Lost Art from Ancient Greece and Rome

Museum shows across Europe invite us to discover lost Ancient Greek and Roman art and retrieve it through some of the most powerful exhibitions seen so far.

ancient rome

Must See Museums: 10 of Europe's Best Kept Secret Museums - With 2 Greek Entries

Must see museums is not as simple as you think. This is why one of Canada's largest and most prestigious travel guides issued a top 10 of the "Best Hidden" Museums in Europe, including two Greek ones!

art

True Colors: Exhibition Gives Antiquities Their Shades Back

Unlike what we learned to believe, Greece and Rome's masterpieces were originally full of color. Time and exposure to the elements gradually transformed the once multicolored marbles to the white surfaces we know, which impressed art aficionados during the Renaissance. In the 18th century, the German art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann -often considered as the father of Art History-  included whiteness as one of Classical Art's leading virtues.

colors

The Mystery of Cycladic Figurines

Little is known about the people living in the small islands of central Aegean we now called the Cyclades c. 4.000 years ago. Beginning their life in small -and at times fortified- settlements, sailing the sea during their short lifetime, buried in humble graves upon their death, and with no written records to reveal their way of thinking, these islanders'  thoughts, hopes, and dreams remain a mystery. Only silent witness to this lost world's "mind" is the enormous number of marble statues from the Islands, whose minimal design links the ancient to the modern and is considered as the beginning of European art.

figurines & statues

The Lasting Influence of Nature to Jewelry

Nature has always been the primary influence for artists across the globe. The shapes, colors, and movement of plants and animals become the archetype for perfection. 

Art uses a thousand shapes of nature as symbols and tokens of a world everybody aspires to be connected. And what better way to turn the ideal into a personal story than wearing it.

This is where jewelry comes forward. 

Discover the lasting influence of nature to jewelry through a handful of all-time classic pieces where eternal motifs -a cicada, a turtle, a tree, a snake- are rediscovered to give a fresh twist to any style. 

https://greecs.com/blog/the-lasting-influence-of-nature-to-jewelry/ 

silver

George Zongolopoulos: The famous artist that you should be aware ofThe art industry welcomes everyday more and more ambitious artists, that hope to create something new thanks to their talent and passion. Though, there are some people already established in the world of art that their work is point of reference for the younger generations. One of these people is the famous artist George Zongolopoulos. The Greek sculptor is well-known not only in Greece, but also abroad as one of the most important artists and representatives of the so called “Generation of 1930s”. Let’s get to know a little bit more about this artist, his work and how you can get familiar with his art.

The art industry welcomes everyday more and more ambitious artists, that hope to create something new thanks to their talent and passion. Though, there are some people already established in the world of art that their work is point of reference for the younger generations. One of these people is the famous artist George Zongolopoulos. The Greek sculptor is well-known not only in Greece, but also abroad as one of the most important artists and representatives of the so called “Generation of 1930s”. Let’s get to know a little bit more about this artist, his work and how you can get familiar with his art.

Met Gala 2018 Was All About Religious Glamour. Will you embrace it?

Met Gala 2018 was all about religious glamour. As the world’s greatest stars parade in costumes inspired by Christian liturgical art for Met Gala 2018, religious glamour comes to the foreground of fashion and aesthetics, becoming the trend of the moment.

5 + 1 stunning art projects influenced by the Pop Art movement

 What’s exactly the power of Pop Art that for more than six decades keeps inspiring artists? Let’s have a look at the most stunning art projects influenced by Pop Artthat are worth to know!

Roy Lichtenstein

Japanese Calligraphy, Shodo, its Chinese Roots and Zen Bond

Japanese calligraphy, called shodo in Japanese, is the calligraphy brushed in Japanese. As many different artistic manifestations in Japan, Japanese calligraphy has its roots in Chinese calligraphy. For many centuries one of the most praised calligraphers in Japan was Chinese born Wang Xizhi from the 4th century.

Still, since the Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries were incorporated into the Japanese writing practice, Japanese calligraphers began to create native Japanese styles of calligraphy.

Different Kinds of Japanese Calligraphy

The classic types are almost the same in Chinese calligraphy as in Japanese calligraphy. They are as follows:

1. Seal Script, tensho in Japanese language, an time-honored style of calligraphy

2. Regular Script, kaisho in Japanese language, sometimes named Standard Script in English

3. Clerical Script, reisho in Japanese language

4. Semi-Cursive, gyosho  in Japanese

5. Cursive, sosho in Japanese language, also called Running Script in English

The Four Treasures of Eastern Calligraphy

The 4 fundamental tools you need for traditional Japanese calligraphy are called the Four Treasures and they are: brush, ink stick, rice paper - also known as mulberry paper in the West- and  the inkstone to ground the fresh ink.

Chinese Calligraphy Beginnings and Outset in Japan

Chinese calligraphy goes back 3000 years, when pictorial symbols or pictographs were carved on bones mostly with religious purposed. In time, during the Qin dynasty, the writing was homogenized as it had became a major instrument for governing the Chinese state.

The Chinese way of calligraphy was introduced to Japan around AD 600. Since that time, in Japan calligraphy has been practiced continuously. It has formed its own ways particularly in the Zen school.

Today in Japan pupils learn the art of Japanese calligraphy and it can be practiced in high school or universities along with other art subjects such as painting or music.

Finally, the appearance of performance calligraphy has made it a fashionable pursuit practiced together in clubs by the young. Performance calligraphy has also been made known in the Western countries and it seems to enthrall many people.

Japanese Calligraphy and Zen

Zen has had a remarkable impact in Japanese calligraphy. The most popular representation of the Zen style of Japanese calligraphy is the enso circle. The calligrapher depicts the enso circle of enlightenment in one single fluent stroke that can’t be adjusted or corrected.

Japanese Zen calligraphy, the Way of the Brush, is a sort of meditation in action.

Watercolor Paintings-- Why You Need to Give It A Go

Paintings amount to the beauty of homes, offices, and business establishments. If you have the ability to paint, you must try to develop it. Discover more about painting by registering in painting classes or you can investigate about it online. Whether you're an adult, teenager, or a kid, learning how to paint is not that challenging specifically if you put your heart into it. While you're looking for a media to utilize, maybe you may wish to try watercolor paintings.

You can express your picked subject through using watercolors. There are many benefits in using this media over other types of media. It is likewise a beautiful method to convey your sensations through your painting.

Here are a few of the very best reasons that you need to attempt watercolor painting.

1. It is simple-- as compared to other types of painting, watercolor painting is really easy and you can anticipate much better results in an extremely brief time.

2. Fast-- there are specific methods that you must find out in watercolor painting. You can do quick washes and spontaneous strokes as soon as you learn such methods. This is the beauty of watercolor painting and you can complete your piece in less than an hour and the greatest thing is that you will get gratifying results.

3. Great for people who are always on the go-- if you travel often, bring watercolor packages is not an issue. The packages are light-weight and come with compact boxes that you can bring around with ease. The paper used in watercolor painting can be acquired in blocks so you don't need a great deal of space. Preparing the documents required is likewise not required.

4. Does not smudge-- as compared to charcoal and pastel, watercolor painting doesn't smudge.

5. Dries quickly-- in numerous minutes, your art piece is already dry. However if you utilize oil paints for your painting, it would take days and even weeks before the piece dries up completely.

6. Watercolor is likewise a fluid-- due to the fact that of its nature, with just a few strokes, you can currently fill large areas.

7. 'Accidents' can contribute to your imagination-- you do not have to fret about accidents during watercolor painting because it can amazingly become something lovely. You can even pour the watercolor on the paper as you begin your painting and see exactly what designs it can produce.

8. Watercolor painting is flexible in look and style-- you can do illustrational works in addition to abstract arts. You can experiment in some styles that you haven't done before and it will all depend upon your ability and creativity.

Professionals state that utilizing watercolor is hard because the artist or painter cannot manage it easily. For beginners, here's a good guidance-- let the watercolor's magic work. Do not interfere in the beginning and see the designs it can develop and start painting from there. Enable limitless expeditions and you can undoubtedly enjoy your imagination for the rest of your life.

As an art lover, you already know that in some cases gorgeous paintings come as mishaps. But this ought to not be the need to stop practicing. If you regularly practice, in time, you will have the ability to control your strokes and develop more unique and artistic watercolor paintings. Never ever stop finding out since by doing so, you can develop more intriguing and creative concepts that you can use in your paintings.

While you're attempting to discover a media to use, possibly you may desire to try watercolor paintings.

Fast-- there are particular methods that you should find out in watercolor painting. The paper used in watercolor painting can be acquired in blocks so you don't require a lot of area. 'Accidents' can contribute to your imagination-- you do not have to fret about mishaps during watercolor painting since it can amazingly establish into something gorgeous. If you regularly practice, in time, you will be able to manage your strokes and create more creative and unique watercolor paintings.

If you are having a go at watercolour painting? Find yourself good artist paint brushes to set yourself up for success.

These days you can buy your brushes and other art supplies for next day delivery on line. For instance, depending where you live, just Google for: pinceaux peinture in France, or oleo pinturas  in Spain. The tools of the art world have changed little over the centuries but instant access to affordable supplies, and specialized help from professionals to help you get started with watercolours, oils and all the other mediums are just a few clicks away. 

I hope these watercolor painting tips have actually assisted. If you ever discover yourself getting prevented or annoyed by your progress, do not quit. Rather, welcome and gain from your errors. It will make you a much better painter.

Plus, make sure you enroll in the best type of watercolor lessons. If you are actually interested in the area of watercolor painting, you actually should look for some lessons to take.

Oh dear, oh deer!

Late June we had one of our most memorable meetings with nature. We were hiking in Germany. We had done the trip before but this time it was way different to the rest. My husband and I will never forget this beautiful and magic moment. It was so beautiful that it's hard to discribe.

We had walked for a 15 kilometre when my husband and I stand still because we saw something between the trees at a farm. The trees were about five metre to the road so we did not expect that beautiful animal. 

I whisper to my husband: is he real or is it a statue? I don not know he said. I think it's a statue. We looked again and I said: well, if it's a statue it's a very realistic statue. Beautiful! But I'm not sure, I think he's real. We stared at the deer and the deer stared at us. He did not move. He was about 170 cm.

I walked a few steps to see if the deer was moving with me with his eyes. But no, he did not. I cannot believe this, I said. He does not move perhaps it's a statue then. We kept staring at him, he was so beautiful. And those big dark eyes!

What a magical moment! 

Suddenly, after some minutes he moved one ear! Ohhh dear, he is real! Did you see that? Yes, beautiful, isn't it? How extraordinary! Wow! We are here standing staring at a real dear at five metres distance!

The dear was just as surprised as we were and finaly he moved slowly away. Oh dear, oh deer! We got tears in our eyes. This was one of those once in a lifetime moments! We thanked the deer that he gave us this precious moment and wished him good luck and a long life.

As long as we shall live we will never forget this magic moment and we always will remeber this precious moment. Thank you dear deer!

Have a nice day! 

Until then: don't worry: be HAPPY!

Henrice Kupper

http://henricekupper.artweb.com/