Figurative art the antipodes of abstractionism and conceptualism

Figurative art La Servante, Mario Tozzi, 1934
La Servante, Mario Tozzi, 1934

Varieties

Figurative art is based on the real world, and not on the author’s illusions deeply hidden in the subconscious. Supporters of this trend are convinced that the artist must create representative, that is, recognizable images in his works.

The objects for creativity can be a variety of animate and inanimate objects: people, houses, animals, cars, plants. But to implement his ideas, the author has the right to use all available means:

  • wide color palette;
  • bizarre and original shapes of objects;
  • combination of contrasts, the role of light and shadow;
  • perspective and scope.
Figurative art A walk on the pier, Evgeniy Evgenievich Lanceray 1908
A walk on the pier, Evgeniy Evgenievich Lanceray 1908

Therefore, works of many genres can be attributed to figurative art:

  • portrait;
  • historical;
  • animalistic;
  • landscape;
  • household;
  • battle; nude.

Likewise, figurative art encompasses a wide variety of styles that focus on the real world, including:

  • realism;
  • classicism;
  • romanticism;
  • impressionism;
  • baroque;
  • rococo.
Figurative art Canaletto. Return of Buchintoro to the pier at the Doge's Palace. 1729
Canaletto. Return of Buchintoro to the pier at the Doge’s Palace. 1729

In addition, figurative art is always aimed at the emotional perception of the viewer through the representation of recognizable forms of objects and objects. In this, it radically differs from conceptualism, whose adherents see their main goal as the transmission of ideas, and the form of creative expression is not important for them.

History of figurative art

The historical roots of figurative art can be found in ancient times. Even primitive people in their rock paintings very often tried to accurately depict the world around them.

But artists have always had a desire to distort somewhat, or rather, to embellish reality. The masters of the ancient era deliberately idealized the features of the human figure in their works. In the Byzantine Empire, icon painting became the main type of visual art, in which the proportions of bodies were clearly stylized, and the symbolism of flowers and objects played an important role.

Figurative art Edward Hopper, Jo Sketching at Good Harbor Beach (1923)
Edward Hopper, Jo Sketching at Good Harbor Beach (1923)
During the Renaissance, artists saw their destiny in glorifying the ideals of humanism and anthropocentrism.

Therefore, the greatest masters of that time created works of amazing beauty, but far from always realistic. This trend continued in other historical eras, right up to the advent of impressionism.

The features of figurative art, despite the emergence of new styles and genres, have always remained distinguishable in the paintings and sculptures of artists. But at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, revolutionary avant-gardism appeared in world culture. Many artists began to decisively abandon the thousand-year-old academic traditions, including figurative art. Abstract painting emerged and quickly began to gain popularity, which gradually took a leading position in modern world culture.

In the new 21st century, the ratio of the number of adherents of abstract and figurative art is constantly changing. Some artists actively advocate the return of old traditions in painting and sculpture, while their opponents ardently defend the opposite point of view. Even professionals in the field of art do not dare to say who will win this struggle.

Figurative art Evgeny Evgenievich Lansere, Street in Ankara, 1922
Evgeny Evgenievich Lansere, Street in Ankara, 1922
In the time of harmony (The golden age is not in the past, it is in the future), Paul Signac, 1893 - 1895
In the time of harmony (The golden age is not in the past, it is in the future), Paul Signac, 1893 – 1895
Interior (Model reading), Edward Hopper, 1925
Interior (Model reading), Edward Hopper, 1925
Jacques-Louis David. Oath of the Horace. 1786
Jacques-Louis David. Oath of the Horace. 1786
Painting by Joan Marti
Painting by Joan Marti
Painting by Jonas Kunickas
Painting by Jonas Kunickas
Nina Kandinsky in Akhtyrka, Wassily Kandinsky
Nina Kandinsky in Akhtyrka, Wassily Kandinsky
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