Arthur John Elsley | Genre painter

Arthur John Elsley (20 November 1860 - 19 February 1952) was an English painter of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, famous for his idyllic genre scenes of playful children and their pets.

He achieved great popularity during his life and much of his work appeared in calendars, magazines and books.

Elsley was born in London, one of six children of John Elsley, coachman and amateur artist, and Emily Freer.

Elsley's father had exhibited at the British Institution Exhibition in 1845 but later in life contracted tuberculosis which forced him into early retirement.

František Drtikol | Art Déco / Nouveau photographer

František Drtikol (1883-1961) was a Czech photographer and became famous for his modernist portraits and acts in the style of the late Art Nouveau.

Born in 1883 in the mining town of Pribram, west of Prague, Drtikol would go on to study photography in Munich, where he would be heavily influenced by the Art Nouveau.

Early on he divided his time among both drawing and photography, but focused primarily on the latter upon his return home; both as an art form and as a means for making a living.

Pasquale Celommi | A good catch, 1895

Pasquale Celommi (1851-1928) was an Italian painter, known for his outdoor scenes of Italian life in verist style.

Born in Montepagano, Abruzzo, Italy, he developed a keen eye for detail and depicted everyday life with a captivating realism.

Thanks to the help of a local landowner, Don Camillo Mezzopreti, and to a contribution of 30 lire by the Municipality, he managed to study until the year 1873, when he enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence.

Igor Talwinski | Ballet dancers

Igor Talwinski (1907-1983) was a notable Polish-born French painter, active primarily in France and England, known for his portraits and figure studies, particularly female figures.

His work is characterized by a figurative style, with soft modeling of faces and bodies often contrasted by lively brushwork in the backgrounds.

He was mobilized in September 1939 and was taken prisoner by the Germans.

Philippe Jacquot, 1966 | Figurative painter

Philippe Jacquot's favorite subject is the representation of characters.

Later he sought expression in both portraits and figure.

He works the pencil and pastels, as well as red chalk drawing, oil and acrylic.

After several experiences in decorative painting and design, in 1990 he decided to devote himself exclusively to his painting.

Daniel Del Orfano, 1968 | Romantic painter

Daniel Del Orfano is an American painter, known for working in the Romantic Figurative style.

Through the combination of his simple palette of fiery, emotionally driven reds and his creative use of shadows, Del Orfano raises the temperature in these sensual and seductive paintings.

Even Del Orfano's trademark "Red Umbrella" is prominently portrayed in a playful, creative manner.

Rob Gonsalves | Magic realism painter

Robert "Rob" Gonsalves (1959-2017) was an award winning Canadian painter of magic realism -surrealism.

He produces original works, limited edition prints and illustrations for his own books.

John Currin, 1962 | Figurative painter

John Currin is an American painter based in New York City.

He is most recognised for his technically proficient satirical figurative paintings that explore controversial societal topics.

His work shows a wide range of influences, including sources as diverse as the Renaissance, popular culture magazines, and contemporary fashion models.

He often distorts or exaggerates the erotic forms of the female body, and has stressed that his characters are reflections of himself rather than inspired by real people.