Author Archives: Mark Mitchell

About Mark Mitchell

Dealers in 19th-20th Century British and Continental Works of Art

The Eternal Appeal of the Ephemeral Fruit

Fruit has been used as subject matter in paintings for centuries. From Caravaggio’s delectable fruit baskets and sensual pomegranate halves through to Cezanne’s citrus shades and Wesselman’s overtly political pears, fruit is traditionally used as a symbol of decay and … Continue reading

Posted in still life | Leave a comment

The Use of Colours in Painting

Colour stimulates our emotions. It establishes the mood of a work of art and heightens our response. And it has done so since the dawn of civilisation. Even the prehistoric cave painters of Lascaux in France, more than 15,000 years … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Painting the Beast: The Artist’s Fascination with Fauna

Animals have always been revered in human society. Be it for their beauty, their ability to carry out laborious tasks or their capacity to act as a resolute, determined and altogether loyal companion, people have always had a fondness for … Continue reading

Posted in Animals | Leave a comment

The Representation of Autumn in Art

The autumn months provide a chance for artists to consider the idea of transition and decay, along with constancy and plenty. The outside world provides rich golds, reds, yellows and browns which are a gift for a landscape painter, and … Continue reading

Posted in Landscape | Leave a comment

Art as an Investment

It seems the financial markets have less returns to offer investors every passing year, with interest rates plummeting and investment funds becoming an increasingly volatile way to save your money. However, there is another avenue to invest in that doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Art Collection, Art Dealer, Art news | Leave a comment

True to the Eye: Techniques in Photorealistic Painting

Photorealistic painting strikes a stark contrast to what we have grown to know as modernism, the umbrella term referring to styles such as cubism, Dadaism and surrealism. Modernism has often sought to filter the world through the mind of the … Continue reading

Posted in Photorealism | Leave a comment

Life and Death in Still Life Painting

Still life paintings featuring inanimate objects have long been associated with the ephemeral nature of earthly existence and the inevitability of death and decay. Flowers, fruits, food and everyday household items are common themes, and, whilst caught in a moment … Continue reading

Posted in still life | Leave a comment

The Symbolism of Fruit in Art

Depictions of fruit in art can be dated back 3000 years to Ancient Egypt, where still life paintings of food could be found in the majority of Egyptian tombs. The common belief of the era was that these artistic representations … Continue reading

Posted in still life | Leave a comment

Arts and Architecture: Do They Go Hand In Hand?

Architecture isn’t necessarily something that many people would consider an art form, but it may interest some to know that there is a very close relationship between those who appreciate and create fine art, and architects. For decades, architects and … Continue reading

Posted in Art Theory, contemporary paintings, Paintings of interiors | Leave a comment

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables: The Use of Furniture in Art

When composing a painting, the artist gives careful consideration to all the elements of their piece. Nothing is included unless the artist wishes it to be; and thus even the most humble and overlooked factors can be imbued with great … Continue reading

Posted in Art Theory, Paintings of interiors, still life | Leave a comment