Paintings

Explore our collections of unique paintings and browse through our contemporary artists to enhance your interior and find the style and technique that will make your heart smile. At Carré d’artistes, we believe in the power of inspiration and imagination of art. So purchase a painting on our online art gallery and bring art into your life!

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What is contemporary art?

Contemporary art refers to the art of our time: from the late 20th century, after the war, to the early 21st century. Modern art began in the 1850s and ended in the mid-1950s, preceding contemporary art.
Characterized by its diversity, innovative nature, and engagement with contemporary issues, this artistic movement also rhymes with aesthetics and beauty. Contemporary paintings and art pieces are the perfect final touch to the decoration of your space.

Advantages of contemporary art paintings in home decor

• Bringing originality and modernity: A major benefit of contemporary art in home decor is that it adds originality and a modern touch to your space. The art pieces stand out for their innovative aesthetics, abstract art forms, vibrant colors, and surprising textures. They create a unique focal point that captivates the eye and gives character to your space.

• Expressing personality: Art offers a powerful means of expressing one's personality and artistic taste. It allows you to express your sensibility, values, and aspirations. Whether you prefer abstract, figurative, minimalist, or bold artworks, contemporary art allows you to create an environment that resembles you.

By integrating contemporary art paintings into your decoration, whether through abstract paintings, oil paintings, or watercolor paintings, you transform your interior into a unique and inspiring space.

Art stimulates creativity, evokes emotions, and encourages conversations. True source of daily inspiration, it creates a dynamic and enriching atmosphere in your home or workspace.

Pictorial art is the transposition of an emotion through the painter's brushstroke. Artists have always been able to transform an ephemeral thought into a work that spans centuries.

Artists' means of expression

The pictorial history cannot be summarized by Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci alone. This practice dates back to prehistoric times when the first humans expressed themselves through a mixture close to watercolor.

The techniques that allow the artist to develop their thoughts on a blank canvas have adapted and evolved according to the painting and artistic movements that have governed the centuries. Jan Van Eyck, for example, was the precursor of the pictorial style specific to the Renaissance thanks to his improvement of oil painting. This technique then inspired Da Vinci to invent "sfumato."

Each technique possesses properties that allow painters to achieve particular effects. Watercolor allows for the creation of blurred landscapes with aqueous softness, while oil is preferred to obtain a satin-like and raw aspect. Contemporary paintings are generally associated with acrylic, which offers a short drying time and good long-term preservation of the artwork.
In reality, contemporary artists use all possible painting techniques.

The pictorial style, a representation of thought on canvas

Pictorial techniques constitute a reservoir that allows contemporary artists to embrace all styles.

Depending on whether the artist wishes to emphasize texture, color, or transparency, they will lean towards a particular technique to approach abstract or figurative art.
Realism, for example, was characterized by the need to transcribe a personal vision of a fixed event. Artists used oil painting and watercolor to address issues of color and transparency.

Contemporary art has broken the codes of academic painting, to the point where paintings are characterized by artistic thought rather than realism. In this way, all techniques are celebrated to depict all styles.
 

Prominent figures of post-impressionist movements

Impressionism marked a rupture with traditional pictorial practices. Contemporary painting, in particular, was initiated by Manet, who broke the codes to work on a more personal dimension of artwork. While remaining realistic, the painter played with colors and textures.

We owe the expansion of minimalist painting mainly to Braque and Picasso. Cubism represents the representation of nature through geometric forms. This line of thought continues to inspire some modern artists who seek to depict their vision of the world by distorting reality.

The practice of painting as we know it today developed after World War II.
Abstract art experienced a considerable boom, and contemporary paintings are no longer confined to a specific artistic movement. We witnessed the birth of street art and pop art in the United States, practices that quickly spread internationally. Prominent contemporary artists like Andy Warhol contributed to undermining the traditional practice.

Now, it is more about presenting oneself to the world through conveying a message rather than being recognized for the ability to faithfully replicate nature.

Contemporary art is not codified. Tradition makes room for an abstract conception of ideas, expressed through familiar techniques.

The prestige of an artwork is no longer determined by its complexity. Ad Reinhardt proved this with his collection of monochrome paintings composed of a combination of geometric shapes. To achieve unique effects, artists do not hesitate to add natural elements such as sand or soil.
Frescoes depicting heroic epics have been replaced by iconic figures of pop culture. The great stars are caricatured, just like the fantastical characters that have left their mark on the artists' youth.

Carré d’artistes offers you the opportunity to buy original art paintings, that defy tradition and create emotions. Discover the figurative and abstract world of our artists with a selection of unique paintings

Prized by gallery owners and collectors, we can mention:

• Takashi Murakami, a Japanese artist and contemporary painter, represented in France by the Perrotin gallery, colors the art world with flowers and manga motifs! He is considered the successor of the famous painter Andy Warhol.
• Jenny Saville, a British painter, is currently the most expensive living female artist. Her pictorial treatment of naked and voluptuous bodies demonstrates perfect mastery of her technique, often compared to sculpture.
• David Hockney, an iconic figure of pop art and omnipresent in recent times.
• Jeff Koons and the famous Balloon Dog, the king of communication and undoubtedly one of the most controversial figures in the art world.
• Ai Weiwei, a famous independent artist and activist, is involved in the fight for human rights opposes the Chinese regime, and is an engaged artist who reaches a wide audience. According to Art Review, he is the most powerful contemporary artist.

Many more talented artists exist in the world of contemporary art, and we wish we could mention more. However, if you’re interested in knowing more about this subject, feel free to check out our many blog articles, including "Understanding Contemporary Paintings," "Famous Contemporary Artists," and "The Most Famous Contemporary Paintings."

Various Ways to Display Contemporary Paintings

When you want to integrate art into your interior decor, such as abstract paintings, you have several options for creatively and aesthetically displaying them.

Here are two common ways to exhibit your artworks:

• Classic wall hanging: Hanging is the traditional method for displaying paintings on your walls. Choose strategic locations to highlight each artwork and opt for frames that complement the style of the paintings and harmonize with the overall room decor.
• Use original supports: To create a unique staging, consider using original supports such as easels, shelves, or pedestals. By offering an interesting alternative to traditional wall hanging, they allow you to showcase your art pieces originally. Play with different heights, angles, and combinations to create a visually captivating arrangement.

Creating an Artistic Ambiance with Paintings

In addition to exhibiting paintings, you can also create an artistic ambiance by using additional elements:

• Play with lighting: Lighting is a key element in highlighting an original painting. Use spotlights or directional lighting to create an interplay of shadow and light that accentuates the details and textures of the artwork. Our recommendation is to experiment with different lighting intensities to create the desired ambiance and draw attention to the paintings.
• Associate paintings with other decorative elements: To enhance the visual impact of your paintings, we advise you to associate them with other decorative elements such as furniture, textiles, or accessories. Choose pieces that complement the style of the paintings and create visual coherence. For example, you can create a personal art gallery by combining unique paintings with shelves displaying artistic objects or books on art.