Viktor Sheleg, 1962 | Abstract painter

Russian painter Виктор Шелег was born in Lomonosov, near Saint-Petersburg, Russia. His family moved to Latvia when he was three.

Viktor has been drawing since early childhood and started painting at the age of twelve. Self-taught, his creativity is based on his personal worldview, which earned him a solid reputation of an independent artist.

Russian painter Виктор Шелег was born in Lomonosov, near Saint-Petersburg, Russia. His family moved to Latvia when he was three.

Viktor has been drawing since early childhood and started painting at the age of twelve. Self-taught, his creativity is based on his personal worldview, which earned him a solid reputation of an independent artist.

John Frederick Lewis RA | Orientalist / Genre painter

British painter John Frederick Lewis RA (1805-1876) is the one of finest of the Orientalist painters. Because of his painstaking "Pre-Raphaelite" technique, his finished paintings are rare.

John Frederick Lewis was born in London in 1805, the son of a master engraver, Frederick Christian Lewis

British painter John Frederick Lewis RA (1805-1876) is the one of finest of the Orientalist painters. Because of his painstaking "Pre-Raphaelite" technique, his finished paintings are rare.

John Frederick Lewis was born in London in 1805, the son of a master engraver, Frederick Christian Lewis

Luciano Ventrone (1942-2021)

"Lo studio della pittura non è la mera rappresentazione dell'oggetto ma è colore e luce: i giusti rapporti fra le due cose danno la forma nello spazio. Il soggetto non va visto come tale ma astrattamente" - Luciano Ventrone.

Luciano Ventrone, pittore italiano, nasce a Roma. All'età di quattro anni viene ospitato in Danimarca da Metha Petersen, donna benestante ma soprattutto amorevole. Lo ricopre di cure e doni: fra le altre cose, gli regalerà una scatola di colori... quegli stessi colori che avrebbero segnato il suo futuro.

"Lo studio della pittura non è la mera rappresentazione dell'oggetto ma è colore e luce: i giusti rapporti fra le due cose danno la forma nello spazio. Il soggetto non va visto come tale ma astrattamente" - Luciano Ventrone.

Luciano Ventrone, pittore italiano, nasce a Roma. All'età di quattro anni viene ospitato in Danimarca da Metha Petersen, donna benestante ma soprattutto amorevole. Lo ricopre di cure e doni: fra le altre cose, gli regalerà una scatola di colori... quegli stessi colori che avrebbero segnato il suo futuro.

Hindu Art | Ancient Origins

Hinduism, one of the great religions of the world, has a long and rich history of depicting the divine in art. Originating in India in remote antiquity, it is a polytheistic system with a myriad of gods and goddesses.

The challenge for artists was not a shortage of subject matter, but rather how to give form to beings that by their very natures are formless. Relying mainly on sacred religious texts wherein the exploits of the gods and goddesses are told and retold, certain tales and episodes became favorites for illustration, and standard iconographies were established for specific deities.

Hinduism, one of the great religions of the world, has a long and rich history of depicting the divine in art. Originating in India in remote antiquity, it is a polytheistic system with a myriad of gods and goddesses.

The challenge for artists was not a shortage of subject matter, but rather how to give form to beings that by their very natures are formless. Relying mainly on sacred religious texts wherein the exploits of the gods and goddesses are told and retold, certain tales and episodes became favorites for illustration, and standard iconographies were established for specific deities.

Antoine Bourdelle | Expressionist sculptor

Antoine Bourdelle (30 October 1861 - 1 October 1929), born Émile-Antoine Bordelles, was an influential and prolific French sculptor**, painter and teacher.

His studio became the Musée Bourdelle, an art museum dedicated to his work, located at 18, rue Antoine Bourdelle, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France.

Bourdelle was born at Montauban, Tarn-et-Garonne. He left school at the age of 13 to work as a wood carver in his father's cabinet making shop.

Antoine Bourdelle (30 October 1861 - 1 October 1929), born Émile-Antoine Bordelles, was an influential and prolific French sculptor**, painter and teacher.

His studio became the Musée Bourdelle, an art museum dedicated to his work, located at 18, rue Antoine Bourdelle, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France.

Bourdelle was born at Montauban, Tarn-et-Garonne. He left school at the age of 13 to work as a wood carver in his father's cabinet making shop.

Jan Steen | Baroque Era painter

Jan Steen, in full Jan Havickszoon Steen, (born c. 1625, Leiden, Netherlands - died February 3, 1679, Leiden), Dutch painter** of genre, or everyday, scenes, often lively interiors bearing a moralizing theme.

Steen is unique among leading 17th-century Dutch painters** for his humour; he has often been compared to the French comic playwright Molière, his contemporary, and indeed both men treated life as a vast comedy of manners.

Jan Steen, in full Jan Havickszoon Steen, (born c. 1625, Leiden, Netherlands - died February 3, 1679, Leiden), Dutch painter** of genre, or everyday, scenes, often lively interiors bearing a moralizing theme.

Steen is unique among leading 17th-century Dutch painters** for his humour; he has often been compared to the French comic playwright Molière, his contemporary, and indeed both men treated life as a vast comedy of manners.

John Arthur Lomax | Genre painter

John Arthur Lomax was an British** genre painter, born in Manchester. He studied in Stuttgart and at the Munich Academy, but returned to Manchester and later relocated to London.

The artist’s subjects were mainly historical genre of the 17th and 18th Centuries, especially of the Civil War period, often with a dramatic or sentimental theme.

Titles at the Royal Academy include “Thoughts of Christmas”, “An Old Master” and “Flaw in the Title”.

John Arthur Lomax was an British** genre painter, born in Manchester. He studied in Stuttgart and at the Munich Academy, but returned to Manchester and later relocated to London.

The artist’s subjects were mainly historical genre of the 17th and 18th Centuries, especially of the Civil War period, often with a dramatic or sentimental theme.

Titles at the Royal Academy include “Thoughts of Christmas”, “An Old Master” and “Flaw in the Title”.

Remy Daza Rojas, 1955 | Figurative painter

Remy Daza Rojas is a Bolivian painter, born in Cochabamba, Bolivia. From 1978-1981 he studied at the Ernesto de la Cárcova School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina and practiced painting from a young age, along with Gíldaro Antezana, Ricardo Pérez Alcalá, and Vladimir Rojas.

His paintings are made with a skillful technical handling, in realism in which the human figure becomes the protagonist.

The color and, above all, the light are worked very skillfully creating expressive forms, full of harmonious sensuality and that tend to touch certain symbolism or incorporate surreal elements.

Remy Daza Rojas is a Bolivian painter, born in Cochabamba, Bolivia. From 1978-1981 he studied at the Ernesto de la Cárcova School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina and practiced painting from a young age, along with Gíldaro Antezana, Ricardo Pérez Alcalá, and Vladimir Rojas.

His paintings are made with a skillful technical handling, in realism in which the human figure becomes the protagonist.

The color and, above all, the light are worked very skillfully creating expressive forms, full of harmonious sensuality and that tend to touch certain symbolism or incorporate surreal elements.

Quinten Massys | Northern Renaissance painter

Quinten Massys, Massys also spelled Matsys, Metsys, or Messys, (born c. 1465/66, Leuven, Brabant [now in Belgium] - died 1530, Antwerp), Flemish artist, the first important painter of the Antwerp school.

Trained as a blacksmith in his native Leuven, Massys is said to have studied painting after falling in love with an artist’s daughter. In 1491 he went to Antwerp and was admitted into the painters’ guild.

Quinten Massys, Massys also spelled Matsys, Metsys, or Messys, (born c. 1465/66, Leuven, Brabant [now in Belgium] - died 1530, Antwerp), Flemish artist, the first important painter of the Antwerp school.

Trained as a blacksmith in his native Leuven, Massys is said to have studied painting after falling in love with an artist’s daughter. In 1491 he went to Antwerp and was admitted into the painters’ guild.

Wolfgang Kossuth (1947-2009) | Figurative sculptor

Wolfgang Alexander Kossuth was born in Pfronten, Germany. He is a painter, a sculptor, a violinist and an orchestra leader and he dedicated all hos life to art, join the passion for the music with the figurative arts one.

His artworks portray important people of the musical, literally and ballet background. He prefers sculpture because with it he expresses himself better. The human being is always the centre of the composition.

Wolfgang Alexander Kossuth was born in Pfronten, Germany. He is a painter, a sculptor, a violinist and an orchestra leader and he dedicated all hos life to art, join the passion for the music with the figurative arts one.

His artworks portray important people of the musical, literally and ballet background. He prefers sculpture because with it he expresses himself better. The human being is always the centre of the composition.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder | Life

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, also spelled Brueghel or Breughel, (1525-1569), the greatest Flemish painter of the 16th century, whose landscapes and vigorous, often witty scenes of peasant life are particularly renowned.

Since Bruegel signed and dated many of his works, his artistic evolution can be traced from the early landscapes, in which he shows affinity with the Flemish 16th-century landscape tradition, to his last works, which are Italianate.

He exerted a strong influence on painting in the Low Countries, and through his sons Jan and Pieter he became the ancestor of a dynasty of painters that survived into the 18th century.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, also spelled Brueghel or Breughel, (1525-1569), the greatest Flemish painter of the 16th century, whose landscapes and vigorous, often witty scenes of peasant life are particularly renowned.

Since Bruegel signed and dated many of his works, his artistic evolution can be traced from the early landscapes, in which he shows affinity with the Flemish 16th-century landscape tradition, to his last works, which are Italianate.

He exerted a strong influence on painting in the Low Countries, and through his sons Jan and Pieter he became the ancestor of a dynasty of painters that survived into the 18th century.

Sandro Botticelli | Lo stile pittorico

Lo stile del pittore Italiano Sandro Botticelli (Firenze, 1445-1510) subì diverse evoluzioni nel tempo, ma fondamentalmente mantenne alcuni tratti comuni che lo rendono tutt'oggi ben riconoscibile, anche nel vasto pubblico.

Gli input fondamentali della sua formazione artistica furono sostanzialmente tre: Filippo Lippi, Andrea del Verrocchio ed Antonio del Pollaiolo.

Lo stile del pittore Italiano Sandro Botticelli (Firenze, 1445-1510) subì diverse evoluzioni nel tempo, ma fondamentalmente mantenne alcuni tratti comuni che lo rendono tutt'oggi ben riconoscibile, anche nel vasto pubblico.

Gli input fondamentali della sua formazione artistica furono sostanzialmente tre: Filippo Lippi, Andrea del Verrocchio ed Antonio del Pollaiolo.

Giorgio Vasari | The life of Sandro Botticelli

At the same time with the elder Lorenzo'de Medici, the Magnificent, which was truly a golden age for men of intellect, there also flourished one Alessandro, called Sandro after our custom, and surnamed Di Botticello for a reason that we shall see below.

This man was the son of Mariano Filipeppi, a citizen of Florence, who brought him up with care, and had him instructed in all those things that are usually taught to children before they are old enough to be apprenticed to some calling.

But although he found it easy to learn whatever he wished, nevertheless he was ever restless, nor was he contented with any form of learning, whether reading, writing, or arithmetic, insomuch that his father, eary of the vagaries of his son's brain, in despair apprenticed him as a goldsmith with a boon-companion of his own, called Botticello, no mean master of that art in his day.

At the same time with the elder Lorenzo'de Medici, the Magnificent, which was truly a golden age for men of intellect, there also flourished one Alessandro, called Sandro after our custom, and surnamed Di Botticello for a reason that we shall see below.

This man was the son of Mariano Filipeppi, a citizen of Florence, who brought him up with care, and had him instructed in all those things that are usually taught to children before they are old enough to be apprenticed to some calling.

But although he found it easy to learn whatever he wished, nevertheless he was ever restless, nor was he contented with any form of learning, whether reading, writing, or arithmetic, insomuch that his father, eary of the vagaries of his son's brain, in despair apprenticed him as a goldsmith with a boon-companion of his own, called Botticello, no mean master of that art in his day.

Van Gogh | Holland Landscapes

"I can very well do without God both in my life and in my paintings, but I cannot, ill as I am, do without something which is greater than I, which is my life - the power to create" - Quote in his letter to brother Theo.

"I can very well do without God both in my life and in my paintings, but I cannot, ill as I am, do without something which is greater than I, which is my life - the power to create" - Quote in his letter to brother Theo.

Nicolas Poussin | Baroque Era painter

Nicolas Poussin, (born June 1594, Les Andelys, Normandy [France] - died November 19, 1665, Rome, Papal States [Italy]), French painter and draftsman who founded the French Classical tradition.

He spent virtually all of his working life in Rome, where he specialized in history paintings - depicting scenes from the Bible, ancient history, and mythology - that are notable for their narrative clarity and dramatic force.

Nicolas Poussin, (born June 1594, Les Andelys, Normandy [France] - died November 19, 1665, Rome, Papal States [Italy]), French painter and draftsman who founded the French Classical tradition.

He spent virtually all of his working life in Rome, where he specialized in history paintings - depicting scenes from the Bible, ancient history, and mythology - that are notable for their narrative clarity and dramatic force.

Aelbert Cuyp | Baroque Era painter

Aelbert Cuyp, in full Aelbert Jacobszoon Cuyp, Aelbert also spelled Albert, Cuyp also spelled Cuijp, (baptized October 20, 1620, Dordrecht, Netherlands - buried November 15, 1691, Dordrecht), Dutch painter** of the Baroque period** who is known for his peaceful landscapes of the Dutch countryside, distinguished for their poetic use of light and atmosphere.

Aelbert Cuyp, in full Aelbert Jacobszoon Cuyp, Aelbert also spelled Albert, Cuyp also spelled Cuijp, (baptized October 20, 1620, Dordrecht, Netherlands - buried November 15, 1691, Dordrecht), Dutch painter** of the Baroque period** who is known for his peaceful landscapes of the Dutch countryside, distinguished for their poetic use of light and atmosphere.

Van Gogh: "I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate"

"There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even-the French air clears up the brain and does good-a world of good".

"An artist needn't be a clergyman or a churchwarden, but he certainly must have a warm heart for his fellow men".

"The diseases that we civilized people labor under most are melancholy and pessimism".

"There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even-the French air clears up the brain and does good-a world of good".

"An artist needn't be a clergyman or a churchwarden, but he certainly must have a warm heart for his fellow men".

"The diseases that we civilized people labor under most are melancholy and pessimism".

Richard MacDonald, 1946 | Figurative sculptor

One of the most collected figurative bronze sculptors at work today, Richard MacDonald** has achieved this stature through a consuming passion for his work and an unrelenting dedication to its quality and integrity.

A native Californian, MacDonald was educated at the prestigious Art Center College of Design and received a Bachelor of Professional Arts, Cum Laude.

For biographical notes -in english and italian- and other works by MacDonald see:

• Richard MacDonald, 1946 | Figurative sculptor | Cirque du Soleil

One of the most collected figurative bronze sculptors at work today, Richard MacDonald** has achieved this stature through a consuming passion for his work and an unrelenting dedication to its quality and integrity.

A native Californian, MacDonald was educated at the prestigious Art Center College of Design and received a Bachelor of Professional Arts, Cum Laude.

For biographical notes -in english and italian- and other works by MacDonald see:

• Richard MacDonald, 1946 | Figurative sculptor | Cirque du Soleil

Henri Matisse's 148th Birthday

Today, Dec. 31, is the 148th anniversary of the birth of French painter🎨, printmaker and sculptor, Henri Matisse🎨, in full Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse, (born December 31, 1869, Le Cateau, Picardy, France - died November 3, 1954, Nice), artist often regarded as the most important French painter🎨 of the 20th century.

Today, Dec. 31, is the 148th anniversary of the birth of French painter🎨, printmaker and sculptor, Henri Matisse🎨, in full Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse, (born December 31, 1869, Le Cateau, Picardy, France - died November 3, 1954, Nice), artist often regarded as the most important French painter🎨 of the 20th century.

Joachim Patinir | Northern Renaissance painter

Joachim Patinir, in full Joachim de Patinir, Patinir also spelled Patinier or Patenier, (born c. 1485, Bouvignes or Dinan, Namur, Belgium - died October 5, 1524, Antwerp), Flemish painter**, the first Western artist known to have specialized in landscape painting.

Little is known of his early life, but his work reflects an early knowledge of the painting of Gerard David**, the last of the Early Netherlandish painters. He may have studied under Hiëronymus Bosch**, the painter of fantastic allegories and landscapes.

Joachim Patinir, in full Joachim de Patinir, Patinir also spelled Patinier or Patenier, (born c. 1485, Bouvignes or Dinan, Namur, Belgium - died October 5, 1524, Antwerp), Flemish painter**, the first Western artist known to have specialized in landscape painting.

Little is known of his early life, but his work reflects an early knowledge of the painting of Gerard David**, the last of the Early Netherlandish painters. He may have studied under Hiëronymus Bosch**, the painter of fantastic allegories and landscapes.

Van Gogh in Paris, 1886-1888 | Still Lifes

The two years that Van Gogh spent in Paris were of crucial importance for his development from painter in the Dutch Realist tradition to modern artist.

His encounter with the latest movement there had a profound impact on his work, although it was a gradual process rather than a abrupt break with what had gone before.

Vincent began experimenting with new styles like impressionism, Pointillism and Japonism.

As he gradually abandoned what he later called his Dutch palette of grey tones his paintings became increasingly luminous and colorful.

The two years that Van Gogh spent in Paris were of crucial importance for his development from painter in the Dutch Realist tradition to modern artist.

His encounter with the latest movement there had a profound impact on his work, although it was a gradual process rather than a abrupt break with what had gone before.

Vincent began experimenting with new styles like impressionism, Pointillism and Japonism.

As he gradually abandoned what he later called his Dutch palette of grey tones his paintings became increasingly luminous and colorful.

Francisco De Zurbarán | Il Caravaggio spagnolo

Zurbarán, Francisco- Pittore (Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz, 1598 - Madrid 1664). Fu l'artista che meglio seppe rappresentare la religiosità controriformista della Chiesa spagnola del 17° secolo.

Profondamente religioso, Z. rimase personalità singolare e appartata. Nella sua vasta produzione di soggetti sacri, le figure assurgono a simboli di intensa spiritualità (dipinti per il convento di S. Pablo el Real di Siviglia, commissionatigli nel 1626, ora sparsi in chiese e musei della città; serie delle sante, 1639-45, in vari musei europei). Nella fase finale della sua attività si dedicò alla natura morta, che rese in modi estremamente moderni.

Zurbarán, Francisco- Pittore (Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz, 1598 - Madrid 1664). Fu l'artista che meglio seppe rappresentare la religiosità controriformista della Chiesa spagnola del 17° secolo.

Profondamente religioso, Z. rimase personalità singolare e appartata. Nella sua vasta produzione di soggetti sacri, le figure assurgono a simboli di intensa spiritualità (dipinti per il convento di S. Pablo el Real di Siviglia, commissionatigli nel 1626, ora sparsi in chiese e musei della città; serie delle sante, 1639-45, in vari musei europei). Nella fase finale della sua attività si dedicò alla natura morta, che rese in modi estremamente moderni.

Van Gogh in Paris, 1886-1888

Vincent made his first visit to Paris in May 1873.

He spent a few days in the city, visiting museums and the headquarters of his employers, the international art dealers Goupil and Cie.

He then left for England to work in the firm’s London branch.

In autumn 1874, Goupil transferred him from London to Paris for two months.

Vincent made his first visit to Paris in May 1873.

He spent a few days in the city, visiting museums and the headquarters of his employers, the international art dealers Goupil and Cie.

He then left for England to work in the firm’s London branch.

In autumn 1874, Goupil transferred him from London to Paris for two months.

Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510)