A Bigger Splash is one of David Hockney’s most iconic works, combining his fascination with California in the 1960’s with his investigation of the relationship between painting and performance. In this article, Singulart investigates Hockney’s famous painting in the context of the artist’s career and the artistic landscape of the late twentieth century. Who is David Hockney? Born in Bradford,…
Art History
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The Hunter (Catalan Landscape) is one of Joan Miró’s first works in his mature, Surrealist style. It exemplifies his use of automatism, or the use of his subconscious, to create paintings that conjure up a realm between dream and reality, on the edge of abstraction and figuration, in order to open new potentials in painting. In this article, Singulart decodes…
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The iconic landscape painting Hadleigh Castle shows a departure from the idyllic country scenes usually favored by John Constable. Following a period of great changes in Constable’s life – the death of his wife Maria and his election to the Royal Academy – Hadleigh Castle shows us a dilapidated, ruined structure, set off by the thundering clouds in the sky.…
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Black on Maroon is an uncharacteristically dark piece by acclaimed modern artist Mark Rothko. Famous for his ‘multiforms’, where colorful rectangles are layered on a canvas, almost blending into the luminous background, Black on Maroon reflects a more somber period of Rothko’s art. The painting has a convoluted history; originally created as part of a series to hang in the…
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Max Ernst’s The Elephant Celebes is a renowned work of early Surrealism and exemplifies Ernst’s combination of Surrealist atmosphere with the influence of Dada and collage techniques. In this article, Singulart takes a look at Max Ernst’s life and career and analyses the meaning and the techniques behind The Elephant Celebes. Who was Max Ernst? Max Ernst (1891-1976) was a…
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No. 61 (Rust and Blue) is an example of Mark Rothko’s famous multiform artworks, yet also heralded an important step in the Color Field movement. Rothko’s works were infamous for creating an almost religious experience for viewers, but how exactly did these rectangular blocks achieve this goal? In this article Singulart will be exploring the question of why Rothko’s art…
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Botticelli’s seminal painting The Birth of Venus is considered one of the world’s most stunning works of art. The painting also has a rich history tied to the Renaissance and the vectors of political power that governed Italy during this time period. In this article, Singulart breaks down Botticelli’s painting from all angles. We take a close look at the…
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Johannes Vermeer’s enigmatic, mysterious Girl With a Pearl Earring has captivated viewers since its creation in 1655. Known as the “Mona Lisa of the North”, the enigmatic subject of the painting has been debated for hundreds of years. Who was the girl with a pearl earring and what makes this painting so extraordinary? The Life of Johannes Vermeer Johannes Vermeer…
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The Annunciation is one of the earliest works attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci and exemplifies many of the characteristics of his developing style. In this article, Singulart takes a closer look at this early work and at the stellar career which gave Leonardo Da Vinci the reputation of the definitive Renaissance Man. Who was Leonardo Da Vinci? Leonardo da Vinci…
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Lady with an Ermine is one of four portraits of women painted by Leonardo Da Vinci during his career and demonstrates his expertise in capturing the details of the human form. In this article, Singulart investigates Da Vinci’s life as well as that of the painting’s subject. Who was Leonardo Da Vinci? Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian polymath…
