Iconic Photography

A key painter of the late 20th century and an emblematic figure of the “Bad Painting" movement in 1980s America, Jean-Michel Basquiat is considered to be one of the pioneers of street art. He died on the 12th August 1988, after injecting himself with a fatal dose of “speedball" (a mix of heroin and cocaine). His death was a devastating loss for the art world given his glory and talent. But even only 8 years, Jean Michel Basquiat left behind an incredible catalog of artwork including more than a thousand paintings and eight thousand drawings. Accompanied by his friend, Al Diaz, Basquiat's graffiti career begins in the streets. His famous acronym “SAMO" (same old shit) was present across the walls of New York, highlighting the difficult beginning to his career. Without a fixed address, he sold drawings and t-shirts to support himself financially, before mixing with the New York elite which includes his faithful friend Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Madonna, and Blondie.There are a multitude of influences in Basquiat's work, including his black and Hispanic background, games from his childhood and images of the streets and surrounding buildings. His art is also influenced by mythology, voodoo, the Bible, and the comics and cartoons he devoured as a child. As a contemporary to Pop art's master Andy Warhol, he also makes references to advertising, consumption, or the media. Like many other artistic prodigies, Basquiat was sensitive and neurotic. With regards to his pictorial style, he expresses his feelings through his paintings which vary between representations of gaunt portraits, mask-like faces, and paintings filled with falsely imperfect drawings.Whether it's in the works of recognized or emerging artists, references to Basquiat are very much present in contemporary art. Here are some artists who know how to pay tribute to the master of Bad Painting.

Love or loathe it, Fall is truly a treat for the senses. Its arrival brings in a refreshing breeze after a long hot summer, where the nights begin to shorten until there are no leaves left on the trees. In art, Fall often represents the notions of decline and rebirth, illustrated by the falling of the leaves before new ones grow. The season is a recurring theme throughout art history. It has inspired an endless number of artists with its rich chromatic range. With colours ranging from oak brown to forest green through to bright vermilion and mustard yellow, it's a chance to capture the shades of nature. Thanks to its glowing hues and golden light, Fall is often considered the prettiest season of the year.There are many interpretations of Fall, which vary according to artists and periods. Fall is not only the representation of glowing landscapes. It is also presented in the unexpected form of portraits such as Arcimboldo's Autumn from 1573 or in still life pieces with seasonal fruits and autumnal symbols such as apples, chestnuts, squash and dead leaves as seen in Chardin's The Olive Jar. Fall is also a bountiful source of inspiration for interior design, replicating the light and atmosphere of the season. From the Nabis artists to the Impressionists, Symbolists and Naturalists, Fall in the 19th and 20th centuries was depicted in all its forms, allegory, landscape and pastoral scenes... The season has not lost its allure, as Fall is still a popular subject amongst contemporary artists, whether they work in watercolour, acrylic, collage or photography. The acquisition of autumnally themed artwork is always a good move as it allows for changes in decorations over the course of the year so that your interior matches the atmosphere of the season. Find the style of artwork that suits you and your home, Artsper offers a selection of large and small format Fall artworks that will make you forget that Winter is coming.

The seasons are a well-known source of inspiration in the history of art, and Winter, with its white landscapes and feelings of nostalgia it is no exception. As early as the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance, artists from Northern countries liked to depict Winter scenes. They painted everyday landscapes covered with snow, nature trapped beneath ice, men facing freezing temperatures, and children having fun on ice rinks. The Impressionists used oil paint to play with color in their works of art. The iridescent blue strongly characterizes their paintings and gives their works a recognizable yet distorted sense of reality. Claude Monet's famous masterpiece The Magpie marks the beginning of Impressionism. Winter is for Monet, the contrast between the bright and blurred aspects of the landscape. Winter also evokes the great snow-covered plains of Russia, where it appears no living being can survive because the air is so dry and freezes the bones. Birch trees are camouflaged in the snowfields, yet sometimes a ray of sunshine softens the bleak expanse and warms our hearts. Sunset at the Stream by Russian artist Yuriy Demiyanov is a testament to this, depicting a frozen stream where the water no longer flows and is stopped by snow. The trees are bare and seem to be at the mercy of the wind. Snow covers the whole landscape, yet does not sparkle on the branches of the trees. However, the orange and red tones of the setting sun warm the canvas and take away the dreary impression that the landscape takes on after the effects of the cold. Man's gaze never tires of icy landscapes and snowy cities. Hence why photography is also a popular means of immortalizing wintery scenes. A favored subject choice of Mark Fisher is mountains, a terrain he knows particularly well. The inhospitable climates he has faced have led him to title one of his photographs of a mountain peak Sympathy for the Devil. On the other hand, photography can also bring out all the softness and poetry that emanates from this winter whiteness. The artist Christian Girard reflects this in one of his pictures of snow and its forms, named Tenderness. Finally, the themes of Winter are above all whiteness, the cold, absence and minimalism, which are also highly prevalent in contemporary art. Discover our selection by young contemporary artists and recognized talents, of sculpture, paintings and photography... there is something for everyone! 

Quirky, sanitised, hopeful or nihilistic, destroyed by nature or coldly technological, what if this selection was representing our near future? Here are the artists who are thinking ahead of their time!

Here we go, it's finally the summer vacation, and we couldn't be happier for this well-deserved break. It's the perfect time to discover new horizons, escape from the dreary daily routine and enjoy long sunny evenings, midnight dips... Poetic, summer a season for making memories and everytime it comes around we want it to last forever.So why not make your summer last all year round with some art? Paintings of beautiful beaches or photographs of endless seas make the perfect getaway for escaping rainy days and rushed morning. Book a ticket with Artsper and get on board an all-inclusive tour of some of the most radiant contemporary artworks.First on our list,  French photographer Charles Xelot travels the world with the aim of capturing the perfect shot. Let yourself be carried away to his mystical forests, his photographs' main subject. As for Marcos Zrihen, a Spanish painter, he focuses on wide-open spaces, especially deserts, where the small characters he paints are enhanced by the projection of their immense shadows. Bethany Harper Williams, an American painter, immortalises our sunny days at the beach with her radiant paintings. Similarly, Dutch photographer Joost Wensveen plays with the superposition of photographs; his seaside resort photographs won't fail to bring you back to your cherished summer memories. Finally, Eric Zener is a photorealistic artist and American autodidact, fascinated by water and more particularly man's relationship to it.Associated with happiness and idleness, it isn't surprising that artists find inspiration in the whimsical sensations of summer. By recreating them in their art, they make our beloved season last forever. With Artsper, travel through stunning trails and explore beautiful landscapes you might see on your way to your holiday destination… Have a nice trip!

The concept of the American dream is the idea that anyone who came to work in the United States could. This could be achieved through hard work, courage, and determination, which would in turn lead to a happy and prosperous life.Historian James Truslow Adams used this for the first time in 1931. Although having expressed the concept of the American Dream in his work "The Epic of America", the idea already appeared in the 16th century during the time of American colonization by England. The merits of the new land were exaggeratedly praised to encourage the English to leave for the Americas to become settlers. However, those who attempted the migratory adventure and set out to conquer American soil often found living conditions difficult upon their arrival.On July 4, 1776, the representatives of the colonies met in Philadelphia and proclaimed the independence of the United States. They adopted the Declaration of Independence which affirms in particular that all men have the inherent right to “the pursuit of happiness", thus reaffirming the American Dream, which goes beyond mere utopia. Among all the symbols of the American Dream, the most attractive and the most important is the Statue of Liberty. For a long time, it was the first image that immigrants had of America upon arriving at Ellis Island.Thanks to the industrial revolution, the American Dream was the embodiment of diversity from emigrants who returned to invest in their country of origin. Consequently, America's social reality caused the disillusion of many immigrants. This concept has been, and remains, one of the main drivers of the migratory flow to the United States.With its ongoing popularity and constant social spotlight, the United States is a symbol of superpower and success. They relentlessly spread a culture of mass consumption. Until you can visit the United States, Artsper offers you an overview of artists and artworks inspired by American culture. Revel in our selection of contrasting visions, between dream and reality! 

The use of colour, repetition and pattern makes these works fascinating, almost hypnotic...

December is the month of celebrations and good times with friends or family where merriment reigns supreme. It's also the end of year festivities: 3 - 2 - 1, Happy New Year! The usual countdown to New Year's Eve ends at the stroke of midnight in an explosion of cotillion. Make way for festivities by celebrating the new year with dignity. Whether you prefer champagne, glitter and fireworks under the city lights or a friendly atmosphere around a family dinner away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Artsper offers you a selection of festive, colorful and warm works where dancing, joie de vivre and good humor are the order of the day!Start the year on the right foot with Artsper and adopt good resolutions: this year, it's time to be happy, so treat yourself and buy a piece of art.

Gold, forever considered one of the world's most precious metals, has fascinated us throughout the ages. Its radiant light and energy have become symbols of power, wealth and beauty. Moreover, this precious metal has the advantage of being malleable and resistant, almost imperishable, making it an ideal medium to work with. Despite its rarity, artists have been using gold since time immemorial. Indeed, from Agamemnon's mask in ancient Egypt to Klimt's The Kiss, the history of art is paved with gold. Even as far back as the 12th century, the background of Giotto's altarpiece of the Virgin and Child was covered with yellow gold, representing the divine light that exists within the subjects. Nevertheless, gold is not only a symbol of power, it also inspires passion and spirituality. The spiritual dimension of this precious metal originates from the ancient Egyptians who associated gold with the sun and consequently to the god Ra. The glowing metal was later found in the golden skies of Byzantine icons and Baroque churches, and the halos of their saints. Similarly, in Asia, gold has always played a prominent role in the decoration of sacred art. Gold works very often represent Buddhist deities and beings. Artists used either gold leaf or gold paint, in varying techniques, according to the desired light effect. The use of gold then became more discreet until its reappearance in the 19th century, particularly in sculpture. One of the most famous artists noted for his Midas touch, is Gustav Klimt, a master of the material, who produced a series of gold-leaf paintings during what would become known as his 'Golden Cycle', which are among the most beloved of his works. In 2006, his painting Adèle Bloch-Bauer I fetched $135 million and in the same year a set of five gilded works sold for over $327 million. Yves Klein, better known for his blue works, discovered the art of gilding while working for a framer in 1949. Ten years later, this material appeared in his monochrome works, the Monogolds. These canvases covered in thin gold leaves, delicately layered on top of each other, reveal that gold alone is enough to transform an object into a work of art. In the form of currency, gold is a promise of eternal wealth. In terms of its use in art, Klein says that gold 'permeates the painting and gives it eternal life'. So gold isn't only traded on the financial market. If you are not ready to try your luck on the stock market or if the price of gold seems too volatile, Artsper has selected works of art for you that are worth their weight in gold!

Love is undoubtedly a favorite theme of many artists; it is a concept that defies all reason and prompts profound feelings of passion. Art is the voice for the loss of words we experience when stood in front of our one true love. It allows us to express those unexplainable feelings at the depths of our soul. Whether through joy or sadness, humour or pain, contemporary artists use the nuanced fluctuations in love to experiment within their creations. Often using their bodies in performance, they seek to encapsulate the intensity of a loving relationship.Love is a very common theme in the history of contemporary art, and this is partly due to the fact that there are infinite possibilities for artists to represent desire and the body. Contemporary artist, Louise Bourgeois, translates the intimacy of the body in her work Couple, where she depicts two intertwined figures suspended by an invisible cord. The subjects' faces are concealed, allowing the viewer to freely interpret the inner emotions of the pair. However, the position of the couple also alludes to the complexity of relationships, as they appear to be pulling away from one another. The sculpture has been made out of toweling, patched together in an attempt to mend the areas ripped, torn and broken by love.Artist couple, Maria Abramovic and Ulay have heavily explored the power of love when faced with conflict. In their performance Relation in Time, the two artists evoke their attachment to one another by literally attaching themselves together by their hair. They remain back-to-back for 17 hours, testing their love against time. However, when their hair begins to undo could this be interpreted as a sign that their relationship is also unravelling? Does their loosening hair symbolise the end of their desire and passion? In a Relation in Time, the couple invade the scene with their naked bodies, racing against one another until they have no strength left to give. With their bodies shocked and love exhausted, the forced tenderness of their embrace could not save their relationship from the potency of conflict.Love is a never-ending source of inspiration for artists, and even now we still seek alternative ways to capture what it means. Falling in love remains difficult to understand or express, yet art allows an easier and more poetic means of getting at least halfway there. Whether it's damning or sacred, fraternal or marital, love unifies eras, souls and nationalities.Dive into the heart of our selection and find the work that says “I love you" to your one true love.

Brighten up you home with our selection of artworks inspired by the springtime! You'll find blossoming flowers, joyful greens and a multitude of other colours. 

Some may remember the fresco that Diego Rivera painted on commission for the Rockefeller family in 1933, which was completely destroyed in 1934 as it depicted Trotsky, Marx, Lenin and other communist figures right in the very heart of the temple of capitalism: the Rockefeller Center. This incident remains a significant example of intolerance in the history of art, but also one of bold artistic commitment. Art is unfortunately not exempt from the discrimination that is prevalent in Western society. The scarcity of female artists presented at FIAC was disguised by the presentation of a few female 'stars', almost, but not quite, enough to make us forget their under-representation in the exhibitions. This issue is also highly prevalent at other artistic events, such as the Avignon Festival, which in 2018 was criticized for its poor representation of female directors.Beyond this, a real cultural barrier exists in the understanding, acceptance and promotion of certain artists, particularly artists of African descent, and all the more so when they find themselves at the intersection of several minority groups: of race, gender or sexual orientation. The artists concerned are at the heart of issues surrounding cultural diversity and diverging creative perspectives. This is the case, for example, for Estelle Prudent, whose work, too often invisible, led to an exhibition being vandalized in Paris in 2018. Similarly, this is an issue faced by Samuel Cueto, whose photographs highlight queer, transgender and tattooed subjects in disreputable, underground environments in the suburbs of major Thai cities.The militant commitment of these artists, combined with their obvious passion for their work, means these types of artistic projects are now increasingly being brought to the forefront of the contemporary art scene.This is where art bears a responsibility. More than any other medium, visual art is a force for representation and the proposal of new aesthetic values and cultural references.The power of contemporary art, and particularly photography, is to take into account both the artist and the subject. The mutual creation that emerges in an image is the result of a collaboration, or even a clash, between the artist's vision and that of the model. This is particularly striking in the photos of Marco Antonio Calvacanti, Lee Jeffries or James Sparshatt. Finally, art is a way of normalizing unorthodox images that tackle society's prejudices. A veiled woman smoking a cigarette, a shirtless nun, a couple of octogenarian lovers or an old lady casually smoking a cigar: all images that break taboos in a society still restricted by outdated conventions. Secularism, the abolition of stereotypes and the promotion of living together in harmony are subjects that artists can and must legitimately address. Their freedom of expression and experience of shared otherness are sources of inspiration for building a more just, tolerant and enlightened society.

Lightpainting, contrast, glare, shadows, mirrors,... Light is an limitless source of inspiration for artists. Light is what makes everything visible, it is what allows you to perceive forms and spaces, and is crucial in any artistic practice. Monet was obsessed with light, he used to rise up really early in order to catch the beautiful dawn.Discover our selection of artworks, paintings, sculptures, photographs which play with the light!

Mother's day is coming up! Make sure you plan ahead and start thinking of the perfect gift for your favourite woman. Explore our selection of beautiful and unique artworks. An artwork makes an original gift and its a great way of showing how much you care. 

Long neglected by the Western art world, contemporary African art is now at the forefront of the scene. This is a welcome revival, that attracts collectors from all over the world and finally allows African artists to gain their rightful recognition.In a climate of equal appreciation of all cultures, the opening of the art market to African culture was essential. However, it is sometimes difficult for African artists to take off without a means of momentum as institutional art events are rare on the continent. However, new technologies have changed this situation. They allow for the globalization of African art, which has become accessible to all while avoiding this problem. Numerous events of international scope also support this upsurge in contemporary African art, for instance the Biennale Dak'Art in Senegal, the CAPE (Contemporary African Culture) in South Africa, TACCA in Angola or the Meetings of Photography in Bamako, Mali.The photographs of the up and coming Nigerian-born artist Ebuka Michael reflect the stories of our times. His photographs are gifted with a rare aestheticism but also reflect an introspection and exploration of our world that is unique to the artist's vision. Thandiwe Muriu takes her inspiration from haute-couture aesthetics and Vogue magazines in order to produce vibrant pictures. The Kenyan artist's vision and stunning use of patterns echo her vocation as a committed and entrepreneurial woman. The Ouattara twins take up the codes of the ancient arts while adding a certain topicality to their works. By reproducing masks, their practice of sculpture is a blend of modernity and tradition. This new and exciting interest in African art is an initiative of new fairs, exhibitions and artistic practices. It is also of interest to promotional bodies, auction houses and famous museums. For example, the Fondation Cartier has devoted a magnificent exhibition, Beauté Congo, to contemporary Congolese artists. The Tate Modern exhibited the Ivorian artist Frédéric Bruly Bouabré. The Louis Vuitton Foundation organized a major exhibition of the Pigozzi collection and African art was honored at the Art Paris Fair in April 2017. Finally, the contemporary art and design fair AKAA, for Also Known As Africa, focused on Africa, was held at the Carreau du Temple in Paris. The 29 exhibitors presented all mediums including paintings, sculptures, works on textiles, digital arts, performances and photographs.Immerse yourself in the richness and diversity of the continent through Artsper's selection of African art and discover many African artists, each more creative than the last.