Ian Talks Paintings A-Z

By Ian Eress

Unlock the mysteries of paintings with this guide to the key concepts and definitions. From famous artists to paintings and styles, this book provides a clear and accessible reference to the field of painting. Written for beginners, it is the perfect resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this rapidly evolving field. With clear explanations, this book is your go-to reference for all things painting.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian Eress
• Release date: Mar 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215539613

Ian Eress

Born in the seventies. Average height. Black hair. Sometimes shaves. Black eyes. Nearsighted. Urban. MSc. vim > Emacs. Mac.

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Table of Contents

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

INDEX

A

Abstract art: Abstract art is a style of painting that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by using shapes, colors, lines, and textures to create visual compositions that do not depict recognizable objects or scenes from the natural world. Instead, abstract artists use these elements to create a purely visual experience that is open to interpretation and subjective response.

Abstract art can be divided into several different movements and styles. This includes Cubism, Futurism, Suprematism, Constructivism, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism. Each of these styles developed in response to different artistic, cultural, and historical contexts and has its own unique approaches to abstraction.

Cubism, for example, developed in the early 20th century and was characterized by using geometric shapes and fragmented forms to depict objects in a new way. Futurism, which also emerged in the early 20th century, sought to capture the dynamic energy of modern life through a focus on movement and speed.

Abstract Expressionism, on the other hand, developed in the mid-20th century and emphasized the emotional and gestural aspects of abstraction. Artists working in this style sought to express their inner emotions through their use of color, texture, and form.

Minimalism, which emerged in the 1960s, was characterized by a reduction of form and a focus on simplicity and minimalism. Artists working in this style sought to strip away all non-essential elements and create a pure and direct visual experience.

Overall, abstract art has had a significant impact on the development of modern and contemporary art and continues to be an important and influential style of painting today.

Abstract expressionism: Abstract Expressionism is a post-World War II style of painting that emerged in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is characterized by its focus on spontaneous, gestural, and expressive mark-making, sometimes using large canvases and a wide range of painting techniques and materials.

At its core, Abstract Expressionism is an approach to painting that values the process of creation as much as the finished product. It is about exploring the potential of paint and the act of painting itself, rather than simply depicting recognizable images or objects.

There are two main subcategories of Abstract Expressionism: Action Painting and Color Field Painting.

Action Painting is characterized by its emphasis on the physical act of painting, with artists using large brushes or even their entire bodies to create sweeping, energetic marks on the canvas. The process of painting is seen as a way of expressing the inner emotions and psyche of the artist.

Color Field Painting, on the other hand, is characterized by its focus on large areas of flat color, sometimes with little or no visible brushwork. The emphasis here is on the relationship between color and space, with artists creating fields of color that seem to extend beyond the edges of the canvas.

Some of the most famous artists associated with Abstract Expressionism include Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and Franz Kline. These artists, among others, helped to establish Abstract Expressionism as one of the most significant and influential movements in the history of modern art.

Abstract grid art: Abstract grid art is a style of painting that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by using a grid or series of intersecting lines as a foundational structure for the composition. This style of painting is sometimes associated with the Minimalist movement, which emerged in the 1960s.

In abstract grid art, the grid serves as a formal structure that the artist can use to create a sense of order and organization within the painting. The grid can also be used to create visual tension and complexity, as the lines intersect and overlap to create a dynamic visual field.

Artists working in this style sometimes use simple geometric shapes, like squares or rectangles, to fill the spaces created by the grid. These shapes may be repeated or varied in size, color, or texture to create a sense of rhythm and movement within the composition.

Some of the most famous artists associated with abstract grid art include Agnes Martin, Sol LeWitt, and Ellsworth Kelly. These artists, among others, helped to establish the grid as a foundational element of abstract art, and their work continues to inspire artists working in this style today.

Overall, abstract grid art is a powerful and versatile style of painting that allows artists to explore the relationship between structure and improvisation, order and chaos, and simplicity and complexity.

Abstract Illusionism: Abstract Illusionism is a style of painting that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by its use of optical illusions and trompe l'oeil effects to create the illusion of three-dimensional space and depth on a two-dimensional surface. This style of painting is sometimes associated with the Op Art movement, which emerged in the same period.

In Abstract Illusionism, artists use a variety of techniques to create the illusion of depth and movement within the painting. These techniques may include using contrasting colors and tones, repetitive patterns, and geometric shapes that appear to recede or advance within the composition.

One of the key elements of Abstract Illusionism is using perceptual ambiguity, in which the viewer's perception of the painting shifts and changes depending on their position and proximity to the work. This creates a dynamic and engaging viewing experience, as the painting seems to shift and transform as the viewer moves around it.

Some of the most famous artists associated with Abstract Illusionism include Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely, and Richard Anuszkiewicz. These artists, among others, helped to establish the optical effects and illusions of Abstract Illusionism as a powerful and influential style of painting.

Overall, Abstract Illusionism is a highly engaging and dynamic style of painting that uses optical illusions and perceptual ambiguity to create the illusion of depth and movement on a two-dimensional surface. It continues to inspire and influence artists today in the creation of visually stunning and thought-provoking works of art.

Academic art: Academic art is a style of painting that was popular in the 19th century, particularly in Europe and the United States. It was characterized by its adherence to traditional artistic techniques, a focus on realistic and detailed depictions of the human form and historical or mythological themes, and an emphasis on beauty and harmony.

Academic art was sometimes associated with academic institutions, like art schools or academies, where artists were trained in a specific set of techniques and standards. These institutions emphasized the study of classical art, with a particular emphasis on the human form and historical subjects.

Artists working in the Academic style were expected to adhere to certain standards of craftsmanship and technical skill, with an emphasis on the accurate representation of anatomy, perspective, and composition. The style was also characterized by a preference for polished surfaces and careful attention to detail.

Some of the most famous artists associated with Academic art include Jean-Léon Gérôme, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. These artists, among others, helped to establish Academic art as one of the dominant styles of painting in the 19th century.

In spite of its popularity, Academic art was also criticized for being overly formulaic and lacking in originality. In the late 19th century, many artists began to rebel against the constraints of the Academic style, leading to the emergence of new artistic movements like Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.

Acrylic paint: Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, water-based paint that is widely used by artists today. It was first developed in the 1940s as an alternative to oil paint, known for its slow drying time and toxic fumes.

Acrylic paint consists of a pigment, which provides the color, and a polymer emulsion, which serves as the binder that holds the pigment particles together. This combination gives acrylic paint several advantages over oil paint. This includes faster drying time, easier clean-up, and the ability to be used on a wider range of surfaces.

Acrylic paint can be used in a variety of painting techniques. This includes traditional brushwork and airbrushing, pouring, and other experimental techniques. It can also be used in combination with other materials, like collage elements or stencils, to create a wide range of effects.

One of the key benefits of acrylic paint is its versatility. It can be thinned with water to create a more translucent effect, or it can be used in a thick, impasto style to create texture and depth. It is also known for its vibrant colors and colorfastness, meaning that it will not fade or yellow over time.

Overall, acrylic paint is a popular and versatile medium that is widely used by artists today. Its fast-drying time and ease of use make it a favorite among artists who want to work quickly or experiment with new techniques, and its wide range of colors and effects make it a powerful tool for creating dynamic and engaging works of art.

Action painting: Action painting is a style of painting that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly in the United States, and is sometimes associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement. The style is characterized by its emphasis on the physical act of painting itself, rather than the final product.

In Action painting, the artist uses broad, gestural strokes and drips, spatters, or pours paint onto the canvas, sometimes using unconventional tools like sticks, brooms, or even their own bodies to apply the paint. The resulting paintings are sometimes characterized by their dynamic, spontaneous energy and a sense of movement and immediacy.

Action painting is also sometimes referred to as gestural abstraction, as the physical gestures of the artist's body become an integral part of the painting process. The focus on the process of painting, rather than on a preconceived idea or image, is seen as a rejection of traditional representational art, and an embrace of spontaneity and improvisation.

Some of the most famous artists associated with Action painting include Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Franz Kline. These artists, among others, helped to establish Action painting as one of the defining styles of the Abstract Expressionist movement, and a powerful force in the evolution of modern art.

Overall, Action painting is a highly expressive and dynamic style of painting that emphasizes the physical act of painting itself, and celebrates the spontaneity and improvisation of the artistic process. It continues to inspire and influence artists today in the creation of visually striking and emotionally engaging works of art.

Adolph von Menzel, The Flute Concert: Adolph von Menzel was a German artist who lived from 1815 to 1905 and is known for his detailed and realistic depictions of everyday life in 19th-century Germany. One of his most famous works is The Flute Concert, a painting completed in 1852.

In The Flute Concert, Menzel depicts a group of musicians gathered in a small, intimate room, with one man playing the flute while the others listen attentively. The painting is notable for its meticulous attention to detail, with every object and surface rendered with great precision and accuracy.

Menzel's use of light and shadow in the painting is also noteworthy, with the light streaming in from the window casting a warm glow on the scene and highlighting the textures and colors of the various objects in the room.

The Flute Concert is widely regarded as a masterpiece of realism, capturing the quiet beauty and intimate details of a simple moment in time. It is also seen as a reflection of Menzel's own personal and artistic values, which emphasized hard work, discipline, and a commitment to accuracy and detail in his art.

Overall, The Flute Concert is a testament to Menzel's skill as a painter and his ability to capture the essence of everyday life in his art and remains a beloved and influential work of 19th-century German painting.

Aestheticism: Aestheticism was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, particularly in Britain, and was characterized by a focus on beauty, artifice, and the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. In the context of painting, Aestheticism was characterized by an emphasis on decorative effects, refined craftsmanship, and a rejection of traditional moral and social values.

Aesthetic painters rejected the idea that art should have a moral or social purpose, and instead emphasized the importance of beauty and aesthetic experience. They sometimes drew inspiration from classical and medieval art, and from exotic cultures and natural forms.

One of the most famous painters associated with Aestheticism was James McNeill Whistler, whose famous painting Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, also known as Whistler's Mother, is considered a masterpiece of the movement. The painting, which depicts a woman seated in a simple room, is notable for its subdued color palette and emphasis on form and composition.

Other notable Aesthetic painters include Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who sometimes depicted mythological and medieval themes in his work, and Albert Moore, who was known for his elegant, decorative paintings of classical and allegorical subjects.

Overall, Aestheticism was a significant cultural and artistic movement that rejected traditional moral and social values in favor of a celebration of beauty, artifice, and sensory experience. In the context of painting, Aestheticism was characterized by a focus on decorative effects, refined craftsmanship, and a rejection of traditional narrative and representational forms in favor of pure form and composition.

Airbrush: Airbrushing is a painting technique that uses an airbrush tool to apply paint to a surface. It is a popular technique in many different artistic and industrial applications. This includes automotive painting, illustration, and commercial design.

In airbrushing, the artist uses compressed air to spray a fine mist of paint onto the surface, allowing for a high degree of control and precision in the application of color and tone. This technique is especially useful for creating smooth gradients and subtle variations in color, and for achieving a highly polished, photorealistic finish.

Airbrushing can be done with a wide range of materials. This includes acrylics, oils, and watercolors, and can be used on a variety of surfaces. This includes paper, canvas, metal, and plastic.

While airbrushing is sometimes associated with commercial art and design, it has also been used by many fine artists as a tool for creating highly detailed and realistic paintings. Some notable examples of artists who have used airbrushing in their work include Chuck Close, who used the technique to create highly detailed portraits, and Duane Hanson, who used it to create lifelike sculptures.

Overall, airbrushing is a versatile and highly precise painting technique that allows artists to create highly detailed and realistic images with a high degree of control and precision. It continues to be an important tool in many different artistic and industrial contexts today.

Alberto Giacometti, Portrait of Jean Genet: Portrait of Jean Genet is a painting by the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, completed in 1955. Giacometti is widely considered one of the most important sculptors and painters of the 20th century, known for his distinctive, elongated figures that captured the existential angst and isolation of the postwar period.

In Portrait of Jean Genet, Giacometti depicts the French writer and playwright Jean Genet, whom he met in the late 1940s and who became a close friend and artistic collaborator. The painting is notable for its stark, minimalist composition, with Genet's face and hands rendered in sharp relief against a flat, black background.

The painting is characterized by Giacometti's distinctive style, which emphasized using thin, elongated lines to create figures that seem to be on the brink of disintegration or collapse. The portrait captures Genet's intense, brooding personality, with his piercing gaze and sharply defined features conveying a sense of inner turmoil and psychological tension.

Portrait of Jean Genet is widely regarded as a masterpiece of 20th-century painting, and is considered a prime example of Giacometti's unique style and vision. The painting reflects Giacometti's interest in existentialism, the human condition, and the idea of art as a means of capturing the innermost thoughts and emotions of the human psyche.

Albrecht Altdorfer, The Battle of Alexander at Issus: The Battle of Alexander at Issus is a painting by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer, completed in 1529. The painting depicts the famous battle between Alexander the Great and the Persian king Darius III in 333 BC and is considered one of the most important works of the Northern Renaissance.

The painting is notable for its detailed, highly stylized depiction of the battle scene, with intricate, swirling patterns and vivid colors creating a sense of movement and drama. The figures are depicted in great detail, with each individual soldier and horse carefully rendered to create a sense of chaos and confusion.

One of the most striking features of the painting is its use of light and shadow, with the bright, fiery glow of the sun setting over the battlefield creating a sense of heightened drama and tension. The composition is highly symmetrical, with Alexander the Great depicted in the center of the painting, surrounded by his troops and the enemy forces.

The Battle of Alexander at Issus is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance painting, and is notable for its innovative use of color, composition, and technique. The painting reflects Altdorfer's interest in the natural world, and his fascination with history, mythology, and the heroic ideal. It remains one of the most important works of the Northern Renaissance and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the era.

Albrecht Dürer, Picture of a Young Venetian Woman: Picture of a Young Venetian Woman is a painting by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, completed in 1505. The painting is a portrait of an unknown woman from Venice and is notable for its meticulous attention to detail and the subtle, nuanced expression of the subject.

The painting is a fine example of Dürer's skill as a portrait painter and reflects his interest in the human form and the individual character of his subjects. The woman is depicted with striking realism, with every detail of her clothing and jewelry carefully rendered to create a sense of texture and depth.

One of the most notable features of the painting is the way in which Dürer captures the woman's expression, which is both serene and enigmatic. Her slightly tilted head and half-smile suggest a sense of introspection and quiet confidence and convey a subtle sense of mystery and allure.

Picture of a Young Venetian Woman is considered one of Dürer's most accomplished and technically proficient works, and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Renaissance portraiture. The painting reflects Dürer's fascination with the human form and his belief in the importance of individual character and expression. It remains an important work in the history of European painting and continues to be admired for its timeless beauty and exquisite detail.

Albrecht Dürer, Self-portrait: Self-portrait is a painting by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, completed in 1500. The painting is a self-portrait of the artist and is notable for its striking realism and detailed attention to the individual features and character of the subject.

The painting is considered one of the most important self-portraits in the history of art and is notable for the way in which Dürer captures his own likeness with incredible precision and skill. The artist is depicted with a sense of confident self-assurance, with his piercing gaze and intense expression conveying a sense of intellectual and artistic depth.

One of the most striking features of the painting is its composition, with Dürer depicted in a three-quarter profile against a neutral background. The artist's face and hands are rendered with exquisite detail, with every line and contour carefully studied to create a sense of depth and texture.

Self-portrait is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance painting, and is notable for its technical proficiency, psychological depth, and emotional intensity. The painting reflects Dürer's fascination with the human form and his belief in the importance of individual character and expression. It remains an important work in the history of European painting and continues to be admired for its timeless beauty and exquisite detail.

Alexej von Jawlensky, Meditation: Meditation is a painting by the Russian Expressionist artist Alexej von Jawlensky, completed in 1918. The painting is notable for its bold use of color and its stylized, abstract depiction of the human form.

The painting depicts a female figure with closed eyes and hands clasped in a pose of meditation. The figure is depicted with a series of bold, brightly colored shapes and lines, creating a sense of movement and energy. The use of color is particularly striking, with vibrant reds, blues, and yellows contrasting with softer, more muted tones.

Meditation is considered one of Jawlensky's most accomplished and innovative works, and is an important example of his unique style of Expressionism. The painting reflects Jawlensky's interest in spirituality and the inner life of the individual, and his fascination with color and form. The painting remains an important work in the history of modern art and continues to be admired for its boldness, beauty, and emotional power.

Altermodern: Altermodern is a term coined by the French art critic and curator Nicolas Bourriaud to describe a new artistic movement that emerged in the early 21st century. The movement is characterized by an emphasis on cultural hybridity, global interconnectedness, and the shifting boundaries between local and global cultures.

In the context of paintings, Altermodern artists sometimes explore themes of identity, migration, and globalization through a variety of styles and techniques. They may incorporate traditional painting techniques and materials, and new media like digital imagery, video, and installation art.

Altermodern artists may challenge traditional concepts of art and art-making and may engage with issues of social and political significance. They may work collaboratively with other artists or communities and may use their art to create new forms of