Once upon a time, the Academy had special systematization of genres, especially in painting. History painting was the most appreciated theme, followed by portraits, landscape and still life. One of these genres was genre art. The easiest way of describing this genre is that it usually presents people doing something they usually do every day. Figurative and genre art can both picture people and animals in different life situations.
Figurative art is any form of art that has strong and recognizable references to the real world. The importance is given to perspective, volume, shape and structure. Artists use lines, shades, color and different materials to accentuate volume and perspective, or to achieve other effects. All techniques are accepted, as long as everything is based on the real world.
Generally speaking, figuratism is representational type of art. It covers everything that isn't abstract, and can be recognized as something that really exist in the real world. All art that was made before abstract art can be considered as figuratism. Considering this, it's easy to classify any artwork into these two basic categories. If you cannot tell what it is, it is probably abstract work.
This type of painting uses all types of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel or any other. The main subject is human figure, with or without clothes. Although all portraits are actually figuratism, different artists have different approach to the subject. Some of them are more focused on reality, while some rather describe moods and emotions.
There are no real limits to interpretation. Although this is a real figure based representation, using different styles, methods and materials results in countless variations. The main thing is that the main subject has to be recognizable at some point. Although expressionism is the best example for this category, other styles, for example cubism, belong to figurative paintings as well, as long as it is recognizable.
So, there are two poles of figurative art. On one side there is the photo realism, where everything has to be exactly as it really is. Other extreme is almost unrecognizable figuration, which is nearly abstract. Cubism is a very good example of this second extreme. Take for example Picasso's work. When it comes to his analysis of woman's face, it doesn't look exactly as a face, but you can tell that it is.
Contemporary figurative art is really rich and imaginative. There are several interesting authors that deserve to be mentioned here, for example, Johan Van Mullem, Jas Knight, Marlene Dumas and others. Of course, you shouldn't forget to check Jenny Saville and John Currin. They all have very different approaches to their art, but you will be surprised how interesting and by all means valuable these artworks are.
Although this type of art, especially painting, was mostly neglected during twentieth century, it became more popular during eighties. Twentieth century was mainly about avant-garde movements, yes, but skills and crafts are popular again. One of the shiniest examples of this re-born art is definitely John Currin. This artist believes that art cannot be improved, that it can only be developed into something that will reflect the world of today.
Figurative art is any form of art that has strong and recognizable references to the real world. The importance is given to perspective, volume, shape and structure. Artists use lines, shades, color and different materials to accentuate volume and perspective, or to achieve other effects. All techniques are accepted, as long as everything is based on the real world.
Generally speaking, figuratism is representational type of art. It covers everything that isn't abstract, and can be recognized as something that really exist in the real world. All art that was made before abstract art can be considered as figuratism. Considering this, it's easy to classify any artwork into these two basic categories. If you cannot tell what it is, it is probably abstract work.
This type of painting uses all types of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel or any other. The main subject is human figure, with or without clothes. Although all portraits are actually figuratism, different artists have different approach to the subject. Some of them are more focused on reality, while some rather describe moods and emotions.
There are no real limits to interpretation. Although this is a real figure based representation, using different styles, methods and materials results in countless variations. The main thing is that the main subject has to be recognizable at some point. Although expressionism is the best example for this category, other styles, for example cubism, belong to figurative paintings as well, as long as it is recognizable.
So, there are two poles of figurative art. On one side there is the photo realism, where everything has to be exactly as it really is. Other extreme is almost unrecognizable figuration, which is nearly abstract. Cubism is a very good example of this second extreme. Take for example Picasso's work. When it comes to his analysis of woman's face, it doesn't look exactly as a face, but you can tell that it is.
Contemporary figurative art is really rich and imaginative. There are several interesting authors that deserve to be mentioned here, for example, Johan Van Mullem, Jas Knight, Marlene Dumas and others. Of course, you shouldn't forget to check Jenny Saville and John Currin. They all have very different approaches to their art, but you will be surprised how interesting and by all means valuable these artworks are.
Although this type of art, especially painting, was mostly neglected during twentieth century, it became more popular during eighties. Twentieth century was mainly about avant-garde movements, yes, but skills and crafts are popular again. One of the shiniest examples of this re-born art is definitely John Currin. This artist believes that art cannot be improved, that it can only be developed into something that will reflect the world of today.
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