Pablo Picasso and Sylvette David

By Jonathan Shih

In the spring of 1954, Pablo Picasso met Sylvette David in Vallauris, France. Captivated by her sharp profile and serene grace, she created over 40 works inspired by her. Photographs from this period, including those of François Pages and Willy Rizzo, document their collaboration and Picasso's creative process.

Her Portrait of Sylvette David, an oil on canvas (130.7 x 97.2 cm), was donated by Mary and Leigh Block and is exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago. Years later, Sylvette became an artist under the name of Lydia Corbett. Their brief but influential connection remains a celebrated chapter in art history.

Vincent Van Gogh and the Avande Garde

By Jonathan Shih

In 1887, a rare and iconic photograph captured one of the most significant moments in art history. The image features Vincent van Gogh, positioned third from the left with his signature pipe, alongside fellow artist Paul Gauguin, who stands to the right. The photo was taken in Montmartre, Paris, a neighborhood that was at the heart of the avant-garde movement during the late 19th century. In the photograph, van Gogh and Gauguin are flanked by Émile Bernard, Félix Jobbé-Duval, an anonymous individual, and André Antoine, a theater director. This gathering represents a pivotal moment when these brilliant minds crossed paths, influencing each other’s work and shaping the direction of modern art.

The relationship between van Gogh and Gauguin was tumultuous yet incredibly influential. Despite their differing personalities and artistic philosophies, the two artists shared a deep respect for each other’s talent. Their time together in Arles, which was marked by intense collaboration and frequent conflicts, laid the foundation for some of van Gogh’s most famous works, including the iconic Yellow House and The Bedroom. Gauguin’s style, which was characterized by bold colors and simplified forms, had a lasting impact on van Gogh’s later work, even as their friendship deteriorated. The photograph taken in Montmartre symbolizes not only their artistic bond but also the profound impact they had on each other’s creative journeys.

This photograph, taken by the photographer Félix Nadar, provides a unique glimpse into the lives of two artists who would go on to revolutionize the art world. Despite the challenges they faced, their collaboration represents one of the most remarkable artistic pairings in history. The Montmartre neighborhood, teeming with artists and intellectuals, provided the perfect backdrop for these two visionary figures to meet. "Art is not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to shape it," van Gogh once said, and this gathering of minds in 1887 truly exemplifies this spirit of transformation.

Art’s Annihilation: Why AI Cannot Replicate the Artistic Soul

By Jonathan Shih

The recent move by OpenAI to allow users to recreate images in the iconic style of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli has stirred up a controversy. And rightly so.

The recent viral trend of generating Studio Ghibli-style images through AI is not just a plaything to revel in; it's profoundly disrespect to the art of creation itself, and the care and love poured into art by its creators.

Art is not a mathematical equation to be solved, but a deeply human expression of emotion, struggle, and imagination. When we allow AI to replicate the distinctive styles of master artists like Miyazaki, we're not celebrating creativity—we're commodifying it. Every paintbrush stroke, every carefully drawn frame represents hours of human passion, cultural understanding, and personal journey.

Artists don't just create images. They create windows into different worlds, different perspectives. An algorithm might generate a beautiful picture, but it cannot capture the soul behind the art.

Protect artistic integrity. Celebrate human creativity. Reject the notion that art can be reduced to computational patterns.

Art is human. Keep it that way.

Toilet Paper

By Jonathan Shih

Gerhard Richter’s “Toilet Paper” (1965): The Most Sophisticated Roll in Art History

Forget the Mona Lisa’s smile—true artistic mystery lies in a single roll of toilet paper, immortalized in oil paint. In 1965, Gerhard Richter, the master of blurred photorealism, decided to elevate the most humble of household items to high art. The result? A soft-focus, ethereal depiction of a toilet roll that looks like it’s about to whisper the secrets of the universe… or remind you that you forgot to buy more.

Richter’s choice of subject raises profound questions:

✔ Is this a commentary on consumer culture?

✔ A meditation on impermanence?

✔ Or just an early warning that we should all stock up before the next global shortage?

One thing’s for sure—if Duchamp gave us the urinal, Richter gave us the response. A true artistic mic drop… or maybe just a gentle roll.

Leo Castelli and Leo Castelli Gallery Artists

By Jonathan Shih

 

Leo Castelli and gallery artists at the Odeon restaurant, in New York City, for the 25th anniversary of the Castelli Gallery, 1982, including Jasper Johns (eighth from left), Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Richard Serra, among others.

Standing left - right: Ellsworth Kelly, Dan Flavin, Joseph Kosuth, Richard Serra, Lawerence Weiner, Nassos Daphnis, Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Salvatore Scarpitta, Richard Artschwager, Mia Westerlund Roosen, Cletus Johnson, Keith Sonnier Seated left - right: Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Leo Castelli, Ed Ruscha, James Rosenquist, Robert Barry.

Photograph by Hans Namuth/Courtesy of the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona/©1991 Hans Namuth Estate

Josef Albers on how to teach Art

 By Jonathan Shih

Josef Albers: "I have not taught painting because it cannot be taught. I have taught seeing. What I've taught was the philosophy of form, the philosophy of lines, the philosophy of colors."

Josef Albers, born in 1888, believed that teaching art is not a matter of imparting rules, styles, or techniques but of leading students to a greater awareness of what they are seeing. He said his goal as a teacher was "to open eyes." In celebration of the artist's birthday, visit the link in bio to explore Affinities: Anni Albers, Josef Albers, Paul Klee-an exhibition on view at our 20th Street gallery in New York through April 19—which presents work by three artists in dialogue.

📸Photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson

source:@davidzwirner

Metropolis

By Jonathan Shih

"Metropolis" (1927) is a groundbreaking German expressionist sci-fi film directed by Fritz Lang, set in a futuristic urban dystopia. The cityscapes in the film were influenced by the functionalist Modernism and Art Deco skyscrapers Lang observed during his first visit to New York in 1924. These elaborate miniatures of towering buildings and sprawling urban landscapes became iconic, influencing the visual style of future dystopian films. Lang's vision of a divided society between the wealthy elite and oppressed workers resonates as one of cinema’s most influential visual masterpieces.

Montmartre Stories

By Jonathan Shih

 

In 1904, Emmanuel Pottier captured a poignant moment of Parisian life on Rue de Ravignan in Montmartre, Paris' vibrant 18th arrondissement. Montmartre, historically known for its bohemian culture, was a hub for artists, writers, and musicians, and by the early 20th century, it had become a symbol of Parisian artistic spirit. During this time, the neighborhood was home to many famous figures, including artists like Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Pablo Picasso, whose presence imbued the streets with creativity and a sense of revolutionary change in the art world. Rue de Ravignan, like many streets in Montmartre, was characterized by its narrow pathways and the distinct Parisian charm, bustling with cafés, bistros, and the ever-present hum of cultural exchange. The photograph taken by Pottier in 1904 perfectly captures the essence of this era.

The early 20th century was a period of significant transformation for Montmartre. The construction of the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which was completed in 1914, had just begun, further adding to the area's allure. It was also a time when Paris was becoming the cultural capital of Europe, drawing in international visitors and artists who were eager to be part of its creative pulse. Pottier’s photograph offers a glimpse into this dynamic world, portraying the simplicity of daily life set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving Paris. Montmartre was not just a place for avant-garde artists; it was a community that encapsulated the essence of Parisian charm and elegance, making it a landmark of both artistic and cultural importance.

The streets of Montmartre during this period were alive with stories—each corner brimming with the potential for artistic and personal discovery. The neighborhood's significance in the history of art, from the Impressionist movement to the rise of Modernism, cannot be overstated. The area was a refuge for artists like Georges Braque and Amedeo Modigliani, who sought inspiration from the lively atmosphere. Rue de Ravignan, through Pottier’s lens, immortalizes the essence of this vibrant time and place in Paris.

Reflections by Brad Pitt

 By Jonathan Shih

Brad Pitt's reflection, "I always liked those moments of epiphany, when you have the next destination," encapsulates a profound appreciation for pivotal life moments that steer one's path forward. This sentiment was captured by renowned photographer Mark Seliger during a 1994 photoshoot in Mexico, resulting in images that exude a raw and introspective energy.

In December 1994, Seliger photographed Pitt for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, coinciding with the release of Interview with the Vampire. Seliger noted, "There was nothing else around to pull him away from being involved." The collaboration marked the beginning of a lasting professional relationship, with Seliger observing, "When Brad commits to something, he goes all in, 100 percent." 

The 1990s were a transformative period for Brad Pitt, propelling him from a rising actor to a household name. His roles in films like Fight Club (1999) and The Mexican (2001) showcased his versatility and solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Pitt's collaborations with photographers like Seliger contributed to a nuanced public persona, blending his on-screen intensity with off-screen introspection.

The 1994 Mexico photoshoot remains a testament to Pitt's depth and Seliger's ability to capture authentic moments. These images not only document a significant period in Pitt's career but also invite viewers to reflect on their own moments of epiphany and personal growth.

The Chupa Chups Logo

By Jonathan Shih

Salvador Dalí designed the Chupa Chups logo in 1969, with a flower shape and colors red and yellow, placing it on the top of the wrapper to maximize its visibility. Chupa Chups, created in 1959 by Enric Bernat, came from the idea of adding a stick to candy to prevent kids from getting dirty. With a sticky name and innovative design, it became a global phenomenon, selling in more than 108 countries.

The Castle of the Pyrenées by René Magritte

Jonathan Shih

René Magritte (Belgian, 1898–1967), The Castle of the Pyrenées, 1959, 200 x 145 cm, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

This painting was commissioned by Magritte’s longtime friend, the international lawyer, poet, and author Harry Torczyner. Encouraged to express his opinions on the choice of a subject, Torczyner selected one of a large rock surmounted by a castle. Intimately acquainted with the artist’s repertoire, Torczyner added the  suggestion of a sky on a clear day and a rough darkish sea “because over the dark sea or ocean there rises the rock of hope, topped by a fortress, a castle.”

Hiroo Isono (1945-2013) Japanese Painter

By Jonathan Shih

Hiroo Isono (1945-2013) Japanese Painter

Hiroo Isono (磯野宏夫), a name that resonates with the vibrancy of nature itself, stands as one of Japan’s most distinctive artists. Renowned for his vivid, dreamlike depictions of forests, tropical landscapes, and animals, Isono’s works are a visual symphony where fantasy and the natural world collide.

Born in 1945 in the tranquil Aichi Prefecture, he embarked on his artistic journey after graduating from the Fine Arts Department of Aichi University of Education in 1968. But Isono wasn’t just any artist. His brush seemed to carry the very essence of nature, blending color and form in a way that makes you feel as if you were wandering through an untouched forest, hearing the rustle of leaves and the distant call of unseen creatures.

Harry Gruyaert: Homeland

 By Jonathan Shih

“I’m excited about what I see, it’s about pleasure, it’s about the sheer joy of looking."

Homeland, the latest book by Belgian photographer Harry Gruyaert, retraces half a century of images devoted to Belgium. This new book brings together his pioneering work in color, as well as three portfolios of black-and-white images taken in the 1970s. 

Gruyaert’s beloved Belgian homeland always has a way of beckoning him back. Decades in the making, Homeland is a compilation in which beauty meets the banal, immersing the viewer in the vibrancy and physicality of his birthplace, from carnivals and parades to beaches and nightclubs.

Writer Brice Matthieussent insists that “Harry Gruyaert surely took his best photographs in his native Flanders, [...] conveying a remarkable sense of place.” On his own gravitation towards Belgium, Gruyaert imagines it’s a deep cultural affinity “that comes from maybe centuries ago.” 

Barry Lyndon

By Jonathan Shih

"Barry Lyndon" is a 1975 masterpiece directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel by William Makepeace Thackeray. The film tells the story of Redmond Barry, a young Irishman who, through a series of adventures and misadventures, climbs the 18th-century social ladder to become Barry Lyndon. Kubrick employs his signature visual style, using natural light and candles to create a pictorial aesthetic reminiscent of the time frames, which gives the film an unparalleled visual authenticity. The narrative, divided into two acts, reflects Barry's evolution from a humble adventurer to arrogant noble, and ultimately, his downfall.

Kubrick’s direction is meticulous and detailed, with innovative use of the camera, especially in interior and landscape scenes, achieving an immersive atmosphere. Classical music, with compositions by Handel, Bach, and Schubert, perfectly complements the ambience and tone of the film, reinforcing the sense of timeliness and majesty. Ryan O'Neal's performance as Barry is remarkable, capturing both the character's initial charm and his subsequent moral and emotional decline.

"Barry Lyndon" received four Oscars in 1976: Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Adapted Soundtrack. A curious fact about the production is that Kubrick used special lenses developed by NASA to film indoor scenes solely by candlelight, a revolutionary technique that contributed significantly to the unique atmosphere of the film.

Robert Rauschenberg: Pop Art Pioneer

 By Jonathan Shih

Robert Rauschenberg (1925 – 2008) was an influential American painter and graphic artist whose early works laid the groundwork for the Pop Art movement. 

He is particularly renowned for his 'Combines', a series of artworks produced between 1954 and 1964 that merged everyday objects with traditional art materials, effectively blurring the line between painting and sculpture. 

While Rauschenberg primarily focused on painting and sculpture, he also explored photography, printmaking, paper making, and performance art.

Over his nearly 60-year artistic career, Rauschenberg received numerous accolades, including the prestigious International Grand Prize in Painting at the 32nd Venice Biennale in 1964 and the National Medal of Arts in 1993.

He spent his life creating art in New York City and on Captiva Island, Florida, until his passing on May 12, 2008.