Frida Kahlo Enters Public Domain 🌺, Critiques of Bananas and Gérôme 🖼️, Floral Painting Demo 🎨
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
Frida Kahlo and Henri Matisse Enter the Public Domain
Public Domain Day has arrived, allowing free access to the works of notable artists and authors such as Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Robert Capa, William Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, and Ernest Hemingway, whose copyrights expired due to their publication dates. This year, the public can legally use these creative works, although some aspects, like Kahlo's likeness, remain trademarked, complicating their commercial use.
A Manet Painting Was Divided for Years—Until Degas Brought It Back Together
Édouard Manet's painting "The Execution of Maximilian" has a tumultuous history, marked by his frequent practice of altering works, including his own. After Manet's death in 1883, his family cut the painting into four pieces, leading Edgar Degas to reassemble some fragments, although key parts remain missing. The painting, which reflects on Napoleon III's political failure, has since been restored but retains a fragmented legacy.
🖼 Shows
Best Upcoming 2025 Exhibitions | Whitewall
Vacheron Constantin highlights a series of significant art exhibitions for 2025, featuring retrospectives and surveys from renowned artists such as Ruth Asawa, Lisa Yuskavage, and Giuseppe Penone. Upcoming shows include a comprehensive look at Asawa's 60-year career at MoMA, Yuskavage's vibrant new works in Los Angeles, and Penone's exploration of nature and creativity in London.
🎨 Learn
Dreaming of spring? These floral paintings and demo take you there. | Artists Network
Pastel artist Silja Salmistu creates vibrant floral and fruit still lifes that blend realism and impressionism, drawing on personal memories and emotions tied to her subjects. Her connection to flowers like Sweet William has evolved from associations with grief in her childhood in Estonia to symbols of celebration in Denmark, influencing her recent works. Salmistu's painting process involves layering colors and capturing the essence of her subjects to evoke joyful summer scenes.
On With the Good Stuff - Fine Art Connoisseur
The Editor's Note in Fine Art Connoisseur highlights the recent sale of Maurizio Cattelan's controversial artwork, "Comedian," a banana duct-taped to a wall, which sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby’s. The piece has sparked discussions about the nature of contemporary art and its perceived lack of depth, contrasting with the historical significance of works like the "Mona Lisa." Trippi emphasizes a preference for authentic and meaningful art, urging readers to focus on quality rather than the spectacle of modern art trends.
📚 History
What Makes Rembrandt So Great? A Look at 10 of His Most Iconic Works
Rembrandt van Rijn, a key figure of the Dutch Golden Age, is celebrated for his rich portraits and Biblical scenes that reflect deep emotion and individuality. His works, such as "The Night Watch" and "The Anatomy Lesson," exhibit a transformation from colorful beginnings to more solemn later pieces, marking significant milestones in art history. Rembrandt's influence persists today, with his innovative techniques and profound themes continuing to inspire artists and art lovers alike.
Why Isn’t Slavery Depicted in Dutch Painting?
Caroline Fowler's upcoming book, Slavery and the Invention of Dutch Art, explores how the Dutch Golden Age's art was intertwined with the economic foundations of racial capitalism and the legacy of slavery. Fowler argues that while the art of the period often neglects to depict the realities of slavery, it reflects a transformation of religious themes into secular subjects, highlighting the complex relationship between wealth, colonialism, and artistic production. The book challenges traditional interpretations by revealing the hidden connections between Dutch art and the brutalities of the slave trade, prompting a reevaluation of the era's artistic legacy.
A “Both Sides” Approach to Orientalism
The exhibition "Seeing Is Believing: The Art and Influence of Gérôme" at Mathaf in Doha critiques the Orientalist perspectives of artist Jean Léon Gérôme, known for his mythicized depictions of Eastern cultures. Curators Emily Weeks, Giles Hudson, and Sara Raza encourage viewers to reassess Gérôme's work, highlighting both his artistic skill and the problematic nature of his portrayals. The show contrasts Gérôme's romanticized vision with contemporary art that challenges Eurocentric views, ultimately advocating for a more nuanced understanding of art from the MENASA region.
💼 Opportunities
MAKING A MARK: Another Portrait Competition - for Self Portraits
The biennial Self Portrait Prize, sponsored by The Ruth Borchard Collection, has opened its Call for Entries, with submissions due by May 2, 2025. Winners will be notified before the public announcement, and the organizers may purchase works for the Next Generation Collection.
Explore Creative Opportunities at Pratt Institute’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies
Pratt Institute’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) offers flexible educational programs, including noncredit certificates and workshops, to enhance the creative skills of aspiring and established artists. With various delivery modes—in-person, online, and hybrid—students can tailor their learning experience to fit their schedules. The SCPS encourages exploration across disciplines, allowing individuals to build a personalized path in art and design without needing prior approval to enroll in individual courses.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best Regards,
Fletcher Graham