Genre art pictures scenes from everyday life, usually people doing something. According to the Academy systematization, genre painting is one of the types of paintings, together with history painting, portraiture, landscape, animal paining and still life. Figurative and genre art aren't synonyms, although they can both picture animal or human figures in different situations. Genre art is figuratism, while figuratism doesn't have to be genre art.
Figurative art is even easier to describe. It always refer to the real world, and presented themes should always be recognizable. Of course, artists can picture this real world on their unique way, and they don't have to follow any special principle. They use all imaginable techniques and materials, using shades, lines and colors to achieve different effects, volume or perspective.
Although figuratism may contain different simplifications of the form, especially when it comes to paintings, this type of art is basically representational rather than abstract. Generally it may be said that figurative may be applied to all art before abstract. Today, this term is mostly used to define any art form that isn't abstract. In short, if you can tell what it is, it is definitely figuratism.
This type of painting uses all types of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel or any other. The main subject is human figure, with or without clothes. Although all portraits are actually figuratism, different artists have different approach to the subject. Some of them are more focused on reality, while some rather describe moods and emotions.
The best example for this art-form is expressionism, but all other types can also be considered as figuratism, as long as they aren't abstract. For example, cubism. Although it belongs to abstract form, numerous artworks are actually figurative. Picasso is the best example for this. Although his artworks can sometimes be really distorted, you can still recognize the main subject. There are no special limitations.
As you can see, there are some extremes in this categorization. On one side you will find something barely recognizable, while there is other extreme as well, for example photo realism. If you check Picasso's artworks, some of his works are very good examples for this. His woman looks really distorted, yes, but you can certainly recognize her as a woman. So, it is figuratism, although the cubism is actually abstract art.
Numerous contemporary artists represent different approaches to figuratism. Some of the most interesting ones are John Currin and Jenny Saville, for example. If you would like to explore the world of modern figurative artists, make sure to check the work of Hollis Dunlap, Johan Van Mullem, Marlene Dumas, Jas Knight, Gillian Carnegie and numerous other interesting artists.
Twentieth century was not very good period for figuratism. Abstract art forms and different avant-garde movements were just about everywhere. Luckily, in the eighties, figuratism was re-discovered. John Currin is one of the most popular representatives of this new age. Interested in real arts, not in changing or improving something perfect. It would be hard to improve Titian or Michelangelo. The point is to offer valuable art that reflects the world that exists today.
Figurative art is even easier to describe. It always refer to the real world, and presented themes should always be recognizable. Of course, artists can picture this real world on their unique way, and they don't have to follow any special principle. They use all imaginable techniques and materials, using shades, lines and colors to achieve different effects, volume or perspective.
Although figuratism may contain different simplifications of the form, especially when it comes to paintings, this type of art is basically representational rather than abstract. Generally it may be said that figurative may be applied to all art before abstract. Today, this term is mostly used to define any art form that isn't abstract. In short, if you can tell what it is, it is definitely figuratism.
This type of painting uses all types of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel or any other. The main subject is human figure, with or without clothes. Although all portraits are actually figuratism, different artists have different approach to the subject. Some of them are more focused on reality, while some rather describe moods and emotions.
The best example for this art-form is expressionism, but all other types can also be considered as figuratism, as long as they aren't abstract. For example, cubism. Although it belongs to abstract form, numerous artworks are actually figurative. Picasso is the best example for this. Although his artworks can sometimes be really distorted, you can still recognize the main subject. There are no special limitations.
As you can see, there are some extremes in this categorization. On one side you will find something barely recognizable, while there is other extreme as well, for example photo realism. If you check Picasso's artworks, some of his works are very good examples for this. His woman looks really distorted, yes, but you can certainly recognize her as a woman. So, it is figuratism, although the cubism is actually abstract art.
Numerous contemporary artists represent different approaches to figuratism. Some of the most interesting ones are John Currin and Jenny Saville, for example. If you would like to explore the world of modern figurative artists, make sure to check the work of Hollis Dunlap, Johan Van Mullem, Marlene Dumas, Jas Knight, Gillian Carnegie and numerous other interesting artists.
Twentieth century was not very good period for figuratism. Abstract art forms and different avant-garde movements were just about everywhere. Luckily, in the eighties, figuratism was re-discovered. John Currin is one of the most popular representatives of this new age. Interested in real arts, not in changing or improving something perfect. It would be hard to improve Titian or Michelangelo. The point is to offer valuable art that reflects the world that exists today.
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