Before photography, hyperrealism was important because people wanted records of events, possessions, and ceremonies.There was only one way to accomplish that goal - hire an artist. (17th Century Flemish paintings)
Since photography came into its own in the late 1800s, artists were free to paint in more abstract manners. The movement that comes to mind as exemplifying this freedom was Impressionism.
Yet, today, there are certain artists who paint works that are referred to as "photorealism." They are so technically masterful that often the question arises, "Is that a photo or a painting?"
There have been several recent articles written about visual artists who paint photorealistically (hyperrealism). The thrust of these articles is to ask the question, "What's the point? "
Those who disagree that photography has replaced hyperrealistic painting insist that a photograph cannot capture what the hand of a painter can do - greater depth of field, understanding of nature, combinations of real and imagined.
Below are the works of three well-known photorealistic painters. The question is: Where do you think? Would it be just as well to take a photo? (click on image to enlarge)
Roberto Bernardi: (Oils)
Steve Mills: (Oils)
Eric Christensen: (Watercolor)
(He also has a video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?disv=RNKk9G-Yzjk)
Yet, today, there are certain artists who paint works that are referred to as "photorealism." They are so technically masterful that often the question arises, "Is that a photo or a painting?"
There have been several recent articles written about visual artists who paint photorealistically (hyperrealism). The thrust of these articles is to ask the question, "What's the point? "
Those who disagree that photography has replaced hyperrealistic painting insist that a photograph cannot capture what the hand of a painter can do - greater depth of field, understanding of nature, combinations of real and imagined.
Below are the works of three well-known photorealistic painters. The question is: Where do you think? Would it be just as well to take a photo? (click on image to enlarge)
Roberto Bernardi: (Oils)
Steve Mills: (Oils)
Eric Christensen: (Watercolor)
It is hard to tell that those are paintings - maybe if they're seen in person. They obviously have technical mastery, but I prefer a little bit more of a painterly look. Joan P.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to verbalize why photorealism is so engaging... it seems miraculous that someone could do that with their hands. And something about color and light that magnify beauty that happens through an artists hands..
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful sentiment. There is a kind of magic to these paintings, isn't there?
DeleteIt's ironic, now that photos are being manipulated to look like something else, maybe the photorealism is the more accurate version. I am in awe of an artist's ability to create such "real-looking" images with paint and brush. sz
ReplyDeleteAlways. Exploration of all and any expression is invaluable to living. Susan K.
ReplyDeleteyes. In life they are amazing to look at! Louise P.
ReplyDeleteYES...because you can see the amazing talent the artist has in capturing and rendering the subject in the most realistic way possible...Janis P.
ReplyDeleteAnd ... yes, it is completely realistic, but the artist's eye sees things differently than does a camera. There is some selection and editing involved, and you still get that direct human vision. That's not to say that I'm not in awe of the photographer's art, because I am ... but it would be a sad loss if we didn't have this tight realism in painting. Ellen M.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really beautiful painting! I'm on the other side of art (figure model) and love to watch the process. IMO some photographic images have no depth of feeling yet a painting like this makes one feel a lot.Mariamma
ReplyDeleteSome of these paintings are really quite astoundingly realistic. Amazing. Thank you, R! Roka
ReplyDeleteI certainly appreciate those artists who can create such work,all though it's not personally my thing. The comment about the "human touch" I emphatically agree with. Norman D.
ReplyDeleteI look for the "thumbprint" of the artist. Energy. Angst. Emotion , aka., brushstrokes. Very important for me to connect. Pauline
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ReplyDeleteIf the goal is reproduction for a print or an advertising application it would sometimes be cheaper and faster to use photography and digital manipulation to get similar results. A hand made painting is much more interesting as an art object.
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