The greatest thing about art is it can be whatever you want it to. There are no limits, only perceptions. One of the most interesting and enduring styles is figurative art. It has a basis in the real world, but the presentation can go any way the artist decides. From classic masters like Picasso to modern names like Serge Firer, there are many amazing works to inspire the viewer.
Early origins
Did you know that the earliest example of figurative art is over 40,000 years old? It was found in 2018 in Lubang Jeriji Saleh, the famous limestone cave complex on Borneo. Ancient artists loved to paint stylised representations of real things, including people and animals. A number of realist artworks are technically figurative because they had idealised forms.
The evolution of figurative artwork is one of the most amazing in any artistic field. The horizons have broadened over the centuries, from the early parts of the Renaissance to today. You can find pieces that challenge perceptions, explore human emotions and social issues, provide political commentary, and more.
Experimentation
At the core of figurative art is a love of experimentation. Many pieces begin with a real world element, whether it is a person, a building, an animal, or even a simple item like a fish tank. You can typically still tell what each of these things are, sometimes with hyper-realistic elements, but there can be so much more going on. It challenges what you see and perceive.
What makes this field even more spectacular is the experimentation of the artists themselves. They can utilise different media, combining textures with amazing results. Many experiment with colour and the feelings it can evoke. At the end of the day, it is all about expression.
Famous artists
As we said above, there are many noteworthy names with significant pieces of figurative art, including Serge Firer. Let’s have a quick look at some.
Arguably the biggest name in art in general, Pablo Picasso is one of the most influential figurative artists. He has some renowned works, including the Weeping Woman series of paintings and Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. His own self portraits are especially interesting, showing the evolution of his style and how he viewed himself.
James McNeill Whistler is another huge name. His most famous work is Arrangement in Gray and Black No 1, also known as Portrait of the Artist’s Mother or simply Whistler’s Mother. It is influential because it challenges people to think about the meaning of motherhood.
There are countless other notable names, including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Ron Hicks, Mark Demsteader, and Jenny Saville. Several artists from the pop art movement also have significant works. David Hockney is one of the most celebrated.
Do you want to own a piece of figurative art by Serge Firer?
Charter Prints has an incredible collection of works from a massive list of different artists. It includes original prints, watercolours, sketches, and more. Whether you want realism or something figurative, you can choose pieces that feel special and inspire a connection.
One figurative artist we would recommend is Serge Firer. His work is highly visual, with realistic details as well as visual elements that question the reality of what you are seeing. It makes the works really special, and the perfect part of any collection.
You can have a look at the pieces we have available by Firer here. If you have any questions about them, buying, delivery, or anything else, please get in touch.