As you probably noticed, 'conventional' artists and realism in art aren't exactly my 'cup of tea'. That said, when I meet some astounding 'outsiders' in the genre - and Ralph Heimans is surely among them - I'm ready to change tastes and 'resonate'.
"Born in Sydney in 1970, Ralph Heimans studied Fine Arts and Pure Mathematics at the University of Sydney and later at the Julian Ashton Art School. He received his first commission in 1988, beginning a series of portraits, still lifes and figurative works for private collectors in Sydney. By 1996, his commissions included paintings of leading Australian public figures for institutions such as the Compensation Court of NSW and the Australian Army.
Ralph Heimans moved to Europe in 1997, following a commission from the European Court in Luxembourg and began a string of portraits for London-based collectors. Demand for his large-scale group portraits led to new commissions in New York, Boston, Santa Fe and Paris, whilst maintaining links with Australia ensured further commissions in Sydney and Melbourne. Amongst these works, Ralph Heimans' self portrait was exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery in London, and his portrait of the French National Rugby team was hung in the Hotel de Ville in Paris.
Recent projects include a major corporate commission in Dubai, portraits for the Australian National Trust and the University of Melbourne. The first official portrait of Princess Mary of Denmark (fig. 3) represents Ralph Heimans' most prestigious commission to date. Ralph Heimans' work has been described to have a disarming quality, recalling the methods and conventions of 16th and 17th century European portraiture, while at the same time playfully undermining those traditions. Although his technical approach pays homage to masters like Caravaggio and Velazquez, particularly in the use of chiaroscuro, his subject matter is distinctly contemporary, drawing inspiration from technology and images of modern life." (from Heimans' site)
Ralph Heimans moved to Europe in 1997, following a commission from the European Court in Luxembourg and began a string of portraits for London-based collectors. Demand for his large-scale group portraits led to new commissions in New York, Boston, Santa Fe and Paris, whilst maintaining links with Australia ensured further commissions in Sydney and Melbourne. Amongst these works, Ralph Heimans' self portrait was exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery in London, and his portrait of the French National Rugby team was hung in the Hotel de Ville in Paris.
Recent projects include a major corporate commission in Dubai, portraits for the Australian National Trust and the University of Melbourne. The first official portrait of Princess Mary of Denmark (fig. 3) represents Ralph Heimans' most prestigious commission to date. Ralph Heimans' work has been described to have a disarming quality, recalling the methods and conventions of 16th and 17th century European portraiture, while at the same time playfully undermining those traditions. Although his technical approach pays homage to masters like Caravaggio and Velazquez, particularly in the use of chiaroscuro, his subject matter is distinctly contemporary, drawing inspiration from technology and images of modern life." (from Heimans' site)
If you like the few examples of Heimans' art ant technique posted here, visit his site
(don't forget to click on images to see larger format)
2 comments:
thanks!
Thanks Maurizio, I appreciate a lot your support and feedback...
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