artquotes
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Many artists do start with realism because it helps build foundational skills like observation, proportion, and technique. Over time, some move toward abstraction as they become more interested in expressing ideas, emotions, or experimenting with form and color beyond literal representation.
However, not all artists follow this trajectory. Some dive straight into abstraction, while others stick with realism their entire lives. It really depends on the artist’s interests, influences, and creative journey.
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“Unlike the artists behind many of Shaw’s thrift-store paintings, the “bad painters” of art history were often technically skilled. They made a conscious decision to ignore the standards of good taste and good style, which wasn’t always intuitive.”
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“What a funny thing painting is. The abstract painters always insist on their connection with the visible reality, while the so called figurative artists insist that what they really care about, is the abstract qualities of life.”
Marlene Dumas (b. 1953)
The White Disease
signed, titled and dated ‘The White disease Marlene Dumas 1985’ (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
51 3/8 x 43½ in. (130.5 x 110.5 cm.)
Painted in 1985.
Price realised
USD 998,500
774028028438249472
“You really need faith in yourself to make art and to stand up for what you believe in.”
Elizabeth Peyton (b. 1965)
Annette Greenwich St.
signed with the artist’s initials, titled and dated ‘Annette Greenwich St. EP 2004’ (on the reverse)
oil on panel
14 x 11 in. (35.5 x 27.9 cm.)
Painted in 2004.
Price realised
USD 365,000
773831054682357760
“Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.”
Jackson Pollock
Number 28, 1949
signed and dated ‘Jackson Pollock 49’ (lower left)
enamel on canvas mounted on Masonite
12 7/8 x 13 in. (32.5 x 33 cm.)
Painted in 1949.
Price realised
USD 6,705,000
773716663083335680
“Painting is a means of translating what is intangible into something that can be grasped visually.”
Elmer Nelson Bischoff (American, 1916-1991)
Girls, Ocean, Mirror
signed, titled and dated ‘Elmer Bischoff/ Girls, Ocean, Mirror/ 10/61’ (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
53 ¾ x 72 in. (136.5 x 182.9 cm.)
Price realised
USD 100,000
773647814699991040
“From my rotting body, flowers shall grow, and I am in them, and that is eternity.”
Edvard Munch
Madonna (Schiefler 33; Woll 39)
lithograph with woodcut in black, rust red, blue and pale grey-green, 1895-1902, on tissue-thin Japon, a superb, strongly printed impression, the colors rich, Woll’s fourth state (of seven) before the additional strands of hair across the torso, signed in pencil, with wide margins, deckle along the upper and right sheet edges, the lower and left sheet edges trimmed at time of printing, in excellent condition, framed
L. 21 7/8 x 13¾ in. (556 x 349 mm.)
S. 25¾ x 17¾ in. (654 x 451 mm.)
Price realised
USD 650,500