Ancient Buddhism and Buddhist Art

Buddha, Probably Amitabha Amituofo | Early 7th century | China | Metropolitan Museum of Art

The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present. Buddhism arose in the eastern part of Ancient India, in and around the ancient Kingdom of Magadha (now in Bihar, India), and is based on the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama.

The religion evolved as it spread from the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent through Central, East, and Southeast Asia. At one time or another, it influenced most of the Asian continent.

The history of Buddhism is also characterized by the development of numerous movements, schisms, and schools, among them the Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, with contrasting periods of expansion and retreat.

Josephine Wall (British, 1947)

"The art of painting is more than a career to me", she says, "it is an all consuming obsession and a love of colour and form. In fact, if I am away from my easel for too long I become restless and anxious to paint again" - Josephine Wall.

Wall's paintings are mainly influenced and inspired by Arthur Rackham, with lesser influences from surrealist artists such as Magritte and Dalí, and the romanticism of the pre-Raphaelites.

A number of her works were exhibited in Teheran and Tokyo during 1974 and her first solo exhibition took place the following year in Swindon. Josephine and her paintings were the subject of a special feature on Southern Television in 1990.

Following a visit to the Spring Fair in Birmingham in 1993 she signed contracts with firms in Britain and Switzerland to publish her work as prints, posters and cards for worldwide distribution.

Her originals and limited edition prints by are often sold through Courtenay's Fine Art and Courtyard of Romance.

Givi Siproshvili (Georgian, 1940)

Givi Siproshvili /Гиви Сипрошвили is a professional painter and graphic artist. In 1971, graduated from Tbilisi Academy of Arts by specialty of painting. Since 1974, he became the member of the Union of artists of USSR and Georgia. Since 2000, he was the member of the International Federation of artists (UNESCO).

After graduating from the Academy of Arts, I participated both in numerous republic exhibitions and All-Union exhibitions. I have participated in more than 200-s group and in 7 personal exhibitions.

A member of the union of artists of USSR and Georgia. Member of the international federation of artists (UNESCO). Member of the union of artists of Russia.

He graduated from the Tbilisi Academy of arts in specialty of painting.

Painting of the artist differs originality, uniqueness, individuality and diversity of styles.

Morgan Weistling (American, 1964)

Morgan began to develop a sense of narrative in his drawing. “It was here that art became a language for me”. At the age of 12, Morgan applied his interest in art to studying his father’s art books and began his art school studies at the Brandes Art Institute at 15. Working in a Los Angeles art supply store while attending art school, Morgan chanced to show his artwork to a prominent illustrator.

As a result of their encounter, at the age of 19, Weistling found himself employed at a top movie poster agency in Hollywood.

Andrew Atroshenko (Russian, 1965)

Andrew Atroshenko's work is distinguished by the movement, color and passion. Andrew Atroshenko was born in the city of Pokrovsk, Russia. Accepted as a gifted child in 1977 into the Children’s Art School, Andrew graduated with honors in 1981.

Two years later, Andrew entered Bryansk Art College, and in 1991 was accepted at one of the most prestigious art schools in the world, the St. Petersburg Academy of Art.

In 1994, Andrew began taking part in exhibitions such as St. Petersburg Artists in Reutlingen, Germany, the exhibition of a group “Academy” in St. Petersburg 1996, and “Teacher’s memory” 1997.

Carsten Witte (German photographer, 1964)

The Hamburg native photographer Carsten Witte has an extensive portfolio ranging from fashion, beauty, advertising and art. He specializes in black and white photography and believes that all his photo's hold a story.

Carsten Witte Studies of Visual Arts and Photography at FH Bielefeld, Internships and assistances to several Photographers. Collaboration with photographer Angela Bergling from 1987-1995.

"Starting with Editorial and Campaign Photography I turned towards Art in 2004. Several exhibitions since then all over the world".

Vincent Van Gogh | Still life with flowers

"In Antwerp I did not even know what the Impressionists were, now I have seen them and though not being one of the club, yet I have much admired certain Impressionist pictures - Degas🎨, figure - Claude Monet🎨, landscape.

And now for what regards what I myself have been doing, I have lacked money for paying models, else I had entirely given myself to figure painting but I have made a series of colour studies in painting simply flowers, red poppies, blue corn flowers and myosotys.

White and rose roses, yellow chrysantemums - seeking oppositions of blue with orange, red and green, yellow and violet, seeking The Broken And Neutral Tones to harmonise brutal extremes. Trying to render intense Colour and not a grey harmony" - Quote of Vincent van Gogh🎨 in his letter to Horace Mann Livens, from Paris, September or October 1886.