Contemporary Realism

Jean Grimal is a true 20th century discovery. This breathtaking piece is a gorgeous example of his mastery as an artist. He beautifully creates chiaroscuro in this painting. The way the light touches the edges of the Chinese bowl and the grapes is an example of his skill in representing light. Jean Grimal (1942-1998) was born in the town of Tulle, France in 1942. Jean’s family moved to Paris when he was 8 years of age. After receiving a classical French education with studies in Latin and Greek, Jean Grimal entered the University to receive his Baccalaureate. He then attended Claude Barnard School for three years, when he received his Art Degree.  Upon completion Grimal taught art for seven years.  As Grimal’s own interest in formal painting and art began to possess him, the artist’s destiny changed.  In 1967 Jean Grimal stepped aside from teaching and pursued a career in professional painting and working as an illustrator in advertising.  As an advertising illustrator, Grimal worked with Lise Goldfard for more than 25 years at Studio 44 where they collaborated with major and important accounts, such as: Air France, Christofle, Peugeot, Lacoste, to name a few. At the same time he began presenting his formal paintings to galleries in Paris and Cannes, France and in London and Windsor, England.  Much to his surprise, Grimal found that his paintings were sought after by major art galleries and collectors throughout Europe.  After a number of years of being an important and successful art illustrator for these major accounts, he found himself having to choose between the two.  Fortunately for collectors, he chose to dedicate his life to the classical style of painting.  Jean looked at the simplest things in life through a microscope, where he could take the simplest object and depict the age of the fruit or the leaf. Jean Grimal received great pleasure from his work and painted for over thirty years.  As his style matured and became ever more perfect Jean Grimal truly reached the pinnacle of his career.  The artist’s methods were particularly distinguished when measured against his peers.  Grimal’s painting skill was distinctive and exceptional. Jean Grimal was known for his realistic trompe l’oeil and still life paintings.  The artist would carefully arrange the objects to form a satisfying composition.  By painting every shadow, highlight, and reflection within each composition Grimal brought mundane subjects to life.  His tight rendering combined with his attention to light and detail allowed him to blur the lines between illusion and reality, truly making his works one of a kind.  Grimal’s trompe l’oeil paintings consist of intricate compositions of cards, envelopes, photographs, paper of different materials and weights, backs of canvases, images of other artists’ works, kitchen utensils, pistols, and more.  Grimal had a talent for mastering these illusions that deceive the eye in his trompe l’oeil paintings.    No matter what genre Grimal was painting, tight, unperceivable brushwork characterizes his work.  The artist painted every crease and crinkle, every shadow and highlight, every detail.  By doing so, he was able to capture each individual surface texture of the objects in his paintings.  Grimal was also fabulous at depicting light in his paintings- often contrasting strong lights with strong darks, creating chiaroscuro modeling.  His still life paintings are reminiscent of Dutch seventeenth century...

White tulips with a light pink hue sit on a wooden windowsill while a winter landscape with a snow-covered field and barren trees against a blue sky can be seen outdoors through the ...

Breath of Fresh Air, oil on panel, 48 x 36 inches, $6,000 Having grown up in England, Heather Barron innately infuses her work with a bit of British charm and decorous character. Re...

The lush green landscape of Carol Pylant's painting titled "Gallifa Muse" invites us to explore. The Miro Sculpture in the foreground draws our eyes upward toward the mist blanketin...

Spring Walk is an original acrylic painting by artist Jane Peart. Jane took sintered from a walk through the woods on a spring day when the blossoms were out. This painting really capture the light passing through the trees. Jane Peart prints are available at Wychwood Art online and in the gallery. Jane Peart was born in London and studied illustration at Ealing School of Art where she graduated with distinction in 1975. She worked in a design studio in London before moving to Oxford in 1978. After many years of devoting time to pencil and pen & ink drawings, Jane took up etching - she now devotes most of her creative energies to printmaking. Jane Peart's work has been exhibited at Printspace Bankside, London; The Affordable Art Fair Battersea, 2003 annually to date; The Brighton Art Fair 2004, 2006; The Contemporary Art Fair Battersea and annually during the Oxford Artweeks Festival. I also took part in the Edinburgh Art Fair 2011; she regularly exhibits with The Oxford Printmakers venues including; The Ashmolean Museum, Christchurch Picture Gallery...

CAROLYN SERGEANT (1937-2018) Blackberries Signed with initials and dated ‘02 Oil on board 25.5 by 20.5 cm., 10 by 8 in. (frame size 44.5 by 38.5 cm., 17 ½ by 15 ¼ in.) Carolyn Ca...

Gathering clouds over meadow [2019] Sheep grazing in a field with clouds gathering overhead. This was in North Yorkshire near the coast. Additional information: Original Acrylic pa...

Pipa [2021] Original Flowers Oil paint on wood panel Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:24 cm x W:32 cm x D:0.5cm Framed Size: H:30 cm x W:38 cm x D:2.5cm Sold Framed Please note that...

Signed, inscribed and dated, lower right: 'Geo Dawe RA St Petersburgh 1819', also signed with initials, lower centre: 'G D RA'; and signed and inscribed verso: 'Geo Dawe RA Pinxit 1819 St Petersburgh'; Also inscribed on the stretcher by Cornelius Varley with varnishing instructions. Collections: Private collection, UK, 2010 Literature: Galina Andreeva Geniuses of War, Weal and Beauty: George Dawe...

Tracy Wall's "3 Strawberry Scoops" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a white porcelain bowl with a silver spoon and three scoops of pink strawberry ice cream. About the Artist: As an artist, Tracy Wall sheds new light on everyday life, inviting the viewer to see the familiar as if for the very first time. Working with a variety of subjects, Tracy paints interesting viewpoints with compelling value, color, and shapes. Appealing compositions are everywhere, and they make strong impressions from afar even before the subject matter is recognized. She loves to balance representational impressions with more abstracted compositions. Tracy has studied at the Art Students League of Denver under such influential artists as Michelle Torrez, Ken Velastro, Kevin Weckbach, John Lencicki, and Rob Gratiot while also participated in additional workshops from Sally Strand, Carol Marine...

A study in light. An homage to Giorgio Morandi

Andre Minaux (French 1923 - 1986) "Femme et Homards" / Woman with Lobsters. Oil on canvas. Features a young woman holding one lobster while two others sit on a counter before her. ...