R.B. Kitaj was an American artist who championed figuration in the aftermath of expressionism. Kitaj was an influential figure in the London art scene and was intimate with Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon, coining the term “London School” for this group. His art was unabashedly erudite and often accompanied with explanatory obscure texts that many critics saw as a testament to the artist’s egoism.
The art of Kitaj is characterized by his insatiable intellect and excellent draughtsmanship. The art critic Robert Hughes wrote that “[he] draws better than almost anyone else alive.” His works are preoccupied with history and attempt to make the viewer aware of the historical reality of their situation. Kitaj linked past to present with a sometimes overwhelming array of references to paintings by artists such as Motherwell, Van Gogh, Degas, Cezanna and Michelangelo and the writings of figures ranging from Frakz Kafka to mystics such as Ramon Lull and philosophers like Erasmus and Nietzsche. His travels in Europe shortly after WWII had a profound influence on his “Jewishness” and his art.
Read more about Kitaj on the original post here. Check it out.
There’s a lot of illuminating information on this page.
Cecil Court, London W.C.2. (The Refugees) 1983-4 R.B. Kitaj 1932-2007 Purchased 1985 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T04115
“I have no idea how to finish a picture… I don’t see any reason why you should finish a picture, for instance, because I’m not finished with my life I see no reason why I should be finished with a picture.” – Ronald Kitaj
Below: 3 minute video of Kitaj interviewed in his studio, cuts off a bit at the end, but still lovely. https://youtu.be/0VpkLS1Baxo Below: 10 minute video showing still images of Kitaj’s paintings. Some great paintings, some just meh, and some are absolutely awful. It’s as if the video maker went into Kitaj’s studio and gathered up whatever was on the walls, the tables, and in the garbage bin, then displayed them all equally. Fantastic!
Doorzien – a Dutch word translated as “to see through.” In dutch art, doorzien referred to a painting that showed a view from one room into another, making the picture especially beautiful. I wish I knew what movie it was, but some time long ago I was in a college film class. The instructor showed us …
[image_with_animation image_url=”9194″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] In the 1600’s, wood was a limited resource in the Dutch Republic (now the Netherlands), so artists either switched to canvas, or scavenged for wood panels. Rembrandt painted some of his works on mahogany panels from used shipping containers, still with the label and handles on the back. Info …
On January 6 I posted a challenge that was inspired by John Oliver on Last Week Tonight. The challenge was to imagine what Julius Pringles looks like below the neck. We had so many fun submissions that I felt they deserved to be in their own collection. Here they are, in their crispy glory, starting …
I’ll be sharing my drawings on Facebook. I’d love for you to share yours too. Maybe we’ll get some people jumping in to join us. Post your pics on the Seattle Artist League‘s Facebook, or Instagram at SeattleArtLeague. #drawingaday #seattleartleague
R. B. Kitaj
R. B. Kitaj
1932 – 2007
Edited from https://artbios.net/5-en.html
R.B. Kitaj was an American artist who championed figuration in the aftermath of expressionism. Kitaj was an influential figure in the London art scene and was intimate with Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon, coining the term “London School” for this group. His art was unabashedly erudite and often accompanied with explanatory obscure texts that many critics saw as a testament to the artist’s egoism.
The art of Kitaj is characterized by his insatiable intellect and excellent draughtsmanship. The art critic Robert Hughes wrote that “[he] draws better than almost anyone else alive.” His works are preoccupied with history and attempt to make the viewer aware of the historical reality of their situation. Kitaj linked past to present with a sometimes overwhelming array of references to paintings by artists such as Motherwell, Van Gogh, Degas, Cezanna and Michelangelo and the writings of figures ranging from Frakz Kafka to mystics such as Ramon Lull and philosophers like Erasmus and Nietzsche. His travels in Europe shortly after WWII had a profound influence on his “Jewishness” and his art.
Read more about Kitaj on the original post here. Check it out.
There’s a lot of illuminating information on this page.
Below: 3 minute video of Kitaj interviewed in his studio, cuts off a bit at the end, but still lovely. https://youtu.be/0VpkLS1Baxo Below: 10 minute video showing still images of Kitaj’s paintings. Some great paintings, some just meh, and some are absolutely awful. It’s as if the video maker went into Kitaj’s studio and gathered up whatever was on the walls, the tables, and in the garbage bin, then displayed them all equally. Fantastic!
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