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Neo-classical paintings were reintroduced to
the modern art world by Richard Franklin (1961-
1997). His art is inexorably linked with the Old
Masters of the seventeenth century and the
neo-classical school of paintings. In the late
1980's and early 1990's Franklin pioneered a
movement back to the classics that art dealers,
galleries, designers and other artist all over the
nation emulated. Richard Franklin was
fascinated with the human figure. He went to
life-drawing classes regularly, taught portrait-in-
oil, worked toward mastery in sculpture, etching,
photography and neo-classical painting.
Franklin spent several years of his childhood in
European countries. He spent his youth in awe
of the fresco-style washes, textures and contrasts
in paintings and murals of the Old Masters. He
did not realize this early training would have a
profound affect on his choice of career later
in life.
Richard Franklin appreciated what time could
do to canvasses. The appearance of an old
crumbling wall adds character to his work and
incorporates some faux decrepitude in his
strokes. His paintings reflect heart and soul on
every canvas. He recaptures the enduring
beauty and balance of a timeless curve of the
human body.
Poetry of the nineteenth century was a great
inspiration to Franklin. He titled several of his
paintings after characters: Thisbe, Eos, Donna
Velata and Flora. He was also captivated by
Greek Mythology. He painted the emotions he
felt from each story, such as: Aphrodite, Pan's
Song, Electra and Adonis. Franklin was a
sensitive and deep thinking man. He depicted
the emotions and feelings of each figure he
painted.
Richard Franklin was killed in a small plane
accident in 1997, at the peak of his artistic
career. He was 35 years of age. Richard left us
with numerous original paintings and a fine
graphics program yet to be completed.
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