William-Adolphe Bouguereau

William-Adolphe Bouguereau was popular in the USA and in his own life, The French painter was well-known for his focus on the female form. His work included reinterpretations of myths into more modern times.
At 14 he’d undertaken studies in the priesthood where he learned to paint and draw, but dropped out, choosing to become an artist.
He was very successful, creating more than 820 paintings in his lifetime, though critics suggested that he adapted his painting style to suit the tastes of the buying public.
Quote: “Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness, I can scarcely wait for the next morning to come… if I cannot give myself to my dear painting I am miserable.”
Vicki Nunn
July 29, 2019
Artist's Profile or Quotefemale form, French, myths into modern times, painter, painting, priesthood, successful, USA, William-Adolphe Bouguereau
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Leonardo da Vinci

Quote by Leonardo da Vinci: “Painting is poetry which is seen and not heard, and poetry is a painting which is heard but not seen.
Vicki Nunn
July 29, 2019
Artist's Profile or Quoteartist, inventer, leonardo da vinci, painter, painting, poetry
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Francisco Goya

Francisco Goya: was one of the most important Spanish artists of his time, known for his prints, his portraits and his romantic paintings. He’s often referred to as both one of the last of the Old Masters, as well as one of the first of the Modern Masters.
Vicki Nunn
March 29, 2019
Artist's Profile or Quoteartist, Francisco Goya, Modern Masters, Old Masters, painter, painting, portraits, romantic paintings, spain, Spanish
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George Frederick Watts

Quote by George Frederick Watts: “I paint ideas, not things. My intention is less to paint works that are pleasing to the eye than to suggest great thoughts which will speak to the imagination and the heart, and will arouse all that is noblest and best in man.”
Vicki Nunn
January 29, 2019
Artist's Profile or Quoteartist, George Frederick Watts, great thoughts, imagination, painter, painting
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Franz Marc

Quote: “Art has always been and is in its very essence the boldest departure from nature. It is the bridge into the spirit world.”
Vicki Nunn
November 29, 2018
Artist's Profile or Quoteartist, boldest departure, Franz Marc, nature, painter, painting, spirit world
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Artemisia Gentileschi

At a time when it was difficult for women artists to be recognised and accepted, Gentileschi had to fight other negative attitudes such as the claim that her first major painting at 17, was accomplished with the aid of her famous father, painter Orazio Gentileschi.
Strong women were a feature of her work, and of the 57 of her paintings, 94% were of this nature.
While there were several other talented artists before her, she was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence.
Vicki Nunn
September 29, 2018
Artist's Profile or QuoteAccademia di, Arte del Disegno, Artemisia Gentileschi, artist, Florence, Italy, Orazio Gentileschi, painter, painting, strong woman, strong women
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Artist: Jeong Seon

He was one of Korea’s most famous painters, known for his realistic landscape works. Born to a poor family, it wasn’t until he was in his 40s before his talent was recognised, after which he gained a position in the court. He was a prolific painter until his death in his early 80s.
Vicki Nunn
July 29, 2018
Artist's Profile or Quoteartists, Jeong Seon, Korea, landscapes, painter, painting, poor family
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Frederic Leighton

Quote by Frederic Leighton: “…true genius knows no hurry, that patience is of its essence, and thoroughness its constant mark.”
Vicki Nunn
May 29, 2018
Artist's Profile or Quoteartist, Frederic Leighton, genius, painter, painting, patience constant mark, sculptor, sculpture
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JMW Turner

Quote by JMW Turner: “My business is to paint what I see, not what I know is there.”
Vicki Nunn
March 29, 2018
Artist's Profile or QuoteJmw Turner, painter, painting
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John Constable

Quote by John Constable: “When I sit down to make a sketch from nature, the first thing I try to do is to forget that I have ever seen a picture.”
Vicki Nunn
January 29, 2018
Artist's Profile or Quotecathedral, church, John Constable, nature, painter, painting, rural scene
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