The Comtesse Returns in April 🏰, 'Fearless Girl' Sculpture in Question as DEI Ends ✊, Fat Over Lean Explained 🎨
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
The Fate of ‘Fearless Girl’ Sculpture Is in Question as DEI Commitments End
State Street Global Advisors has reduced its commitment to diversity in corporate boardrooms, moving away from previous requirements for gender and racial representation in its investment guidelines. This shift follows criticism of the company’s alignment with the ideals represented by the Fearless Girl statue, which it erected in 2017 to symbolize female empowerment. The future of the statue remains uncertain as its permit status is unclear, raising questions about its long-term placement in New York City.
👩🎨 Artist Features
Artist Directory: Emmi Mustonen
Artist Emmi Mustonen employs old masters’ painting techniques from the Renaissance, focusing on meticulous layering to create depth in her work. While she values the technical aspects of her craft, her primary interest lies in the emotional connections art can forge across diverse cultures. Mustonen aims to highlight human diversity in her paintings, encouraging viewers to find commonality amidst differences.
Vincent Valdez on making art that connects communities - The Art Newspaper
Vincent Valdez, a prominent Chicano artist, is celebrated in the PBS documentary series American Masters for his detailed and emotionally charged work that addresses marginalized American experiences. His first major museum survey, "Vincent Valdez: Just a Dream…," spans two decades of his creative output and includes a range of mediums, highlighting themes of violence and identity, particularly in relation to the Mexican American community. As Valdez reflects on his career and the current political climate, he emphasizes the importance of authentic artistic expression in confronting societal issues.
Step into the Haiti of the past at Sophia LaCroix’s ‘Roots and Realism’ exhibit - The Haitian Times
Haitian-American artist Sophia LaCroix will open her exhibition "Roots and Realism: A Haitian Artist's Reminiscence" on April 18 at the Ali Cultural Arts Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. The exhibition features hyper-realistic paintings that evoke the nostalgia and resilience of Haiti in the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting LaCroix's childhood memories and her journey as an artist.
Realism Landscapes with Imagination and Technique - Realism Today
Ted Walsh's exhibition "Into the Quiet," running at Robert Lange Studios until March 28, 2025, features his evocative paintings of serene landscapes and forgotten spaces. Walsh emphasizes a balance of realism and imagination in his work, often drawing inspiration from nature and personal experience to evoke emotions like nostalgia and thoughtfulness. His artistic process relies on intuition and a variety of techniques, aiming to create paintings that resonate with viewers on multiple levels.
🖼 Shows
The Frick’s Most Beguiling Portrait Returns—And She’s as Mesmerizing as Ever
The Frick Collection in New York will reopen in April 2025, featuring Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’s celebrated 1845 painting, Portrait of the Comtesse d’Haussonville. This iconic work captures the beauty of Louise de Broglie, a notable cultural figure of her time. Despite Ingres's initial reluctance to undertake society portraits, the painting's enchanting quality has solidified its status as a beloved centerpiece of the museum's collection.
A Long-Forgotten Dutch Artist Finally Claims Her Spot in the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum has acquired a rare painting by 17th-century artist Maria van Oosterwijck, titled Vanitas Still Life, marking its first display in Amsterdam after over three centuries. This still life, which features symbolic elements reflecting Oosterwijck's deep religious beliefs, is only the second of her works to be held in a Dutch institution. The acquisition is part of the museum's initiative to enhance the representation of female artists in its collection.
MAKING A MARK: Artwork I liked at the RBA Annual Exhibition 2025
The blog discusses the diverse artworks featured in the Royal Society of British Artists’ Annual Exhibition 2025, known for its eclectic range of media including paintings, prints, and sculptures. The author highlights two standout pieces in the East Gallery that captivated attention. The blog also notes that comments are disabled due to spam but invites readers to engage via its Facebook page.
🎨 Learn
An Explanation of the Fat Over Lean Rule
The article explains the "Fat Over Lean" rule in oil painting, emphasizing the importance of layering techniques to prevent cracking in finished works. It describes how lean layers, made with solvents, should be applied first, followed by fatter layers incorporating oils or mediums. The author shares a personal experience of violating this rule, which led to cracking in a painting, and provides guidance on how to achieve the correct layering for optimal results.
📚 History
Donatello Masterpiece Identified After Decades in Storage
A recently discovered 15th-century marble bust in a Slovak museum may be a rare signed work by the renowned artist Donatello, previously mistaken for a 19th-century imitation. The bust, depicting Cecilia Gonzaga, highlights the historical ties between the Gonzaga family and Slovakia, raising concerns about its preservation and the local museum's capability to care for such a valuable piece. Experts are verifying its authenticity, but the artwork remains out of public view, prompting discussions about its future handling in the current cultural climate in Slovakia.
💼 Opportunities
ARC Salon (International Art Competition) - Call For Artists
The Art Renewal Center (ARC) has opened its call for entries for the 18th International ARC Salon Competition, the largest competition for 21st Century Realism, attracting over 5,000 submissions from 87 countries. Artists can compete in various categories, including figurative art, portraiture, and sculpture, with over $130,000 in cash awards and the opportunity for international recognition through the ARC website. The competition serves as a significant platform for artists, offering career-changing opportunities and promoting the revival of realism in visual arts.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham