Raphael
Raphael Santi (1483-1520), commonly known as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its visual achievement of the ideal of human grandeur and clarity of form. Known for his perfecting qualities and serene bearing of subjects, Raphael’s style was influenced by his studies of both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Renowned works such as “The School of Athens” and “Sistine Madonna” showcase his skill in perspective, anatomy, and composition. Raphael’s significant contributions have made him one of the best known and most loved masters of the Italian Renaissance.
Odilon Redon
Odilon Redon (1840–1916) was a French symbolist artist known for his unique blend of the realistic and the fantastic. Redon’s style, characterized by its dreamlike imagery, bold use of color, and exploration of the imagination, contributed significantly to the Symbolist movement and anticipated Surrealism. His works, such as “The Cyclops,” range from dark, introspective lithographs to vibrant pastels and oil paintings, reflecting his belief in the power of the imagination and the personal subconscious. Despite his often overlooked status during his lifetime, Redon’s influence on modern art, particularly Surrealism, is profound.
Rembrandt
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher, widely regarded as one of the greatest artists in the history of Western art and the most important in Dutch art history. Rembrandt’s works are celebrated for their innovative approach to light and shadow, human emotion, and self-portraiture. His style, evolving from detailed realism to a broader, more atmospheric technique, is visible in masterpieces like “The Night Watch” and his numerous self-portraits. Rembrandt’s influential oeuvre extends to all genres, marking him as a dominant figure in 17th-century Dutch Golden Age art.
Ad Reinhardt
Ad Reinhardt (1913–1967) was an American abstract painter, writer, and critic closely associated with the movements of Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, and Conceptual Art. Reinhardt’s style, characterized by its monochromatic palettes and geometric precision, sought to remove all traces of representation, symbolism, and metaphor from painting. His works, such as the “Black Paintings,” consist of nearly indistinguishable changes in hue and tone, exploring the subtleties of visual perception. Despite facing criticism for his extreme aesthetic views, Reinhardt’s contribution to the evolution of abstract art and his influence on later Minimalist and Conceptual artists remain significant.
Andrey Remnev
Andrey Remnev (born 1962) is a Russian contemporary artist known for his reinterpretation of traditional Russian icon painting techniques. Remnev’s style, characterized by its flatness, bright colors, and meticulous detail, often combines the aesthetics of medieval Russian art with modern subjects and symbolism. His works, such as “Yuryev Day,” display a compelling fusion of the past and present, creating an unmistakably unique and timeless visual language. Remnev continues to exhibit his work, enthralling audiences with his distinctive artistic vision and mastery of traditional painting techniques.
Pierre Auguste Renoir
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a leading French artist who was a key figure in the development of the Impressionist style. Known for his celebratory depiction of beauty and feminine sensuality, Renoir’s style is characterized by vibrant light, saturated color, and a focus on people in intimate and candid compositions. His works, such as “Dance at Le moulin de la Galette” and “The Large Bathers,” range from portraits to landscapes and scenes of Parisian life. Renoir’s significant contributions to the Impressionist movement left a lasting impact on the course of modern art.
Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold (born 1930) is an African American artist, best known for her narrative quilts that tackle issues of race, gender, and history. Ringgold’s style, characterized by its bold colors, story-telling elements, and innovative combination of quilt-making and painting, has made significant contributions to contemporary art. Her works, such as “Tar Beach,” intertwine personal experiences with broader political issues, addressing civil rights, gender equality, and the experiences of African American women. Ringgold continues to create and exhibit her work, and her influence on American art, particularly in the incorporation of craft into the fine arts, is widely recognized.
Jean-Paul Riopelle
Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923–2002) was a Canadian abstract artist known for his gestural, action painting style associated with Abstract Expressionism. Riopelle’s style, characterized by its thick impasto, vibrant colors, and energetic brushwork, often involved applying paint directly from the tube and then spreading it across the canvas with a palette knife. His works, such as “Pavane,” embody a sense of dynamism and spontaneity. Despite shifting trends in art, Riopelle continued to explore abstraction throughout his career, making him one of the most important figures in Canadian art and an influential member of the international art community.
Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera (1886–1957) was a prominent Mexican painter and muralist associated with the Mexican Mural Movement, a part of the broader post-revolutionary redefinition of Mexican identity. Rivera’s style, characterized by its bold colors, simplified shapes, and grand narrative scope, often tackled themes of social inequality, history, and the lives of the working class. His works, such as “Man at the Crossroads,” are large-scale murals that often adorn public buildings, demonstrating his belief in art as a tool for social change. Despite controversies during his life, Rivera’s influence on Mexican art and his role in promoting muralism as a popular form of public art are significant.
Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell (1894–1978) was an American author, painter, and illustrator celebrated for his poignant and humorous depictions of American culture. Rockwell’s style, characterized by its warm color palette, attention to detail, and narrative richness, is most famously showcased in his cover illustrations for “The Saturday Evening Post.” His works, such as “The Problem We All Live With,” range from light-hearted vignettes of everyday life to powerful commentaries on social issues. Despite criticism for his idealized portrayal of American life, Rockwell’s work remains emblematic of 20th-century American culture and his influence on popular visual culture is undeniable.
Anne Rothenstein
Anne Rothenstein (born 1949) is a British contemporary painter known for her unique and evocative depictions of interior and exterior spaces. Rothenstein’s style, characterized by its simplified forms, flat areas of color, and subtly suggestive narrative elements, creates an enigmatic and compelling visual language. Her works, such as “Woman in a Room,” convey a sense of calm and contemplation while leaving much to the viewer’s interpretation. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Rothenstein continues to produce and exhibit her work, and her distinct approach to painting offers a refreshing perspective on the possibilities of representation in contemporary art.
Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko (1903–1970) was an American abstract artist associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement. Rothko’s style, characterized by its large-scale, color-filled canvases and contemplative ambiance, sought to evoke a range of human emotions through color and form, or as he called it, the “simple expression of the complex thought.” His works, such as those in the “Rothko Chapel,” consist of layered rectangular fields of luminous color, designed to immerse the viewer in their glow. Despite his untimely death, Rothko’s contributions to abstract painting and his exploration of color’s emotional potential have left a profound impact on the history of modern art.
George Rouault
George Rouault (1871–1958) was a French painter, associated with Fauvism and Expressionism, known for his deeply humanistic and often religious themed artwork. Rouault’s style, characterized by its bold, saturated colors, thick black outlines, and dramatic contrasts, created a sense of depth and intensity in his works. His paintings, such as “The Old King,” often portrayed tragic figures from society’s margins with a profound sense of empathy and spiritual gravity. Despite the stylistic shifts in the art world, Rouault remained committed to his unique vision, exploring themes of human suffering and redemption throughout his career.
Henri Rousseau
Henri Rousseau (1844-1910), also known as Le Douanier Rousseau due to his job as a toll collector, was a French post-impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive style. Despite his lack of formal training, Rousseau’s style, characterized by its dreamlike aesthetic and precise, detailed portrayal of imaginary jungles and exotic subjects, had a significant influence on several avant-garde artists, including Picasso and the Surrealists. His iconic works, such as “The Dream” and “The Sleeping Gypsy,” are celebrated for their enchanting and enigmatic qualities.
Peter Paul Rubens
Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat, celebrated as one of the most influential artists of the Baroque tradition. Renowned for his energetic, sensual style and prolific output, Rubens’ works are characterized by their vibrant color, dynamic compositions, and robust, corpulent human figures. His subjects ranged from religious and mythological scenes to portraits and landscapes. Notable works, such as “The Descent from the Cross” and “The Massacre of the Innocents,” showcase his masterful handling of oil paint and ability to convey drama and movement. Rubens’ significant contributions left a lasting impact on European art.
Andrei Rublev
Andrei Rublev (circa 1360–1430) was a Russian monk and the most renowned medieval Russian Orthodox icon and fresco painter. His style, characterized by its spiritual depth, harmony, and balanced composition, significantly influenced the development of Russian iconography. His most famous work, the “Trinity,” is considered a masterpiece and represents the spiritual unity and equality of the Holy Trinity. Although few of his works have survived, Rublev’s contribution to the tradition of icon painting and his ability to convey a profound spiritual experience through his art remain significant in the history of religious art.
William Russell Flint
Sir William Russell Flint (1880–1969) was a Scottish artist and illustrator known for his watercolor paintings, often depicting female figures in historical and classical settings. Flint’s style, characterized by its precise detail, rich color palette, and mastery of the watercolor medium, evokes a romantic, dream-like quality. His works, such as “A Venetian Balcony,” exhibit his skill in capturing the play of light on figures and surfaces. Despite criticism for his sometimes idealized depictions of women, Flint’s contribution to watercolor painting and his distinctive blend of romanticism and realism remain appreciated by many art enthusiasts.
Rachel Ruysch
Rachel Ruysch (1664–1750) was a Dutch still-life painter known for her detailed and vibrant depictions of flowers and insects. As one of the few female painters of her time, Ruysch achieved considerable success during her long career, with her works being highly sought after by collectors. Her style, characterized by its dramatic composition, meticulous detail, and dynamic use of light and shadow, added a sense of vitality to the still-life genre. Works such as “Flower Still-Life” exemplify her masterful depiction of nature’s transience and beauty, securing her place in the history of Dutch Golden Age painting.
Mark Ryden
Mark Ryden (born 1963) is an American painter recognized as part of the Lowbrow (or Pop Surrealist) art movement. Ryden’s style, characterized by its intricate detail, cultural references, and often unsettling themes, blends elements of pop culture with techniques inspired by the Old Masters. His works, such as “The Meat Show – Paintings about Children, God, and USDA Grade A Beef,” often feature a juxtaposition of the innocent and the grotesque, inviting viewers into a surreal, symbol-laden world. Ryden’s work continues to challenge and fascinate audiences, and his impact on contemporary surrealism is significant.
Albert Pinkham Ryder
Albert Pinkham Ryder (1847–1917) was an American painter best known for his poetic and moody allegorical works and seascapes. Ryder’s style, characterized by its expressive brushwork, dramatic lighting, and often melancholic themes, departed from the detailed realism common in the late 19th century, anticipating aspects of modernist painting. His works, such as “The Race Track (Death on a Pale Horse),” were often compact but conveyed a grandeur and emotional intensity that belied their size. Despite a relatively small body of work, Ryder’s innovative approach to painting has made him a favorite among later generations of artists and critics.
Painters A, Painters B, Painters C, Painters D, Painters E, Painters F, Painters G, Painters H, Painters I, Painters J, Painters K, Painters L, Painters M, Painters N, Painters O, Painters P, Painters Q, Painters R, Painters S, Painters T, Painters U, Painters V, Painters W, Painters X, Painters Y, Painters Z
