White Lotus Art History 🏺, Floral Painting Process 🌸, Deep-Dive with Draftsman Grimaldi ✍️
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
All the Art History Nods in ‘The White Lotus’ Finale Revealed
The visual symbolism behind the show's most dramatic moments, from Rick and Chelsea’s watery deaths echoing Millais’s Ophelia, to Rick’s final embrace of Chelsea recalling Michelangelo’s Pietà. She highlights nods to Ilya Repin, Michiel Coxie, and even the show's own credit art, thanks in part to an eagle-eyed Columbia art history grad. It’s a spoiler-filled treasure hunt through fine art references woven into HBO’s murder-laced satire.
Art Auction Sales Dropped by 25% in 2024 Amid Global Volatility
The Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report indicates that public auction sales fell by 25% in 2024, contributing to a total decline in global art sales of 12%, down to $57.7 billion. The report highlights a contrasting rise in private sales, which increased by 14%, as art sellers sought greater control amidst market volatility. Factors such as inflation and trade tariffs are expected to further challenge the art market, particularly affecting U.S. imports from key European partners.
Artist Called 'Truly the Worst' by Trump Says Her Career is Threatened
Artist Sarah A. Boardman faces challenges to her livelihood after President Trump criticized her portrait of him as “truly the worst” and “purposefully distorted.” The painting was removed from Colorado's state legislature following requests from local Republican leaders, who aimed to replace it with a more favorable depiction. Boardman emphasized that her artistic practice aims to capture the essence of her subjects, and she expressed concern that Trump's remarks are adversely affecting her 41-year business.
👩🎨 Artist Features
In Hyperrealistic Oil Paintings, Chloe West Summons Magical Realism in the American West — Colossal
Chloe West's solo exhibition, "Games of Chance," at HARPER'S features her oil paintings that blend Dutch Golden Age influences with themes from the American West. Drawing inspiration from her Wyoming roots, West challenges traditional cowboy stereotypes through self-portraits that incorporate elements like animal bones and fabric backdrops, creating tension between life and death. The exhibition, which runs until May 10 in New York City, critiques the idealization of frontier heroism while exploring the impact of European colonial attitudes on the region's narrative.
Episode 77: Michael Grimaldi — Suggested Donation
In Episode 77 of Suggested Donation, artists Tony Curanaj and Edward Minoff sit down with Michael Grimaldi for a deep dive into his life and philosophy as an artist. Grimaldi, known for his rigorous draftsmanship and intense focus on the human figure, discusses his evolution as both painter and educator, sharing thoughts on the role of tradition, discipline, and observation in his work.
For those new to Suggested Donation, the podcast is hosted by Curanaj and Minoff—both classically trained painters—who use the show to explore art, craftsmanship, and the lives of contemporary realist artists. Known for their humor and depth, each episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to live and work as a representational artist today.
🖼 Shows
Beautiful Bizarre curated exhibition “Dreamland Awaits” @ Corey Helford Gallery
The "Dreamland Awaits" exhibition, a collaboration between Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Corey Helford Gallery, features 102 artists exploring the theme of dreams through their unique perspectives. The exhibition invites viewers to engage with the subconscious and reflects on the transformative power of imagination. It opens to the public on April 26 at Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, with online access available afterward for those interested in purchasing artwork.
🎨 Learn
Making It Big: Eric Wert Takes Floral Painting to a Whole New Level | Artists Network
Artist Eric Wert recently completed his largest painting to date, a 4 x 14-foot piece titled "Cascade," featuring a cascade of flowers from a tumbled vase. The project required extensive preparation, including sourcing dahlias and chrysanthemums from local markets to meet the client's specific request and a tight timeframe. Wert's process involved creating a detailed underpainting and adapting his techniques for large-scale work, resulting in a vibrant composition designed to convey movement and luminosity when viewed from a distance.
📚 History
The French Postal Worker Who Sat for Van Goghbluesky
Vincent van Gogh's relationship with postal worker Joseph Roulin is the focus of the exhibition "Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits" at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, showcasing 14 of the artist's portraits of Roulin and his family. The exhibition highlights the deep friendship between van Gogh and Roulin, which provided emotional support during van Gogh's turbulent times, including his mental health struggles. The exhibition will travel to the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam after its Boston run.
💼 Opportunities
Call For Entries: 18th International ARC Salon Competition | ArtsJournal
The Art Renewal Center's International ARC Salon® is the largest competition for 21st Century Realism, attracting over 5,000 entries from 87 countries. With more than $130,000 in cash awards and significant exposure, the competition offers artists valuable career opportunities through partnerships with notable magazines and galleries. Entries for the 18th International ARC Salon® will be accepted from March 1 to June 12, 2025.
💰 Auction House
Rare Rembrandt Drawing May Fetch Tens of Millions at Auction
A 17th-century drawing of a lion by Rembrandt, titled Young Lion Resting, is set to potentially become the most expensive work on paper sold at auction, with American collector Thomas Kaplan estimating a sale price in the tens of millions. Proceeds from the sale will support big cat conservation through Kaplan's organization, Panthera. The drawing is currently on display at Amsterdam’s H’ART Museum and will later travel to Florida.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham