Cornelis Corlenisz van Haarlem "Adam and Eve", 1622.

Hamburger Kunsthalle, a photo by Hans Ollermann on Flickr.

This painter is new to me. Such bizarre idealization in the Eve figure, but I like it. Adam is strangely unidealized and his legs and feet seem way too short. The real charm to me is the forward gesture of Eve's head and neck in contrast to the backward thrust of the upper torso. So self conscious and so human. The little frog at her feet is also delightful.

Max, Gabriel (1840-1915) - 1870s Morning (Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia)

Max, Gabriel (1840-1915) - 1870s Morning (Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia), a photo by RasMarley on Flickr.

Annigoni, Pietro (1910-1988) Self-Portrait

Annigoni, Pietro (1910-1988) - Self-Portrait (Sotheby's London, 2002), a photo by RasMarley on Flickr.

An angel, Abbott H Thayer

An angel, Abbott H Thayer, a photo by Painter's Reference on Flickr.

Abbott H Thayer

Abbot Thayer2, Abbott H Thayer, a photo by Painter's Reference on Flickr.

George Inness 'Early Autumn, Montclair' 1891

George Inness 'Early Autumn, Montclair' 1891, a photo by Plum leaves on Flickr.

A perfect example of the "painted world" as a place apart from the real. This light is not an occurrence of nature, but it is familiar because we've been there.

George Inness 'Summer Landscape' 1894

George Inness 'Summer Landscape' 1894, a photo by Plum leaves on Flickr.

So simple, so otherworldly.

Jacopo Robusti, called Tintoretto - "Susanna and the Elders", circa 1555-1556

Jacopo Robusti, called Tintoretto - "Susanna and the Elders", circa 1555-1556, a photo by artimageslibrary on Flickr.

Palais des Beaux Arts Brussels

Palais des Beaux Arts Brussels, a photo by Martin Beek on Flickr.

Got this from Flickr. Not sure who it is, but it's an amazing head, looks Flemish, 17th century. Funny how small they made mouths on women, but it somehow doesn't look alien.

Henry John Stock (British, 1853-1930), "The Uplifting of Pysche"

Henry John Stock (British, 1853-1930), "The Uplifting of Pysche", a photo by sofi01 on Flickr.

Chelmonski, Jozef (1849-1914) - 1877 Night in the Ukraine (National Museum, Warsaw, Poland)

Chelmonski, Jozef (1849-1914) - 1877 Night in the Ukraine (National Museum, Warsaw, Poland), a photo by RasMarley on Flickr.

Caspar David Friedrich - Sunset Brothers [1830-35]

Caspar David Friedrich - Sunset Brothers [1830-35], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Alfred Stevens - In the Studio [1888]

Alfred Stevens - In the Studio [1888], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

I'm really loving these "behind the scenes" type paintings by Alfred Stevens. They are no less epic, jewel-like than conventional narratives, and probably more interesting than the actual painting on the easel in this picture. I get the rare and peculiar feeling of actually peering back through a window in time, which I don't get as much looking at old black and white photos from the same era.

Francesco Melzi - Flora [1510-15]

Francesco Melzi - Flora [1510-15], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

He was Da Vinci's favorite student. This is Flora, the mother of all plants.

Kyle V Thomas: Special Project: 25 $100 painting commissions

Im a fan of innovative ideas, especially crazy ones.  Realist painter, Kyle V. Thomas has released a new offer on his website.  Kyle is a great talent, and this is an offer of a lifetime.  At the risk of sounding too much like a tv commercial, these would make excellent Christmas gifts (probably not the perfect stocking stuffers though.)

"Special Commissions

This is a special project and will end when all 25 spots are filled. Each spot is $100+shipping and will get you an original 8"x10" oil painting of a landscape, or still-life subject of your choice*

You can provide a reference picture, or I can use your idea to create a completely unique and original vision for you. 

*Portait and animal subjects are excluded from this special offer, but I do accept regular commission work on an ongoing basis. Please contact me for more information."

Read more about it here.

Leo Klein Diepold

I recently did a talk on contemporary realism at Arkansas Tech University, and was very impressed by their facilities, especially their art gallery.  I liked this drawing and thought I'd share it with you.