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Artist Puts Masks On Classical Paintings, And Instagram Is Loving It (30 Pics)
Interview With Artist
Not all art has an apparent purpose in the beginning, but in the end, it turns out to be very relevant. Volker Hermes has been creating a series of "Hidden Portraits" for over 10 years, where he manipulates photos of classical paintings tangled up in head accessories. It seemed like an innocent play of imagination until it became very poignant when the COVID-19 pandemic took place.
Artwork itself is best at explaining itself. The second best option is an artist's explanation. Luckily, we have both options. Here's what Volker told Bored Panda about his project: "first of all, I am an artist, a painter. My photo collages are a reflection on the social meaning and our treatment of old masters. I don't paint them because I think it's no longer contemporary to paint that way, so I decided to do Photoshop interventions."
More info: Instagram | volkerhermes.de | Facebook
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Bacony Cakes 4 years ago
This double ruff is preposterous and postposterous! I'm calling a constable!
"I have great respect for incredible historical paintings. I don't add anything to the outside portraits, all the modifications come from the painting itself. I pay attention to the characteristics of the artists, brushstrokes, light, etc. My interventions should be as plausible as possible."
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Hermione Granger 4 years ago (edited)
...or breathe! Look at her waist! 😬
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Anna Sadacca 4 years ago
there ya' go wench...ya' stuffs my mum up for yer hat...i'll stuffs ye up just for a wee bit o'fun!
"Portraits were commissioned only by the elite. They were amazingly expensive and are full of codes and allusions in clothing or with attributes that refer to a high rank, which we no longer understand because our society is different. That's why we today look at the portrayed ones mostly in the face, because we don't understand the codes of the rest of the picture anymore. I block this access—I cover the person and one must now look at the painting completely differently. But I use allusions to our society today, so I bring together the past and the present."
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Karen Grace 4 years ago
That would be really hard on the neck and shoulder from having such limited motion.
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I'm lay sheep in China 4 years ago
To show man that she's already taken so that they won't annoy her
Load More Replies... Anna Sadacca 4 years ago
Jiffy pop is ready...how are my eyes...do i look stoned?...here...hide my snuff
"I studied painting at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. I started my project on historical portraits more than 10 years ago and have continued it consistently parallel to my painting. In my paintings, I often reflect on historical contexts, but it is anything but old-masterly.I taught myself how to edit images with Photoshop and I use this programme probably quite unconventionally, always from a painter's point of view."
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"Since the project has been going on for so long, the current pandemic has not directly affected my work, because, of course, my project is not about medical masks. But I now know what life with masks feels like and that is really new. And the attention for my work has become much higher, which is absolutely amazing.
I have many painters that I like very much—after all, we are talking about a very long period of time. To pick out one would not be fair."
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Lydia Gichia-Black 4 years ago
Mask matches/made from the top design of his stockings. GQ all the way.
Anna Sadacca 4 years ago
ok...ok, so yer' left handed...still got to put your britches on one leg at a time...
Julia Atkinson 4 years ago
When you want to beat someone to a bloody pulp without running the risk of spreading those newfangled "germs"
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Glynna Bowood 4 years ago
Artist did a fantastic job depicting the velvet and the fur; even the pearls of the necklace have weight and a realistic luster.
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Susan Mercurio 4 years ago
Did the original portrait really have a frilly hat with pink bows, or did you Photoshop it on? It doesn't go with her outfit at all.
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Anna Sadacca 4 years ago
get into silk sheets with all that satin and you have yourself a greased pig
Lydia Gichia-Black 4 years ago
Where does it begin/end.... Oh, and be careful. Someone might slip you a Mickey.
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Ammie Gunter 4 years ago
That's the point? All of the masks are based on what they are wearing
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Lydia Gichia-Black 4 years ago
Fancy fern leaf mask, check. Awesome purple hair dye, check. Pretty pink bedazzled headband, oh yeah!
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Anna Sadacca 4 years ago
after his last battle they realized the suit of armor would require stronger head pretection
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Julia Atkinson 4 years ago
I hope the mouthpiece closes by means of a cunningly-concealed zipper
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What do you think ?
Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago
This photoshop hack should at least mention the legit artists he's riffing off of. Or ripping off.
Bettye McKee 4 years ago
I did not enjoy this one. I didn't recognize most of the art, it was silly and was not relevant to masking as we are experiencing it today. I would have welcomed some lighthearted humor, but this was not it.
Jenny McKeown 4 years ago
Agreed, it just felt weird, not amusing or like a real commentary on the world today
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Bruce Robb 4 years ago
I guess I don't understand the ones that have the eyes covered. The ones with eyes uncovered, OK; eye holes, OK. But the rest? No.
Bob Morrison 4 years ago
I simply loved these artworks. I find myself drawn back to them time and again. The original paintings and the masks are so carefully chosen that they feel as if these are the originals
Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago
This photoshop hack should at least mention the legit artists he's riffing off of. Or ripping off.
Bettye McKee 4 years ago
I did not enjoy this one. I didn't recognize most of the art, it was silly and was not relevant to masking as we are experiencing it today. I would have welcomed some lighthearted humor, but this was not it.
Jenny McKeown 4 years ago
Agreed, it just felt weird, not amusing or like a real commentary on the world today
Load More Replies... Bruce Robb 4 years ago
I guess I don't understand the ones that have the eyes covered. The ones with eyes uncovered, OK; eye holes, OK. But the rest? No.
Bob Morrison 4 years ago
I simply loved these artworks. I find myself drawn back to them time and again. The original paintings and the masks are so carefully chosen that they feel as if these are the originals
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