Tourist Damages Uffizi Painting 🖼️, Bob Dylan Releases Art Book 📚, How to Paint a Realistic Still Life 🎨
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
Uffizi Gallery Visitor Damages Painting in Botched Selfie
A visitor at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence accidentally tore an 18th-century portrait while taking a selfie, reigniting debate over museum safety and social media behavior. The museum director is calling for new “anti-selfie measures,” while staff unions argue that poorly designed platforms are to blame. This incident is the latest in a string of artwork mishaps involving distracted tourists.
Bob Dylan Announces New Art Book ‘Point Blank’ to Release This Fall
Bob Dylan will release “Point Blank (Quick Studies),” an art book featuring nearly 100 black-and-white drawings from 2021 and 2022, on November 18. The collection encompasses a diverse range of subjects and is complemented by prose from Eddie Gorodetsky, Jackie Hamilton, and Lucy Sante, thereby enriching the context of Dylan's visual storytelling. This release coincides with the unabridged audiobook edition of his memoir, “Chronicles: Volume One,” narrated by Sean Penn.
MAKING A MARK: Winner of design for Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II announced
Foster + Partners has won the competition to design a permanent memorial for HM Queen Elizabeth II, following public feedback on five shortlisted proposals. The design is expected to be significantly larger and more impressive than the previous plan for the 4th Plinth in Trafalgar Square.
👩🎨 Artist Features
Artist Directory: Silvia Bignami
Silvia Bignami, a Bologna-based artist and journalist, began painting in May 2022 and quickly gained recognition, becoming a finalist in the Vienna International Prize for Contemporary Art and holding her first solo exhibition in February 2024. Her work, primarily focused on portraits, explores themes of gender fluidity, identity, and social issues, often using mixed media techniques. Bignami's ongoing "Motz" series features portraits of Mozart, allowing her to experiment with various styles and materials.
Artist to Watch: Sculpting Spirit and Substance - Fine Art Connoisseur
Heather Personett creates contemporary realism portraiture in her Brooklyn studio. Personett focuses on expressing emotional and spiritual depth in her work, earning accolades like First Place at the Salmagundi Club for her sculpture of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. With a strong academic background, she now teaches sculpture at various institutions while fostering a community of artists and students.
Interview with Jennifer Allnutt realist painter
Jennifer Allnutt, a member of the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory, shares her journey as a realist painter, emphasizing the challenges of developing her artistic style and navigating social media restrictions on nudity. She stresses the importance of mentorship and community in her growth, while acknowledging the challenges of self-promotion. Allnutt believes that building genuine connections is essential for gaining recognition in the art world.
Artist Directory: Nadine Tralala
Nadine Tralala, a German figurative oil painter, combines classical techniques with modern surrealism, creating vibrant and dreamlike artwork that evokes feelings of comfort and healing. Her paintings often depict humans alongside animals, symbolizing unity and empowerment, and she recently won first prize at the 33PA Emerging Artist Award. Tralala's work offers a moment of calm in a chaotic world through bold colors and dynamic compositions.
🖼 Shows
Peregrine Heathcote’s new “Skyward” exhibition lands in New York
Peregrine Heathcote's new exhibition "Skyward" will be on display at Bonner David Galleries in New York from June 26 to August 8, 2025. The UK-based artist blends pre-war design with modern glamour, creating narrative paintings that capture strong female characters amidst cinematic settings featuring vintage transportation. Heathcote's work draws inspiration from his childhood experiences and classic films, aiming to transport viewers into intimate and contemplative moments within his richly colored scenes.
🎨 Learn
How to paint realistic still life paintings | Creative Bloq
Damien Mammoliti outlines 12 steps for creating compelling digital still life paintings, aiming to shift the perception that still life is merely a tedious exercise. He emphasizes the importance of composition, lighting, and the accurate depiction of materials to enhance artistic skills, regardless of the subject matter. The article serves as a guide for artists to explore still life in a modern digital context, utilizing tools like Photoshop.
📚 History
A Certain Distancing Finesse | LINEA
The exhibition "Sargent and Paris" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art explores Sargent's journey from a traditional portrait painter to one who incorporated Impressionist techniques, particularly in his famous portrait of Madame X, which initially scandalized audiences. The piece explores the complexities of Sargent's artistic identity, the interplay between style and commercial success, and the ongoing reassessment of his contributions to modern art, all while addressing the broader implications of art and societal values.
Why Is Velázquez’s Las Meninas So Important?
Diego Velázquez's 1656 painting, "Las Meninas," is a pivotal work in Western art that explores the complex relationship between the viewer and the subject. Set in a royal chamber, it features Infanta Margaret Theresa surrounded by her entourage, including Velázquez himself, who challenges traditional artistic conventions by merging illusion with reality. The painting prompts viewers to question their perspective, as the reflection of King Philip IV and his wife suggests a deeper narrative beyond the canvas.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham