So what is painting? It would seem that everyone knows the answer to this simple question, but not everyone can formulate an answer. After all, any person has his own, different from others concept of this phenomenon.
If you ask the pragmatist what painting is, he will most likely say that this is a reproduction of the surrounding reality using various coloring means. That is, for a practical person, the mind takes part in this action, with the help of which the artisan creates his “masterpieces” with clearly verified lines and once and for all acquired technique.
Connoisseurs have always referred to such creations as the “lower style” of the decorative image.
The historian to the question: "What is painting?" - he will answer that this is one of the most important ancient arts, which originated at the dawn of time. And if at first primitive people translated exclusively materialized objects into stone, wood or bronze, then later, during the time of Ancient Egypt, they began to depict thoughts and feelings. Then symbolism appeared in painting - the art of showing a phenomenon or object figuratively.
The artist, like any other person who can subtly feel and understand the essence of things, answers the question: “What is painting?” - he will answer that this is an art that can transmit a special vision of the real world and influence the feelings of people around. This requires a special talent, spark, inspiration, a different view of things - you can call it differently, the main thing is to understand that someone is capable of becoming an artist, and someone is not. And even if you study hard for a long time and work hard, at best it will be possible to stamp unpretentious similar paintings. And nothing can be done, talent is measured out for everyone in different ways, and it has always been so. In each century, great masters were born and died, and often only after death did their canvases become known to the whole world.
The heyday of painting was the Renaissance, which gave the world such great masters as Titian, Botticelli, Masaccio, Rembrandt, Vermeer and many others. After their time was over, critics more than once gave the visual arts the diagnosis of "decline and tastelessness." However, years passed, and already new artists were erected on the podium, such as Matisse, Renoir, Picasso, Aivazovsky and a whole legion who followed them.
Fine art is alive and now, for example, modern oil painting is represented by canvases by John Marcos, Robert Zeller, Jerry Winx. Perhaps, in 150-200 years, their paintings will go from auctions for a crazy price, and they will have their followers, like the Dutch and Spanish Renaissance masters. Contemporary Russian painting also boasts such names as Anton Semenov, Georgy Dmitriev, Evgeny Balakshin, so in our country this art is still relevant.
Why do we need painting in the age of electronics and all kinds of video devices? Perhaps soon this art will cease to exist? I think not, just as books, theater, opera and ballet did not die. Most likely, painting will remain the lot of a certain number of experts, as well as wealthy people. That is, nothing will change, since this high art has always been only for the elite and the circle of connoisseurs.