A collective exhibition of drawings and paintings by students of the Atelier of Madeleine Gera at Vee Gee Bee in Republic Street, Valletta, will be open to the public between June 8 and 22.
The exhibition includes works by Nadette Bugeja, Donnah Calleja, Teresa Cordina, Paul Farrugia, Daphne Pia Kelleher, Lee Roberts, BJ Sammut, Adrian Scicluna Calleja, Benjamin Van Beek.
It will present drawings and paintings that best reflect the philosophy of the Atelier, that is, academic or naturalistic painting and drawing.
The atelier approach to painting has its foundation in the guilds of the early Renaissance, where master artists transmitted a system of knowledge and skills to their students. This tradition has continued with artists like Diego Velasquez and Giuseppe de Ribera and reached its peak in the 19th century with artists like John Singer Sargent. This skills-based approach prepares aspiring artists to paint countless subjects in a multitude of different styles and is largely centered upon the observation of nature coupled with sound artistic principles.