Painting is an ancient medium, and even with the introduction of photography, film, and digital technology, it has remained a persistent mode of expression. Though many paintings have been preserved over the millennia, only a relatively small percentage can be construed as timeless classics. These works are familiar to the public, and coincidentally, they were produced by some of the most famous artists of all time. It leads us to wonder about the mix of talent, genius, and circumstance that is required for the creation of such masterpieces.
Painting is the application of pigments to a support surface that establishes an image, design, or decoration. In art, the term 'painting' describes both the act and the result. Most painting is created with pigment in liquid form, applied with a brush. Three of the most recognizable images in Westem art history are paintings: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Edvard Munch's The Scream, and Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night. These three art works are examples of how painting can go beyond a simple mimetic function, that is, to only imitate what is seen. The power of a great painting is that it transcends perceptions to reflect emotional, psychological, and even spiritual levels of the human condition. Painting mediums are extremely versatile because they can be applied to many different surfaces (called supports), including paper, wood, canvas, plaster, clay, lacquer, concrete, and more. During the course of thousands of years, great painters have given the world lifelike portraits, nature, and revolutions in fine paintings that surpass even the best photographs. In this volume, we discuss a few of these eternal masterpieces.
V.V.S. Manian has had an extremely successful and unique career in the fields of marketing, Communication, Journalism and Teaching. He started off as Project and Chief Marketing Manager, Modern Bakeries Ltd., New Delhi. He travelled the length and breadth of India. He moved from public sector to advertising and media and has worked at leading organizations like WS Industries and Efficient Publicities.
He has worked as a freelance journalist and photographer for The Mail, Madras (Chennai). He contributed regularly to The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhavan's Journal and Trinity Mirror. He was the founder editor of two weeklies, Blue streak and Janamitran. He currently runs the Asian News and Features Syndicate, Chennai. V.V.S. Manian was also the Hony. Principal for the evening college, Bhavan's Rajaji College of Communication and Management, Chennai and taught Marketing and Journalism for nearly three decades. V.V.S. Manian also served as Asst to Hony. Consul for Canada and Pondicherry from 1992 to 2003. He has undergone specialised training for Honorary Consul conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada.
As a writer, he has over 1000 articles to his credit on topics like politics, health and religion. He has interpreted and translated slokas like Abhirami Andadhi, Shiva Sahasranamam, Vishnu sahasaranamam, Soundariya Lahari, Bhaja Govindam and Neethi Sathagam. He has written several books, including the Dictionary on Journalism and Mass Communication, Architectural and Sculptural Beauty of Kapali Temple and Prayers for Prosperity (Ebook).
Whenever I visit the USA, my favourite destinations are the famous museums. I was a regular at the Metropolitan Museum, MoMA, and many others. I also visited the New York Public Library (NYPL).
I was fascinated by paintings and very curious to know about the legends and who genius created these masterpieces.
Each had his or her own technique, creativity and perspective, and each had their favourite mediums, like paints, pencils or water colours. We cannot and should not attempt to rank the famous paintings or the painters themselves.
The sad truth is that many paintings have disappeared over the years, damaged by time or human hands, we don't know. What we see is a fraction of the entire repertoire.
This book is an ode to these creators. I am presenting the entrancing lives and stories of a select few, whose influence remains unchanged to date. I hope this volume is an enchanting read for art lovers everywhere.
Manian holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from PSG College of Technology and BA from PSG Arts College, Coimbatore and a post graduate diploma in Public Relations and Journalism from Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communication Studies in Mumbai. He has also done online courses from Oxford, Columbia, Harvard and Berklee Universities, USA. Mr. Manian has travelled widely. He is also actively involved in politics and is currently with the BJP.
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