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The MastersSomeone recently asked me why artists need to study art history and past masters. Art is just as much learned as any other ability. Certainly some people may be born with an inherent talent... or rather their brains may be more wired than others for a mastery visual and spatial matters... but even those who have this skill could most probably benefit from past aseven inherent talent is nothing without a great deal more effort, practice, and learning. Art is language... and one is no more born with a mastery of English or French than one is born with a mastery of painting, drawing, etc... Art is a language that is mastered only through great effort. Yes... there are some artists who are largely "self-taught"... but this was not true of Michelangelo, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Titian, or most artists. As Bonnard put it, "one cannot invent the whole of painting by oneself." Without learning from others it would be a wasting precious time reinventing the wheel when this time could be used in a more productive way. Nearly every artist has been influenced by other artists whom he or she admires. Undoubtedly most artists have instances when they fear being over-influenced. The great literary critic referred to this as the "anxiety of influence". The greatest artists are those who most successfully transform..and this influence, producing something truly "new" or "original" in the process. Hiding from influences may certainly keep one from being overly influenced... but it will also most likely lead to repetition... stagnation... and cliche. Knowledge fills the vacuum of ignorance. I think not only from learning about other artists you can expand your own knowledge of art techniques, styles, but knowing how hard they had to work to get their work and their title as "Master" is something I also think can be helpful for current artist to keep going in one of the hardest professions to succeed in. For example, Michelangelo's first sale was a sculpture that the art dealer sold as an antique and Michelangelo was ripped off on the deal... Van Gogh only sold one painting his entire life... Personally, as an artist, I feel learning from others past and present is invaluable tool for the developing artist even if they choose different modes of expression the knowledge gleaned, examples of tenaciousness, and efforts the Masters in the past benefit any artist that cares to delve into them. This is some of the reason why I have an interest in the Master painters and sculptures in the past and would like to share some of their lives with you. I will be adding to the Masters section as time allows so please keep checking back to see more. Works and Information of the Master Painters Please click on the links below to enjoy and share a small piece
of the Master Painters works and lives with me. I admire each of
them for one reason or another. They not only created beauty but
teach us as we develop as artists to strive more to achieve. Click to view more works By Leonardo
Da Vinci Artwork of Rosa Bonheur
Artemisia Gentilesch
George Inness |
