About Figurative And Genre Art

By Elsa Noel


Genre art pictures scenes from everyday life, usually people doing something. According to the Academy systematization, genre painting is one of the types of paintings, together with history painting, portraiture, landscape, animal paining and still life. Figurative and genre art aren't synonyms, although they can both picture animal or human figures in different situations. Genre art is figuratism, while figuratism doesn't have to be genre art.

Figurative art is any form of art that has strong and recognizable references to the real world. The importance is given to perspective, volume, shape and structure. Artists use lines, shades, color and different materials to accentuate volume and perspective, or to achieve other effects. All techniques are accepted, as long as everything is based on the real world.

Generally speaking, figuratism is representational type of art. It covers everything that isn't abstract, and can be recognized as something that really exist in the real world. All art that was made before abstract art can be considered as figuratism. Considering this, it's easy to classify any artwork into these two basic categories. If you cannot tell what it is, it is probably abstract work.

This type of painting uses all types of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel or any other. The main subject is human figure, with or without clothes. Although all portraits are actually figuratism, different artists have different approach to the subject. Some of them are more focused on reality, while some rather describe moods and emotions.

The best example for this art-form is expressionism, but all other types can also be considered as figuratism, as long as they aren't abstract. For example, cubism. Although it belongs to abstract form, numerous artworks are actually figurative. Picasso is the best example for this. Although his artworks can sometimes be really distorted, you can still recognize the main subject. There are no special limitations.

Figuratism covers extremely wide area. One extreme is the photo realism, and all the way on the other side is nearly abstract, barely recognizable form of expression. Again, cubism. Cubism is abstract or not, depending on the author. Unrecognizable as something based on the real world, it is abstract. If you can tell what it is, however distorted it is, it can be considered as figuratism.

Numerous contemporary artists represent different approaches to figuratism. Some of the most interesting ones are John Currin and Jenny Saville, for example. If you would like to explore the world of modern figurative artists, make sure to check the work of Hollis Dunlap, Johan Van Mullem, Marlene Dumas, Jas Knight, Gillian Carnegie and numerous other interesting artists.

Different abstract art forms popular in twentieth century made figurative arts a little bit neglected. They tried to improve the art. In the eighties, this forgotten art form became popular again, thanks to numerous enthusiasts such as John Currin. Contemporary figurative art reflect modern world and definitely has something to offer. Maybe art cannot be improved, but it can offer something new and exciting.




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