La Grenouillere – Monet V Renoir

La Grenouillere

Having just come back from Giverny, I thought I’d have to include a post on Monet having seen his wonderful gardens and house. Monet’s & Renoir’s paintings of La Grenouillere really interest me as we’ve done art reproductions of both and they’re surprisingly different.  Surprising, as they painted their paintings at the same time on the same day whilst they were together one Sunday.  La Grenouillere actually means ‘the frog pond’ and was a popular spot for young Parisians to dance and go for a swim. The round floating dock in the centre of both paintings was called ‘le camembert’ because it reminded them of the French cheese.

Monet’s La Grenouillere

Monet's La Grenouillére

Renoir’s La Grenouillere

Renoir's La Grenouillere

As you can see from looking at the two paintings even though Monet and Renoir have painted the same scene, they are remarkably different.  For instance, Monet has captured two ladies in long swimming costumes, which you can’t see in Renoir’s painting.  Whilst, if you look carefully at Renoir’s La Grenouillere, he amongst other things  has managed to paint 2 dogs and a sail boat, which is not seen in Monet’s.

Art Reproduction

Fabulous Masterpieces has painted a lot of art reproductions of La Grenouillere over the years, below is an example of our Renoir La Grenouillere hand-painted in oils onto canvas.

Renoir's La Grenouillere by Fabulous Masterpieces

If you would like to purchase La Grenouillere by Renoir or Monet’s version please contact us or visit either the Monet online gallery or Renoir art reproduction page.

If you would like to know more about art reproduction, what it is, who buys them etc, visit our art reproduction question page, here.

Bye for now x

Anna

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How to tell if art is a reproduction

1. Archival Evidence

Research Research Research…..

Archival Evidence

Doing some research and getting your hands on documents that provide information about the painting or its earliest owners is clearly a good step in assessing if the painting you have or are looking to buy is an original or an art reproduction. Having information about how your painting was made and the historical and artistic context in which it was created will really be able to help you.

2. Scientific Investigation

Scientific Examinations

If you look at your painting, try and think: “Is the appearance, texture and pattern consistent with the artwork’s proposed age”? The back and sides of a painting are also good sources of information and can tell professionals about dating and provenance and even geographic origin of the painting in question. Scientific techniques such as X-radiography and infrared radiation can also help.

3. Art Knowledge

Knowledge is Power

Having knowledge of historic techniques is also very helpful in discerning whether you have an original painting or an art reproduction. For example, with Renaissance paintings the majority were painted on panels. So knowing that before the 18th century, wood panels used for painting were finished by hand  (the backs of the paintings can still exhibit traces of tools that were used to work the wood), as opposed to after the 18th century when  machine sawn panels were used; already gives you an indication of when the painting was produced.

4. Labels

Most canvases and panels used for painting were prepared by specialist craftsmen as opposed to the actual artist and occasionally have labels or markings that identify the maker. To give you an example, wood panels produced in Brussels were frequently branded with the mark of the panel maker and city’s insignia, which can help you verify geographic origin and a rough date.

5. Colours

Colours

In any given era, artists have a common range of pigments at their disposal. And it is the method of using these pigments mixtures and applying paint that experts can observe differences between periods within the era .  A coloured ground in your  painting can determine your painting’s approximate date – If you think you have a have a fifteenth century painting for example, experts could tell if a pigment in it was a 21st century synthetic pigment and therefore it’s a pretty straight forward way to detect whether your painting is an original or art reproduction.

Are you interested in purchasing an art reproduction?

If you would like some more  information on art replicas please visit the art reproduction page. Likewise, if you have a question or something to share please contact us or leave a comment.

Bye for now x

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Botticelli’s Primavera and the Birth of Venus

I’ve just left the Uffizi, the highlight for me, especially after having commissioned so many Botticelli art reproductions for people was standing in front of the monumental paintings of Botticelli’s Primavera (Spring) and The Birth of Venus.

The Primavera (c.1482) was painted for the Medici family and measures a staggering 203 cm x 314 cm.

Botticelli's Primavera

The Primavera must be read from right to left. So we start with Zephyrus, the light spring wind who pursues the nymph Chloris, and having catches her, endows her with the power of being able to germinate flowers. The ability transforms the nymph into Flora, the Roman goddess of Spring and flowers. Flora is the embodiment of nature and her dress is covered with the floral symbols of her role.

Botticelli's Flora

In the centre is Venus and above her a blindfolded cupid is shown pointing an arrow at the three graces who are dancing and celebrating spring whilst Mercury banishes the clouds from the garden.  There are many other interpretations of this painting, but as I remember from my art history days, this is the most widely accepted theory.

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus

The Birth of Venus (c.1484) another big painting measuring 184.5 x 285.5 centres on the theme of Love.

Botticelli's The Birth of Venus - Art Reproduction Painted by Fabulous Masterpieces. Oil Painting on Canvas.

Propelled over the waves on a floating shell by Zephyrus again (god of wind), this time joined by Aura.  Venus lands ashore and is handed a flowered cloak by a young girl. Classical texts such as Homer’s Hymn to Venus and Ovid’s love poetry were the likely literary references.

Would you like a quote for a Botticelli oil painting?

If you would like a quote for a Botticelli reproduction oil painting such as The Birth of Venus or Primavera, please contact us. As with all our commissions, our Botticelli paintings are strictly made to measure, so you can choose to have your oil replica painted to the precise dimensions that is going to suit your wall space or existing frame.

Alternatively, why not visit the Botticelli online gallery?! You’ll be able to commission a fine art reproduction of any of Botticelli’s great masterpieces straight off the website.

Have a question?

We’d love to hear from you! If you would like to add something, share your knowledge on Botticelli or ask a question concerning our Botticelli art reproductions please leave a comment.

Bye for now x

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Caravaggio Paintings

Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) whose real name was Michelangelo Merisi (he was named after the small town where he was brought up), truly was a tremendous artist. I’ve just come back from spending three weeks in Italy, where I have been mesmerised by so many of Caravaggio’s paintings. It’s no wonder therefore that we have been asked to paint a number of art replica paintings of his great masterpieces.

We actually have 2 artists who specialise in Caravaggio paintings. Sergei and Alex. Sergei has been painting professionally for over 16 years and is our top Caravaggio artist. Below is his art reproduction of Caravaggio’s Head of Medusa. Having just seen the original in the Uffizi I can testify to how technically brilliant this reproduction oil painting is. Interestingly enough Caravaggio’s original painting is actually a wooden shield covered with painted canvas.

Caravaggio Paintings by Sergei

1. Caravaggio Paintings: Head of Medusa by Sergei for Fabulous Masterpieces

Caravaggio's Head of Medusa by Fabulous Masterpieces (Artist - Sergei)

2. Caravaggio Paintings: Love Victorious by Sergei for Fabulous Masterpieces

The reproduction below of Caravaggio’s Love Victorious (the original Caravaggio painting is held in Berlin, Staatliche Museen) is another Caravaggio painting by Sergei. Those who believed that Caravaggio was a homosexual interpret the figure of Love in an erotic vein: the painter’s “favourite” must have posed for him with complacent licentiousness. As a matter of fact, the splayed legs hark back to a symbolic code also used by Michelangelo to signify resurrection, victory and triumph.

Caravaggio's Love Victorious by Fabulous Masterpieces. Artist - Sergei.

3. Caravaggio Paintings: The Betrayal of Christ by Sergei for Fabulous Masterpieces

I love this painting, it may not be the happiest of subject matters, where Caravaggio focuses on the culminating moment of Judas’ betrayal but it’s just so wonderfully painted that I can’t but stop and admire it.

Caravaggio's The Betrayal of Christ (also known as The Taking of Christ) by Fabulous Masterpieces. Artist - Sergei.

Caravaggio Paintings by Alex

Our second artist who hand-paints Caravaggio paintings is Alex. Alex has been painting for 10 years and charges roughly around 40% less than Sergei whose work you’ve just seen  above.

1. Caravaggio Paintings: Supper in Emmaus by Alex for Fabulous Masterpieces

This painting, the original, which is in our very own National Gallery (London) unmistakably demonstrates Caravaggio’s love for symbolism.  This disciple with his arms outstretched (as if to measure space) recognizes his Lord and mimes in his gesture the shape of the cross.  The basket of fruit also contains grapes and pomegranates, common symbols of Christ’s martyrdom.

Caravaggio Supper At Emmaus - Art replica by Fabulous Masterpieces. Artist - Alex.

2. Caravaggio Paintings: Sacrifice of Isaac by Alex for Fabulous Masterpieces

The Sacrifice of Isaac was actually commissioned for a customer who wanted it painted in its original dimensions 104 cm × 135 cm (41 in × 53 in). That’s quite a big painting! Does Isaac look familiar? He has actually been identified as Cecco Boneri who has appeared as a model in numerous Caravaggio paintings. I think he also looks like the main figure in Caravaggio’s Victorious Love painting above.

Caravaggio Sacrifice Of Isaac, art replica painted by Alex for Fabulous Masterpieces

3.  Caravaggio Paintings:  Death of the Virgin by Alex for Fabulous Masterpieces

Another huge painting, the original dimensions measure 369 cm × 245 cm (145 in × 96 in). It’s hard to show the size of the painting in a photo as it’s still drying in the studio. Hopefully if the customer takes a photo of it, once it’s dried and is hanging in situ in his home, I’ll be able to post it on the blog and show you how it looks.

Caravaggio's Death Of The Virgin by Alex for Fabulous Masterpieces

Would you like a quote for a Caravaggio painting?

Having seen photos of the previous commissions above, if you too would like a quote for a Caravaggio painting from either Alex or Sergei (or both!), please contact us. As with all our commissions, our Caravaggio paintings are strictly made to measure, so you can choose to have your oil replica painted to the precise dimensions that is going to suit your wall space or existing frame.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have a question, something to add or would like a quick quote, please leave a comment.

Bye for now x

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