A fresh look at Flemish Old Masters at Denver Art Museum

The Flemish old masters were the first artists to paint in oils, and art was never the same.

I reported on “Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masters” for Art & Object, and here’s a link to my feature. Click here to read about the exquisite exhibition sans paywall or pop-up ads.

The Flanders painters are known for their exquisite details, as well as their embedded image codes.

When I met with the two curators of “Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masters,” the thought crossed my mind that we were three females–two curators and an arts writer–which was not all so common not so long ago. But the show includes three works by women, and also depicts women — everyone from the Blessed Virgin Mary to court fools.

The biggest show-stopper is the large work by Peter Paul Rubens and Studio. The a hunt scene has so much power and movement and ferocity that I could barely stand before it without a bit of vertigo.

For more about these astonishing paintings collected and conserved by The Phoebus Foundation in Belgium, click here for my feature published by Art & Object.

Daniel Sprick’s Realism is unreal

Daniel Sprick will exhibit his “Interiors” at Gerald Peters Gallery in New York City.

Daniel Sprick has given much of his life to painting, and his hyper-realistic art evidences the results of a man with not only talent, but also devotion. Along with being an exceptionally gifted painter, Sprick is articulate. Recently, we spoke of beauty, the smoke and mirrors of the art world, and aging.

On Christmas Day 2021, The Denver Gazette published my feature about the artist, linked here.

For the article, I also interviewed Sprick’s peer, another Colorado realist, Scott Fraser. I interviewed one of Colorado’s leading art collectors, John Madden. And I also interviewed Timothy Standring, Denver Art Museum painting curator emeritus. Everybody who casts a gaze toward a Sprick painting can see perfectly well that he is a master among us.

Sprick distinguishes himself via his versatility. He paints the human figure and portraits, still-life works, landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes, as well as still-life works.

To read the article, click here.

“He’s not a surrealist and not a realist. He’s Scott Fraser.”

Photo of Scott Fraser’s book cover

SCOTT FRASER is one of the nation’s most talented still-life painters, and he has a new book that beautifully presents his work. The Colorado-based artist shows his paintings, which range from large canvases to miniatures on copper, in 25 galleries across the nation.

My feature on the artist was published by Art & Object and includes a wonderful slide shows of his fascinating paintings.

The Gates Family Foundation Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Denver Art Museum, Timothy Standring said of the artist, “He’s not a surrealist and not a realist. He’s Scott Fraser.”  

To see more of Scott Fraser’s work, check out his website.

 

“La Musidora” musical rocking chairs rock outdoor furniture

 

Photo Courtesy of Denver Art Museum: Artists Ignacio Cadena and Héctor Esrawe

You’ll never look at lawn chairs the same again once you get a glimpse at “La Musidora,” a kinetic design installation outside Denver Art Museum. Created by a famous pair of Mexican designers, the musical rocking chairs feature traditional weaving by Mexican artisans. What’s more, the chairs make music! Each includes a chime activated when the chairs rock. “La Musidora” allows people to sit face-to-face, thanks to a traditional Mexican chair design.

Read more about “La Musidora” at this link to Art & Object.

Rock on!