Western Painting - Classical Realism - American Elegant Ode to Artistry

Classical Realism - The Historyevolved form of American Impressionism.
Classical Realism was a sensational American artThe Details
movement of the late 20th century. This artIn Classical Realism, much importance is given to
style reigns supreme in its beauty and elegancethe artists' ability in presenting his subject in the
amongst its western contemporaries. The termmost attractive manner. Classical Realists choose
'Classical Realism' was first used in 1982, byconventional subjects, like human forms or
Richard Lack to label a traveling exhibition, whichlandscapes for their work. They avoided using
he put together along with the pupils of hisabstracts. Skillful artistry, impeccable life-like
studio-school Atelier Lack. The first venue for thisdepictions, and vibrant color harmonies are some
exhibition was at Springville Museum, Utah.of the typical features of Classical Realists'
Richard Lack was a student of the great Bostonpaintings. They created art for the sheer love of
Impressionists R.H. Ives Gammel. He trained aart and would not let politics or commercialization
considerable group of young painters at his Atelier.influence their work. They never sacrificed the
He formed The American Society of Classicalaesthetics of art in the name of originality or
Realism in 1989, where he, his students, and otherModernism. Most Classical Realists would produce
art connoisseurs came together to promoteart based on simple observation or memory.
Classical Realism. They published Classical RealismThey aspired to produce paintings from personal
Quarterly and other journals to introduce thisexperiences and refrained from using any sort of
brilliant art form and increase its awareness.records (like drawings or photos) of their subjects.
The CorrelationsThe Artists & the Artworks
It can be said that Classical Realism is aJean Leon Gerome is considered as one of the
combination of Classicism, Realism, andforemost Classical Realist. One of his most
Impressionism. The genre consisted offamous works is 1872's Pollice Verso. Apart from
representational art forms that boast about theRichard Lack, the other Classical Realists were
academic teachings and principles of theWilliam Paxton, Anthony Ryder, Jacob Collins,
conventional European art schools along with anMichael John Angel, and Charles. H. Cecil.