It does not seem obvious to categorize marine paintings within the various Art History styles: Classicism, Neo-classicism, Romantism, Academism… Maybe better create new neologisms, what we tried to do.
For now, only “Modern Art” will be the subject of a special page.
Being unable to find a better classsification, all these “styles” are here in alphabetical order.
Portraitist
The traditional ship portait, sometimes a family work and/or extending on few generations, reached the top during XIXth century till the raising of photography which ruined the business. Each main harbour had its own. Anyway, many artists still make of one ship the main subject of the work, with sometimes a high concern in details. Again, more a theme than a style.
Underwater
Since the development of diving, many artists fom all countries, joined their passions for painting and diving, and some even paint under the surface. At least fifty of them are professionnaly working on the subject, with various quality and styles.
Superrealist
In order not to mix up with “Hyperrealism” which is a very specific short-lived current within last sixties, we use the “Superrealism” terminology to include artists pushing their skill and patience to the upmost (Chancellor could spend 1200 hours on a middle size painting) in order to get close to a photographic representation of events which occured before photography.
From the last quart of the XXth century, they are mostly British or American, and it is surprising to see how many, and how successful they are.
Surrealist
It is not really easy or obvious to go further than reality within Sea environment. Very few artists in this domain, but they deserve to be seen.
Charlatan
This style, widely spread in contemporary Art, does not exist more in Marine Art than on Sea. You can only paint the sea if you know the sea, and if you know the sea, you cannot be a charlatan.
Sumber: artetmer.com
