Painting is anarchic and democratic, not commercial
Painting, once dismissed as commercial and muscular, is now thriving due to its anarchic, introverted, and democratic qualities. The article argues that painting's low production costs, portability, and intimate scale make it well-suited to the current introverted mood shaped by pandemics, hikikomori, and geopolitical anxiety. It rejects the idea that painting is merely a market-driven trend, noting that the art market in 2025 can sell anything labeled as art. The text cites historical precedents like German Expressionism and works such as Picasso's Guernica to counter accusations of disengagement. The author, Pericle Guaglianone, concludes that painting's anarchic and introverted nature may make it the most effective medium for political storytelling today.
Key facts
- Painting was previously considered commercial and muscular.
- The art market in 2025 can sell anything labeled as art.
- Painting has low production costs and does not require large studios.
- Painting is portable and intimate, suited to introverted times.
- The current trend in painting is nocturnal, intimist, and hallucinated.
- Historical precedents include German Expressionism and Guernica.
- Painting is accused of being disengaged, but can be politically impactful.
- The author is Pericle Guaglianone.
Entities
Artists
- Pericle Guaglianone
- Otto Dix
- James Ensor
- Pablo Picasso
Institutions
- Artribune