Louvre Shutters 🚧, Ten Vermeers in Manhattan 🖼️, 30 Monuments of Black Americans ✊
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
Louvre Museum Shutters as “Exhausted” Staff Go on Strike
A staff strike at the Louvre Museum in Paris caused significant delays for thousands of visitors on June 16, as workers protested poor conditions exacerbated by overcrowding and staff shortages. The strike coincided with President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of a major renovation plan aimed at improving the museum's infrastructure and visitor experience.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that President Trump's administration unlawfully withheld funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), violating the Impoundment Control Act. The GAO's decision, supported by Democratic lawmakers, highlights concerns over the impact of funding freezes on museums and libraries nationwide, with significant appropriations for fiscal year 2024 at risk. The IMLS has faced legal challenges from multiple states and organizations in response to the executive order aimed at eliminating its funding.
👩🎨 Artist Features
Charcoal portrait artist to exhibit works at Aiken Center for the Arts
Diana Kirkpatrick will display her fine art charcoal portraiture at the Aiken Center for the Arts from June 19 to July 25, highlighting everyday people in quiet moments through her meticulous sanded charcoal technique. Kirkpatrick aims to elevate her subjects, traditionally overlooked in portraiture, to a regal status. The exhibition will also feature works by member artists Margaret Littlejohn and Lynne Austin Rhodes, reflecting themes of movement and botanical illustration, respectively. An opening reception will take place on June 19 from 6-8 p.m.
Preserving Change: The Realist Vision of Brad Davis - Realism Today
Cincinnati artist Brad Davis explores themes of transformation and memory in his contemporary realist works, often depicting urban landscapes and meaningful portraits. He draws inspiration from his surroundings, focusing on sites of change and personal narratives, influenced by his artistic upbringing and education. Davis's recent piece, 'Noumena,' reflects on loss and presence, using symbolism to convey emotional depth in his art.
qiang-huang, a daily painter: Still Life Study 061925
An artist reflects on a conversation with a friend regarding his colorless paintings despite extensive research on color. He explains that working without color helps him grasp the fundamentals of color theory, including the interaction between transparent and opaque paints, as well as the impact of color temperature in creating cohesive artwork. This practice deepens his understanding of how to effectively use color in future paintings.
🖼 Shows
Ten Vermeers. In Manhattan. Right now.
New York City currently hosts the largest public display of Johannes Vermeer paintings outside the Netherlands, featuring ten works across the Frick Collection and the Met. The Frick's exhibition, "Vermeer’s Love Letters," highlights three paintings centered on the theme of letter writing and the interactions between mistresses and their maids. This unique opportunity follows the 2023 Amsterdam exhibition, which set attendance records, and provides art lovers with a rare chance to appreciate Vermeer’s mastery of light and domestic scenes in a single visit.
🎨 Learn
30 NYC Monuments of Black Americans You Should Know
A memorial in Riverside Park honors writer Ralph Ellison, featuring a 15-foot bronze sculpture created by Elizabeth Catlett, an influential Black artist. The memorial, unveiled in 2003, highlights the ongoing struggle for representation of Black Americans in public monuments, a topic explored in David Felsen's upcoming book, "New York City Monuments of Black Americans."
📚 History
The Queer History of Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain
The article from Hyperallergic highlights the significance of Emma Stebbins' "Angel of the Waters," a Neoclassical sculpture in Central Park, which commemorates both the healing waters of Bethesda and Stebbins' relationship with actress Charlotte Cushman. Despite initial criticism upon its unveiling in 1873, the sculpture is now recognized as a vital piece of New York's LGBTQ+ art history.
Benjamin West’s portrait of King George III of England – Lines and Colors
Benjamin West's portrait of King George III, measuring approximately 100 x 72 inches, depicts the monarch in military attire, symbolizing his role as a strong leader during an impending invasion by French and Spanish fleets. Created after West's successful career in America and his establishment in England, the painting reflects the king's dual identity as a military commander and sovereign.
💼 Opportunities
The Getty Launches Global Art and Sustainability Fellowship Program
The Getty has launched the Global Art and Sustainability Fellows program to enhance sustainability in the art and cultural sectors, supporting early-career professionals and artists focused on climate resilience. The initiative will fund 15 organizations worldwide for two years, aiming to address climate challenges in heritage management and raise public awareness through various projects, including artist residencies. As climate threats escalate, this program represents a significant step for the Getty in promoting sustainable practices within prominent cultural institutions.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham