In the hustle and bustle of neon lights in the urban landscape and the fast-paced culture of the internet, have we ever paused our hurried steps to listen to the gentle whispers of the pen and canvas? Do we still find ourselves moved by the beauty of art amidst our busy lives? Today, the NTD “World Realistic Portraits Oil Painting Competition” is quietly commencing, with the belief in “pureness, goodness, and beauty,” calling us back from the fragmented information overload and reigniting the torch of realistic art appreciation. This competition is not just a showcase of artistic skills, but also a spiritual journey that allows people to experience the enlightenment brought by art once again.
Since the Renaissance, realistic oil painting has been a symbol of the pinnacle of Western art with its intricate artistic expressions and profound humanistic content. It intertwines gaze and inner feelings on the canvas, allowing reality to quietly grow within layers of color. Before the canvas, we can face the world with honesty, experiencing that long-lost tranquility and sincerity.
Amidst the transient worldly affairs, the clarity of the soul is often covered by dust. The value of realistic art lies not in the meticulous reproduction of details, but in awakening the inherent yearning for clarity and innocence within people’s hearts. This is a courage to face reality directly and a power to bring back the purity of the soul.
This competition is like creating a peaceful temple in the turbulent world, allowing realistic art to return to simplicity and authenticity. Painters immerse themselves in their art, with profound thoughts akin to deep oceans, allowing colors and lines to flow on the canvas, turning moments and emotions into poetry silently. Each artwork is like a mirror, reflecting not only the image of the subject but also the ripples in the hearts of the painter and the viewers, allowing the viewers to see not just others but also themselves. Standing before the painting, viewers can appreciate the true form and understand the clarity of the soul and the purity of the inner self in silence.
However, looking back at the present, the art world is not a completely pure land. With the wave of commercialization sweeping through, art has gradually become a tool of capitalism, where exaggerated, sensational, and crowd-pleasing works dominate the scene, overshadowing the essence and depth of beauty and spirituality. Many artworks, in an attempt to cater to market trends, have unintentionally deviated from the original intention of art education and enlightenment, leading to distortions and even bizarre or abnormal expressions.
At the same time, the fracture in traditional realistic art skills is also a cause for concern. The rigorous training and spiritual cultivation passed down in the past seem to be overshadowed by the wave of modern art, like a bright moon cloaked by clouds, gradually losing its luster. The extraordinary skills of many masters in Europe in the past have long been obscured by the dust of time, becoming legends that can only be imagined by future generations. The younger generation of artists, under the impact of fast-paced culture and fragmented information, often find it difficult to focus on honing their skills and understanding the spiritual core of art, making the foundation of the art world increasingly unstable.
Therefore, we should adhere more to those enduring art traditions and craftsmanship. In this context, the NTD “World Realistic Portraits Oil Painting Competition” injects a fresh stream into the field of art. It is not only a return to tradition but also a hope for the future. Only by upholding the beliefs of truth, goodness, and beauty, passing down the seeds of skills and virtues, can art continue to radiate inexhaustible vitality in the changing times, illuminating the path of human civilization.
Art has always been a means of education since ancient times. True beauty, like a clear spring, washes away dirt; like morning bells and evening drums, it strikes the soul. It is not just an expression of emotions but also a purification of the mind and spirit; not merely for appreciation but also for introspection.
Ancient artists often cultivated moral character alongside their art. With a clear mind, they naturally nurtured profound insights; with virtuous conduct, they could depict a radiant atmosphere. Artistic creation is like a spiritual practice, where every stroke reveals the artist’s inner self. The competition advocates not only superb skills but also self-discipline and moral reflection.
Artists should observe tranquility and contemplate deeply to truly capture all aspects. Only by cleansing impure thoughts and maintaining mental clarity can they infuse spirituality into precise forms, allowing the artwork to be faithful to the subject itself while containing a humanistic essence and intellectual depth. The essence of creation lies beyond strokes and colors, reaching into the soul and spirit, transcending mere technical prowess. Only through focusing on the cultivation of the inner self can one create timeless classics.
The oil painting competition reaffirms the ethical foundation of art under this principle: virtue first, truth as the root, goodness as the essence, and beauty as the realm. Artists handle their brushes like they handle their hearts, adhering to their beliefs and conveying morals through their artwork.
The origin of human art often traces back to the reverence for deities, nature, and the exploration of the human spirit by our ancestors. Throughout history, art has been a reflection of celestial wisdom in the human world, not just a human pastime. The art nurtured by divine culture serves as a bridge between human and divine realms, a fusion of spirituality and craftsmanship. Ancient painters gained insight through their hearts, depicted principles through their paintings, painted as if practicing, not only seeking excellence in skills but also pursuing the alignment of mind and divinity in their creations. Therefore, their works often embody the brilliance of wisdom, reflecting the power of belief.
When society loses direction and values become blurred, the ability of art to uphold a glimmer of clarity transcends the technical aspects. It stands as a silent guardian of social conscience, a guiding beacon in the depths of human hearts. Artists should base their work on sincerity and goodwill, adhere to artistic skills and moral principles, illuminating hearts amidst chaos, awakening inner order and kindness, becoming a beacon of light in the human spiritual realm.
Great art has never emerged out of nothing; it is deeply rooted in the soil of civilization’s history. Throughout art history, the development of realistic oil painting is inseparable from the exploration and dedication of numerous outstanding masters. Jan van Eyck laid the foundation of oil painting with innovative techniques and detailed painting style; Raphael established the classical style with exquisite composition, harmonious proportions, and elegant painting techniques; Titian pioneered the peak of the colorist school with rich colors and emotional tension… These masters throughout history, through their outstanding skills and unique styles, built the artistic cornerstone of portrait paintings, transmitting the solemnity of faith and the glory of civilization through their brushstrokes.
These historical accumulations provide a fertile ground and endless inspiration for contemporary oil painting. Building on the orthodox techniques and its spirit, the oil painting competition calls on contemporary artists to return to the classics, inherit traditions, learn from classical masters with humility, diligently study skills, and guard faith with reverence, drawing creative inspiration and moral strength from them.
The height of realistic art lies in its ability to surpass superficial appearances with intricate details and reach the depths of human nature in search of truth. Upholding “pureness, goodness, and beauty” as the criterion for aesthetic appreciation aims to awaken the spiritual traditions deeply embedded in cultural heritage—artistic inheritance is not just the continuation of techniques but also the perpetual preservation of divine culture and the light of civilization.
Tradition remains timeless because it can be reinterpreted in changing realities. Therefore, the revival of realistic art is not just a mere replication of the past but a rejuvenation of traditional essence in the present. In times where the rarity of skills being passed down has become evident, a return to the art paradigms weathered by time is necessary, allowing the soul to return to the essence of art, where the canvas carries not just colors and lines but the eternal flame of civilization and the everlasting brilliance of the spirit.
As a significant part of Western art, realistic oil painting, with its delicate brushstrokes and rich colors, not only faithfully reproduces forms but also resonates with the spiritual essence, aligning with the concept of “Form and Spirit are One” in Eastern culture. Whether it is the vibrancy and vividness emphasized in Eastern art, or the meticulous modeling and light and shadow in Western painting, they all represent a common pursuit of aesthetic beauty among humanity.
The beauty of realistic art lies not only in the realism of forms but also in the manifestation of spirit. In Chinese culture, the concept of “Form and Spirit are One” is both a key technique and an embodiment of the inner self. When the artist’s mind is clear, the characters come to life. A touch of spiritual expression often reflects the peaks and valleys within the painter’s heart, resonating with insights and reverence for the natural world or moral principles, touching the hearts of others without words.
In an era of changing artistic trends and thinning spiritual values, this competition injects a long-lost dignity and determination into realistic oil painting. It is not just a competition of skills but a reflection of values: lifting dignity with the canvas, reflecting goodness with colors, allowing faith to transcend chaos, and preserving the light within hearts forever. Gathering artists from around the world, the competition uses realistic portraits as a medium to consolidate the spiritual core inherited from diverse world civilizations: respect for the heavens, emphasis on principles, protection of virtues, and reverence for beauty.
This spiritual core is not just a theoretical concept but vividly expressed in concrete artworks. Realistic portraiture goes beyond outward appearances to become an echo of history and a portrayal of the soul. It is a quiet but profound form of communication, transcending skin color, eras, and borders, subtly conveying the painter’s state of mind to the depths of the viewers’ thoughts. The magic of realism can only be reached by those with a refined heart; the resonance of interests can only be felt by those with similar virtues. True art lies not in flashy brushstrokes but in its ability to convey a profound goodwill, a solemnity that speaks directly to the heart.
From the characters’ clothing, postures, and ambiance to the color textures, materials, and painting techniques of each artwork, artists’ understanding, refinement, and presentation of cultural symbols are condensed. It is these accumulated details that make an individual’s creation a reflection of the era’s zeitgeist. Every stroke on the canvas carries the unique essence of that land and time quietly. Looking back at oil paintings from centuries ago, the serene color textures seem to hold the temperature of time and the fragrance of culture. Today, while some artworks still exhibit exquisite techniques, it is challenging to find that ancient simplicity and charm. Therefore, we cherish purity and sincerity on the canvas more today, guarding our original intentions through the passage of time, allowing the fragrance of art to continue blooming peacefully in the world.
In an age where restlessness has become the norm and turmoil obscures the soul, the NTD Oil Painting Competition stands as a lighthouse in the night, guarding the faith and dignity of art. When standards are lost, and values collapse, it leaves a mark of “pureness, goodness, and beauty,” encouraging artists to hold onto their original intentions, reminding society of the common memory of truth, goodness, and beauty, making art ideals a bridge connecting people’s hearts.
Guided by this spiritual compass, this competition is not just an exchange of skills but an awakening of thoughts and a return to cultural beliefs. Artists write with reverence, infusing their respect for the divine into their brushstrokes, making their works dignified and noble, solemnizing the hearts of viewers as they gaze upon them.
When skills and virtues blend, form and spirit coexist, beauty transcends a mere accumulation of techniques, becoming a sincere and enduring echo of the soul. The NTD “World Realistic Portraits Oil Painting Competition” is not only a stage for artists to showcase their talents but also an opportunity to rejuvenate orthodox art, a hall that safeguards the light of human civilization. In this realistic feast, let us rediscover that long-lost sense of awe, awaken the deeply buried beliefs within our hearts, and continue writing an immortal new chapter of human civilization.