Category: 131

• 

Gustav Klimt was an Austrian painter, born in Baumgarten in 1862, who became the most representative figure of the pictorial modernism of his time. He attended the school of applied arts in his hometown and triumphed as an author of large decorative paintings in an academic style. In 1897, his interest in avant-garde art led him to found, with some friends, the famous group called the Viennese Secession, of which he was the first president and leading exponent.

His unique artistic style was emerged after taking inspiration from very different sources, such as Byzantine art, the oriental style, the Arts and Crafts movement, and of course, Art Nouveau. Undoubtedly his most famous piece is The Kiss, which today is exhibited at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna. Besides, Klimt not only left his mark on the artistic world with his wonderful paintings, but he also did so by influencing great artists, such as Egon Schiele.

• 

In his works, he used gold leaf, tempera and oil painting, and captured in his canvases characters that often show a “floating” appearance. He painted, above all, female figures, which are the best known and most valued of his production. In these work, he combined the realism of the portrait, with an extreme decoration of the backgrounds and dresses, in which yellow and golden tones and motifs inspired by butterfly wings or peacock tails predominate: this personally gives me the feeling of being in an unreal world, like a dream.

• 

I have always liked the use of gold leaf in art, which is one of the facts that makes me feel attracted to Klimt’s artwork. However, beyond that, I adore the pattern he creates, the stories he tells by painting characters in such particular poses, and all the little ornaments and details that he includes. His works seem quite expressive to me, when you see them you cannot be indifferent, they produce you some emotion, and I consider that this is the most important thing in any artistic creation.

• 

• 

References

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Klimt

https://historia-arte.com/artistas/gustav-klimt

https://www.todocuadros.com.co/pintores-famosos/klimt/

• 

Joaquin Sorolla, better known as the “master of light”, was born in Valencia, Spain in 1863. From an early age, he showed his passion for art. His high school’s director noticed his talent and suggested he enter the School of Craftsmen of Valencia. At the age of thirteen, Sorolla did so, and two years after that, he goes to the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de Valencia. When he finished his studies, the painter Ignazio Pinazo introduced him to Impressionism. At that moment, he gained interest in the treatment of light in painting. Because of this, when we look at his artwork, we can tell the light is playing a main role.

• 

One of his most famous works is Otra Margarita. Like many of his first paintings, it portrays a scene as a way to criticize or protest against many situations of the social reality of Spain during that time. For this piece, Sorolla was inspired by a real situation he witnessed, in which a woman with two policemen who were taking her to prison for having murdered her baby.

• 

As the Impressionists used to do, Sorolla also adopted the habit of painting outside a studio. Thus, he used to go to the Valencian beaches to paint, and that is how he achieved many of his most well-known pieces. These were the first Sorolla’s pieces I ever saw, and since then he became one of my favourite artists. Although I also think his other kind of paintings are very well achieved, there is something about the way he paints the sea that amuses me; it gives me the feeling that it is in real movement. Besides, I really admire the way he manages to also capture a specific hour of the day with the way he paints the light. An example of this could be “Sad Inheritance”.

• 

• 

References

Sánchez, M. (2020, September 30). Joaquín Sorolla: biografía, obras y exposiciones. Alejandra de Argos. https://www.alejandradeargos.com/index.php/es/completas/32-artistas/41818-joaquin-sorolla-biografia-obras-y-exposiciones

Gavalda, J. (2019, August 10). Joaquín Sorolla, el pintor de la luz del mediterráneo. Historia National Geographic. https://historia.nationalgeographic.com.es/a/joaquin-sorolla-pintor-luz-mediterraneo_14569/2#slide-1

Wikipedia (2021, October 11). Joaquín Sorolla. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaqu%C3%ADn_Sorolla

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

References

Wethey, H. E. (2021, April 3). El Greco. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/El-Greco

Sobrón, I. (2018, February 9). Explica las características de la pintura de El Greco a través de sus obras más representativas. Slideshare. https://es.slideshare.net/ignaciosobron/explica-las-caractersticasde-la-pintura-de-elgreco-a-travsde-sus-obras-ms-representativas

Lasso, S (2019, November 01). El Greco: Pintor del siglo XVI. About español. https://www.aboutespanol.com/el-greco-3954367

• 

Innovation, attention to detail, intense colors, and use of perspective are some of the characteristics that I find when observing the work of Jean Fouquet, a French painter, and miniaturist who lived from 1420 to 1481. The originality in his work is in part due to the various influences that the artist had, as he drew on different sources: from Flemish artists such as Jan Van Eyck to Renaissance masters such as Fra Angelico.

Much information about his life is unknown, however, we do know that he was commissioned a portrait of Pope Eugene IV, which indicates that Fouquet was a renowned artist, since this honor was not awarded to any foreign painter. In addition to this, he also portrayed the King of France, Charles VII, and two relatives of Pope Eugene IV. He was likewise recognized for the illustrations he made in the illuminated manuscripts, and the miniatures he made in the Book of Hours stand out.

Among his best-known works is the Melun Diptych, which I consider is an incredible piece since it achieved an ideal harmony between all the elements, a fascinating composition, precision in the figures, as well as a striking and balanced color palette.

• 

• 

• 

• 

References

E.H., Gombrich. (1995). The Story of Art  (16th edition). Phaidon.

Ruiza, M., Fernández, T. & Tamaro, E. (2004). Biografia de Jean Fouquet. https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/f/fouquet.htm

Wikipedia. (2021). Jean Fouquet. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Fouquet

Collins, N. (2018). Jean Fouquet: pintor francés, conocido por el díptico de Melun. https://es.gallerix.ru/pedia/old-masters–jean-fouquet/