mixed media on canvas, DB de Waterman Art 2: Bump in the Road, 2021, acrylic and spray paint on canvas, Tim Fawcett References 1. Adam, G. Banksy world record as shredded work sells to Asian collector for £18.6m at Sotheby's, The Art Newspaper; 2. Badshah, N. Banksy sets auction record with £18.5m sale of shredded painting, The Guardian; 3. Ellsworth-Jones, W. The Story Behind Banksy, Smithsonian Magazine; 4. Harris, G. Banksy’s £1m self-destructing painting goes back to auction—and could sell for six times the price, The Art Newspaper; 5. Jobson, C. Welcome to Dismaland: A First Look at Banksy’s New Art Exhibition Housed Inside a Dystopian Theme Park, COLOSSAL; 6. Dr. McAndrew, C. Global Art MArket Report, Art Basel x UBS; 7. Solimano A. The Art Market at Times of Economic Turbulence and High Inequality, International Center for Globalization and Development; 8. Banksy's Love is in the Bin sells for record £16m, BBC. Author: Floarea Baenziger

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15 Oct 2021

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