The Return Of The Value Of Figurative Painting In Modern And Contemporary Western Countries

This paper studies the value return of contemporary and modern western figurative paintings,with the exhibition "New Spirit in Paintings" in the UK in 1981 as a starting point.Proceeding from the exhibition,it analyzes the development of figurative paintings in art history as a response to the past and with influence on the future.The first chapter discusses the importance of the exhibition and its worldwide impact.And painters from Germany,Italy,the US,and the UK,four major countries involved in the exhibition,are analyzed.Their works have proved convincingly that the figurative painting does not come to an end,but presents a huge potential for development.Their creation and practice provide great support and solid evidence for the development of contemporary and modern figurative paintings,where the value of this exhibition lies.The second chapter sorts out the vertical process of the return of modern and contemporary figurative paintings in the West.There are three phases: Phase I: Representation of traditional realistic paintings from the Renaissance to Impressionism;Phase II: Rebellion of early modernist paintings from post-impressionism to abstract expressionism;Phase III: Return of figurative paintings in the 1980 s.The third chapter illustrates the inheritance and transformation of the concept of new figurative paintings.Different from traditional paintings,the new figurative paintings are not confined in objective representation,pure narration and a fixed aesthetic taste.Its concept points to the true feelings and spiritual pursuits of people in modern life.The fourth chapter is about the representation and reconstruction of the new figurative painting language.It considers that the language of new figurative paintings is reconstructed based on traditional ones through the deconstruction and reconstruction of the styling language,the spatial processing toward flattening and the abstraction of brushstrokes.The fifth chapter figures out the value return of modern and contemporary figurative paintings.First,it is about the contemporary value of new figurative paintings in the West.The return of the painterly nature is advocated in the contemporary context,which brings back the focus on painting techniques.Besides,the essence of human nature is revealed.That is to return to the present,echo the reality,and express the inner truth of the person.Second,it is about the response from China.Chinese painters are undoubtedly subject to the influence of the western new figurative painters in terms of concept and language.However,we should not blindly worship the western painters when learning from them,but should base ourselves on the local conditions and absorb the traditional Chinese culture.Only in this way can we create new figurative paintings peculiar to China.Third,it is about self-exploration.I have been obsessed with the superb skills and contemporary expression of new figurative paintings.