Classical Academicism

It is not a secret that artists have been inspired by classical art when rendering their works. From Raphael’s The School of Athens (1511) to Jacques-Louis David’s Oath of Horatii (1784), the carefully composed moment just before an event takes place is captured by the artist. But there is classicism to be found between these two periods of art, that valued the symmetry and balance of the classical period: Baroque art. The drama of a moment or an event intended to be captured and immortalized through the use of color and light dominated paintings by the likes of Poussin, Vermeer and Rembrandt. Oil paintings built up in several transparent layers created glistening displays of landscape, portraits, architecture and everyday life revered now upon the walls of galleries and museums. Today, artists can be directly influenced by the classicism of the greats. Or, indeed, can be indirectly influenced using this reverence and widely identified tropes of great artists to add charm to their own work. In Artsper’s own selection of works, works like those of Diana Malivani are very widely exhibited whilst Mieke Jonker paints in oil, inspired by Rembrandt to create works of strong composition, harmonious colors and the endearing inclusion of her own signature – synonymous with great artists.