Jillian Augustine, Arts & Tech Editor
@jillaugcourant
1. Alfred Stevens
Alfred Stevens was born in Belgium in 1823, and worked as a painter until his death on August 24 of 1906. He is most known for his paintings of elegant women and elaborate, rich scenes. He also often incorporated elements of Japonisme, a fashionable taste for Japanese aesthetics in European art, in his paintings. Stevens experienced great success in his career in the 1860’s, which carried through to the end of his career. My personal favorite part of Alfred Stevens’ work is the dream-like color and blending techniques that he uses not only in the skies and the nature, but also in the people that he paints. The element of surrealism that Alfred encompasses in his art creates feelings of elegance and softness. Favorite Alfred Stevens: “Un Soir À La Mer” 
2. Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe was an American artist born in November of 1887. Most famous for her paintings of flowers, skyscrapers, and landscapes, O’Keeffe soon became known as the “Mother of American Modernism.” Through the use of bold colors and careful strokes, O’Keeffe pioneered a recognizable and interesting style of the time. However, her work was not always so vibrant. Georgia actually began her career by doing charcoal drawings, and in 1916 these drawings were featured in her first gallery show in New York. As Georgia traveled from Texas, to Hawaii, to Mexico, her art became more radiant as she was influenced by the nature and landscapes around her. In the year 1962, when O’Keeffe was 75, she developed a medical condition that left her with only her peripheral vision. O’Keeffe didn’t let this stop her from doing the work that she loved, but she did go back to creating the charcoal drawings that started her off in the art world. Georgia’s work is a bit different from what I typically like in that it includes more solid structures and brighter colors. Typically, I’m not a fan of Modernism, but Georgia accomplishes this style in a captivating way with bright flowers and open mountain ranges that inspire dreams of travel and the beauty of nature. Overall, my favorite part of O’Keeffe’s work is how she so clearly shows the world through her eyes in her color choices. Favorite O’Keeffe: “Outback of Marie’s No. IV”
3. Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt was born in Austria in 1862 and spent a majority of his life focusing on symbolic paintings, murals, and sketches. He started out doing conventional architectural works, but as he continued on with art he developed a unique style and began to turn his focus towards the female body. Klimt then became known for the element of eroticism that his pieces convey, and this actually got him into a bit of trouble as critics labeled his work in the Great Hall of the University of Vienna as “pornographic.” When I visited the MoMA, I got to see some of Klimt’s art. In person, I was blown away by the intricacy and detail that took up the canvas. The colors seemed to contrast perfectly and the patterns were something that I couldn’t keep my eyes off of. That would be my favorite aspect of Klimt’s work: his use of various patterns and crazy distinctions surrounding the subject, but also, how every painting of his includes an almost romanticized and realistic face that pops out and adds yet another feature of contrast. Favorite Klimt: “Serpents”
4. Amedeo Modigliani
Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian Jewish painter born in 1884 who did most of his painting and sculpting out of his home in France. He was most well known for his portraits that feature plain, somber-looking people, drawn with thick lines and full colors. The distinguishing detail of Modigliani’s work is his technique of elongating figures and faces to give a unique and almost ghostly effect. Modigliani didn’t experience much fame during his lifetime, however after his death in January of 1920, at the young age of 35, his works became very popular. A key part of Amedeo’s career is that he didn’t classify his work into one category. Painting and sculpting in the golden period of art styles, Amedeo took a gentle approach to his art, painting what he wanted to and not limiting himself to one form of art. My favorite aspect of Modigliani’s work is the unique look of the people that he paints. He portrays the faces with disproportionate features: big eyes and noses matching with small lips and very shapely faces. Then when it comes to the torso and the background of the painting, Emilio opts for a more impressionist style, with short strokes of the brush to give off a more dreamy look. This incorporation of different styles is what makes Modigliani one of my favorite artists. Favorite Modigliani: “Christina” 
5. Claude Monet
Claude Monet, born November of 1840, was one of the biggest names in French Impressionist painting, essentially founding the movement and remaining a prolific name in art ever since. The term “Impressionist” actually spawned from one of Monet’s first pieces, titled “Impression, Sunrise”. Monet’s goal in his paintings was to capture the beauty of the French countryside. He did so using vibrant colors and small strokes so that the viewer wasn’t looking at specific details in the pieces, but rather how the colors and lines exist together to create one harmonious scene. My favorite part of Monet’s work is the colors that he uses. Not only does he chose a variety of shades and tints for just one painting, but he blends them in such a way that makes the pictures seem very real and natural, while also maintaining his Impressionist style. This is a great balance that creates movement in his pieces and allows the eye to look at it as a whole rather than focus on small parts. Favorite Monet: “Sea Study” 
*Jillian’s favorites fall in no particular order
