Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is conté?

What is conté?

Conté is a vivid, waxy crayon invented by Nicolas-Jacques Conté in 1795. Artists use Conté crayons for detailed drawing, shading large areas, and blending colors. The tips can be sharpened with sanding pads for precision, or the sides can be dragged flat for broad shading.

Transavanguardia

Transavanguardia is the Italian version of Neo-Expressionism, referring to an art movement that emerged in Italy and other parts of Western Europe during the 1970s and 1980s. The term translates to beyond the avant-garde. Transavanguardia arose as a reaction against the dominance of conceptual art, reintroducing emotion and reviving painting as a primary medium. The movement marked a return to mythic imagery and figurative art, celebrating a rediscovery of traditional forms and themes in a contemporary context.

Nouveau Realism

Nouveau Réalisme is an artistic movement founded in 1960 by art critic Pierre Restany and painter Yves Klein during a collective exhibition at a gallery in Milan. Restany wrote the original manifesto in April 1960, proclaiming the movement. In October of that year, nine artists, including Martial Raysse, Yves Klein, Daniel Spoerri, Jean Tinguely, Arman, Pierre Restany, and three Ultra-Lettrists—Jacques de la Villeglé, François Dufrêne, and Raymond Hains—signed the declaration. In 1961, the movement expanded to include Mimmo Rotella, Niki de Saint Phalle, Gérard Deschamps, and César. The movement emphasized a return to reality in art, often incorporating everyday objects and exploring the boundaries between art and life.

Dau Al Set

Dau Al Set was an artistic movement that sought to express both the conscious and unconscious mind through art. Initially an offshoot of Surrealism, it evolved into a distinct movement over time. Founded in Catalonia post-World War II, Dau Al Set was the first artistic movement in the region after the war. The name Dau Al Set translates to the seventh face of the dice in Catalan, symbolizing the movement's unique and unconventional character.

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