Soul Painter

The 'Gao Fan's New Works Appreciation Meeting' convened by Curator Hollein was held in early May.

Participants include academic professors who have long-term agreements with the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 'art consultant' positions, well-known art critics, collectors, and, of course, several old artist friends of Hollein.

The title of art consultant of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York means not only a rich professional commission, but also a position in the art world. After all, they can provide opinions and suggestions on all acquisition contracts of the museum, and they are stationed in one of the four largest 'Metropolitan' in the world. A museum', for a contemporary artist, is the supreme honor.

Of course, the 'force' between the collecting world and the artist is mutual.

For example, Chaplin doesn't need Oscar to prove his greatness, but Oscar needs Chaplin to prove its authority.

That's why the Metropolitan Museum offered a studio to the world's most famous oil painter, Govin, hoping to prove the artist's bond with the museum.

But in the past sixteen months.

The performance of the young master master who founded the demon faction is bewildering.

Hollein and his art advisors, though not present in the painter's studio, knew what the painter had been doing.

He was copying Degas.

And copied it twice.

As one of the founders of Impressionism, Degas's pioneering work on modern art history is beyond doubt.

But Gao Fan's status in the history of art should not be inferior to that of Degas. If he is a beginner, his copying of Degas is undoubtedly instructive, but for a master like Gao Fan who has formed his own style, The imitation of another master seems out of place and very eccentric.

Being able to endure such eccentricity for 16 months is already supported by Gaofan's fame and status and the 'greatness' of his past works, but a month ago, Klein finally couldn't resist the pressure of the board of directors and the advisory group. , and gave Lawrence an ultimatum.

Now, Gaofan's new work is in front of everyone.

But some people don't understand.

This is a 60x80 work, not large, the description of the overall background is blurred, the color is darker, the figure is used light color, the model is sitting there, the sun is shining on her cheek, which makes She looked plump and rich, with a smile on her lips - an expression rarely seen on model Anna's face.

"There is a bit of the style of the late Degas, but it's not the same, very...well, very ordinary." An art consultant said that Degas's late period was to integrate the solemnity of classicism into modernism, so Degas's works at that time, It's gorgeous, but Gaofan's work in front of you is different. Its tone and composition are very...well, ordinary.

"Gao Fan's early works, the "Mask" group paintings, already had a very obvious modernist style." Another academic professor said, "I was fortunate enough to participate in an auction of PACE, and I saw him still in school. A work from 1990, of course, that work has a weird name, so I won’t say it, I mean, even earlier, Govin’s modernist style was more mature, similar to Degas.”

"Yes, from the "Mask" group to "The Bostonian", in the same line, "The Bostonian" is the pinnacle of Govin's modernism, and it is a great work. Similar, but Degas's work is beauty and passion, while Govin's is insight into the soul and transcends human nature." said a senior art critic.

"That's why Lindsay Pollock of "AmericanArt" said that Gao Fan gave modern painting a new anchor, which is the insight and liberation of the human mind." The academic professor nodded.

"Afterwards, several works of Gaofan seem to want to try something new, including "Cat", "Ring" and "Veteran", he seems to want to switch from modernism to classicism, this change is unusual, very few artists Such a choice will be made." The critic said, "Of course, I think this transformation is a failure, although the "Buddha" in his series of subjects has been sold for an unprecedented high price, this does not give 21st century art Explore what's left."

After speaking, the critic who has a column in The New York Times looked at the new Gaofan product in front of him, held his shoulders and pinched his chin for a while, and then said: "I am very confused by the thematic nature of Gaofan's creation of this work. And inheritance, it is not a continuation of the peak of modernism in "The Bostonian", nor is it an attempt to return to classicism in "Buddha". Did he take a third way? Then why did he copy Degas?"

"Maybe he thinks he has reached the peak in two ways, so he is making new attempts?" An art consultant suggested.

"No no no!" The professor who participated in the auction of "The Rush of Maggots" suddenly found something, and he announced: "Everyone, I have discovered the inheritance of Gao Fan's creation of this painting, you see, in the picture In the painting, Gao Fan chose his early creative style. His lines, coloring and structure are very similar to those of Degas' later period, that is, his early style.

However, unlike Degas, Gaofan's rendering of ambient light obviously has a sense of atmosphere of Titian, which makes the whole work full of vivid emotions. Only this small difference can identify Gaofan. In Van and Degas, Degas's descriptions of characters are cold and alienated, while Govan is curious and vivid. "

"So, Gao Fan chose to return after reaching his peak?" an art consultant pondered, "He is now returning to the early days."

"But the skills are more skilled." The academic professor added, "Of course, in terms of expressiveness, it is inferior to Degas."

So far, this appreciation meeting has been going on for more than an hour.

All art consultants have found the inheritance of this painting in Gaofan's creative career. Regardless of whether Gaofan's next style choice is a return or not, this painting is enough to become a landmark action in his artistic attempt. The value and fame at the moment are enough for the Metropolitan Museum to collect it.

The conclusion is: although it does not give people a surprise, it is worth collecting.

At this time ~www.readwn.com~ Hollein said: "In order to facilitate you to better understand Mr. Gaofan's ideas and expressions when creating this work, I invited this model to the scene."

Models please?

What does this mean for appreciating paintings?

When the art consultants were puzzled, Ana Armas, another painter of the Demon faction, had entered the room at the request.

"Huh? Gaofan painted Ana Armas?" The art consultants were stunned. They were also very familiar with Ana Armas. Although the female painter did not make public appearances often, she had at least seen photos and videos. , When I was looking at the painting just now, I didn't expect it to be a portrait of Ana Armas.

But at this moment, Ana Armas is standing next to this 80X60 oil painting, and they look more and more like each other. There are countless details that connect the person in the painting with the female artist. Can't notice it?

……Magic!

All art consultants feel like their hairs are standing up.