So why did the old masters focus more on realism than abstract art?

If you ever wondered why the old masters painted things as they were, instead of making up weird shapes and colours, you’re not alone. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see a Picasso version of the Mona Lisa, or a Kandinsky interpretation of The Last Supper? Well, the answer has to do with the way people thought about art and the world back then. Let me explain.

You see, in the olden days, people believed that art should copy nature. That’s because they were influenced by the Renaissance, a period of history when people rediscovered the ancient wisdom of the Greeks and Romans, who were all about humanism. Humanism is a fancy word for saying that humans are awesome and they should study and celebrate themselves and their surroundings. So, artists tried to paint the world as realistically as possible, showing every detail, every wrinkle, every shadow, every hair. They wanted to capture the beauty and complexity of nature and human life.

But then, something changed. In the 19th century, some artists got bored of realism. They thought it was too boring, too predictable, too limiting. They wanted to express their own feelings and opinions, not just show what they saw. They also wanted to challenge the status quo, the established rules and norms of art and society. So they started to experiment with different styles, like romanticism, which focused on emotions and imagination, or neoclassicism, which revived the classical ideals of harmony and proportion. These styles were still based on realism, but they added some twists and turns.

Then came realism’s biggest enemy: abstract art. Abstract art is a style of art that doesn’t care about reality at all. It doesn’t try to represent anything that exists in the real world. It just uses shapes, colours, lines, and forms to create its own visual language. Abstract art was born in the early 20th century, when the world was going through a lot of changes: industrialization, urbanization, war, technology… you name it. Abstract artists wanted to reflect these changes in their art. They also wanted to explore their own inner worlds, their subconscious, their dreams, their visions. They didn’t care about pleasing anyone or following any rules. They just wanted to be free. Other important factors:-

1. Artistic Tradition and Training: The old masters were obsessed with realism because they wanted to show off their skills and impress their peers. They spent years learning how to draw, paint, and sculpt like the ancient Greeks and Romans, who were considered the epitome of artistic excellence. They also wanted to follow the rules and standards of their teachers and mentors, who taught them how to create realistic and beautiful works of art. They didn’t have time or interest for experimenting with abstract forms and colors, which they considered childish and sloppy. They wanted to prove that they were serious and professional artists, who could handle any challenge and subject matter.

2. Cultural, Religion and Social Expectations: The old masters were constrained by realism because they had to please their patrons and audiences, who were mostly conservative and traditional. They had to create art that was realistic, recognizable, and respectful of their beliefs and values. They had to avoid anything that was controversial, offensive, or blasphemous. They also had to cater to the tastes and interests of their viewers, who were mostly educated and literate. They had to create art that was informative, entertaining, and inspiring. They had to avoid anything that was boring, confusing, or irrelevant.

3. Symbolism and Narrative Clarity: The old masters were inspired by realism because they had a direct and personal experience of reality, which they could observe, study, and depict with their own eyes and hands. They also had a rich and diverse source of inspiration from reality, which they could draw from nature, history, literature, mythology, or their own imagination. They wanted to create art that was symbolic and narrative, that could tell a story or convey a message. They wanted to use realism as a tool to express their ideas and emotions, not as an end in itself.

So there you have it: a brief history of why the old masters focused more on realism than abstract art. Of course, this is a very simplified version of a very complex topic. There are many more factors and nuances involved in the evolution of art history. But I hope this gives you some idea of how art reflects the culture and philosophy of its time. And remember: there is no right or wrong way to make art. Art is subjective, personal, and diverse. And that’s what makes it so awesome. Please note that this is not a definitive or comprehensive analysis, but rather a humorous and subjective interpretation. Don’t take it too seriously!

Here are some specific examples of old masters who focused on realism:

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was one of the most famous and influential artists of the Renaissance. He was a master of realism, and his paintings are known for their accuracy, detail, and psychological insight.
Jan van Eyck (1390-1444) was a Flemish painter who is credited with developing the technique of oil painting. His paintings are known for their meticulous detail and their use of light and color.
Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was a Dutch painter who is known for his domestic scenes and his use of light. His paintings are known for their realism, their sense of atmosphere, and their emotional depth.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post about why the old masters preferred realism over abstract art. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for your attention!

Happy Painting!!

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