Genre Painting: A Screenshot of Life
By Emma Hapner, April 9, 2024
One of the best parts of studying art history, is the insight it gives us, the viewers, into the past. We are so fortunate to have artworks that give a detailed account of the lives of the people who came before us. One art movement that can really help us get an idea of what life was like is called genre painting
Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c. 1658
Genre painting is a type of art that shows scenes of everyday life. It was popular in the Netherlands during the 17th century. Artists painted ordinary people doing regular things like eating, working, or chatting. They wanted to capture what life was like and sometimes add a message or story. These paintings give us a peek into how people lived back then and what they valued. Artists paid close attention to details to make their scenes feel real and relatable. Looking at these paintings can make us think about what life was like in the past and how it compares to today.
Jan Steen, As the Old Sing, So Pipe the Young, c. 1668 - 1670
Many renowned artists have contributed to the genre of painting throughout history. In the Dutch Golden Age, artists like Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, and Pieter de Hooch excelled in portraying scenes of everyday life with stunning detail and depth. Vermeer is famous for his masterful use of light and color, captured intimate moments in domestic settings, while Jan Steen often depicted lively and humorous scenes of Dutch peasant life. Pieter de Hooch, known for his skillful portrayal of interior spaces and use of perspective, depicted scenes of middle-class life with warmth and realism. These artists not only showcased the beauty of ordinary moments but also provided insights into the social and cultural fabric of their time.
Pieter de Hooch, The Courtyard of a House in Delft, c. 1658
Genre painting continues to be a significant and vibrant part of contemporary art. While the themes and styles have evolved over time, artists today still explore scenes of everyday life, capturing the nuances of human experience in mediums like painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art. Contemporary genre painters draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, including urban life, suburban landscapes, family dynamics, social interactions, and pop culture. They continue to offer insights into contemporary society, reflecting on issues such as identity, consumerism, technology, relationships, and the environment
Xiao Wang, Fire Hazard, Oil on canvas, 48”x60” 2023
Contemporary artist Xiao Wang creates what I consider to be modern day genre paintings. Xiao is a Chinese born, New York based figurative painter primarily working with oil paint to create constructed scenes that are often inspired by and sourced from real life settings. The paintings combine dramatic, moody color palettes with a realist approach. Wang’s work captures feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, drawing attention to the mental burdens brought on by many of the issues of the contemporary. Many of his pieces are voiced from his perspective as a Chinese immigrant who is navigating through the experience of being trapped between two worlds.
Xiao Wang, Nightcap, Oil on canvas, 40”x32” 2023
In addition to capturing scenes of everyday life, while exploring modern themes, Wang also alludes to the traditions of still life within his paintings. His technical virtuosity is showcased within the variety of skillfully painted surfaces; wood, glass, metal, fabric, and even the delicately curving peels of citrus fruits alongside objects that speak to the times, like an electric toothbrush and Christmas lights.. Additionally, Wang’s color palette holds the intensity of the modern age in his electric, encompassing hues of blue, that make the warmth of candle light even more prominent.
Isabel Betsill, Self-Portrait, Acrylic on Canvas, 2024
Another artist currently working within this genre is Isabel Betsill, an emerging multimedia artist utilizing painting, sculpture, drawing, and performance in pieces that contemplate intimacy, comfort, and femininity as pertains to her lived experience as a young, queer woman. Her recent bodies of work have been concerned with social rules surrounding friendship and intimacy, particularly for women.
Isabel Betsill, Self-Portrait with Fridge, Acrylic on Canvas, 2024
Betsill’s painterly brushstrokes and domestic settings are undoubtably contemporary, and are also highly relatable. They are indulgent; manifesting guilty pleasures and fantasies like a midnight snack, or eating cake in the bath, with an underlying tone of loneliness and melancholy. These modern day genre scenes are crafted with a freshness and immediacy that brings each painting to life.
Aidan Barker-Hill, Watermelon Picnic, oil on canvas, 2023
Another artist, that I greatly admire, making contemporary genre paintings, is the incredibly talented Aiden Barker-Hill. With the humor of Jan Steen and the form sense of Bouguereau, each meticulously crafted piece is a window into the imagination of the artist. Barker-Hill’s oil paintings are a testament to his mastery of the medium, showcasing a rich depth and texture that draws viewers into his world while offering a contemporary reinterpretation of this classical art form.
Aidan Barker-Hill, Sunscreen, oil on canvas, 2022
Barker-Hill infuses a playful humor into his compositions, offering viewers a refreshing and engaging perspective on modern life. Through bold colors, whimsical characters, and clever juxtapositions, he creates a visual narrative that delights and surprises. Each painting exudes a sense of warmth and authenticity that leaves a lasting impression on those who experience them. His modern genre paintings serve as a mirror to society, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities and absurdities of the modern world while also finding moments of connection and resonance.
