Jiri (George) Kovats
Prague Bridges, 1985
oil on canvas
28" x 22"
It is a real pleasure to be receiving more painting submissions. This is a great forum to be sharing our oil painting creations, and the styles that we like to paint in. Please, keep the submissions coming!
Today, I'd like to introduce the work of Jiri (George) Kovats, originally of Prague. The painting submitted is entitled "Prague Bridges", measuring 28" x 22". It is oil on canvas, created in 1985 and indicative of a style gaining new popularity called "16th Century Photorealism".
Although I have to admit that I am not experienced with this new movement of "16th Century Photorealism", it is easy to see that the motivation of the style is of Dutch and Flemish 16th century painters. These Northern Renaissance painters used a realism approach to painting with such attention to detail that it could be comparable to Photorealism today. In fact, it was during the Renaissance that perspective was developed as an element of art in order to depict a more accurate reality. ArtWeb has an extensive collection of links on these painters, including Jan van Eyck who is famed with inventing oil painting.
Kovats' painting portrays a beautiful view of bridges in Prague. He believes that Old Prague is the "most beautiful city in the world", but he didn't need to tell us that, his painting does.
At first glance, without knowing Kovats' inspiration first hand, I immediately see the influence of the Flemish painters within the color and perspective of the piece. Unfortunately, it is hard to appreciate the details of the piece through a digital reproduction, but there is no mistaking the effort put forth to render a realistic expression of the city through careful detail. It seems as if every leaf has been painted on each tree, including each shadow and highlight to bring them to life. I can also get a feel of the fine rendering quality of the painting that persuades me to imagine that a well executed glazing technique was used. Rarely can realism be achieved in such a way without many painstaking layers. Finally, the nearly scientific application of perspective shows careful consideration toward realism, and again indicative of the 16th Century painters.
Mr. Kovats, I have very much enjoyed your painting, as the Northern Renaissance is one of my favorite periods in art history. Thank you very much for sharing your work with us.
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