There’s something magical about the way gold instantly draws the eye. Maybe that’s because we’re all little magpies at heart. However, I believe that it's not necessarily gold itself that draws us, but rather the meanings we associate with this noblest of metals. In our minds, golden hues are closely linked to warmth, abundance, and prosperity. And it’s certainly some of these deeply-rooted meanings that Scottish artist Stephanie Rew channels in her creative practice.
Rew’s paintings are classical and unusual. The artist is deeply inspired by traditional portraits from the Baroque era. “I enjoy bringing classical techniques into the present day. It grounds me as an artist to look back in time and learn,” Rew pointed out in an interview with Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
But unlike the works of the Old Masters, it’s not the graceful female models who take center stage in her portraits. Instead, the focus is shifted to their rich garments decorated with elaborate gold details.
The metallic shine of the costumes interplays beautifully with the golden background, creating drama but also unity on the canvas. “Pattern, color, and texture of textiles and costume are intrinsic to my work, giving the painting a tactile and dramatic element, placing the model in a timeless era,” the artist explained in an interview with My Modern Met.
Marrying her personal technique with a classical style gives her portraits a truly timeless appearance. And even though the female figures in her paintings are not the first to catch the eye, they still project noble strength and elegance. After all, flaunting gold detail work is not the primary focus of her art. “I see my job as an artist is to uplift the viewer and make the world a more beautiful place,” Rew explained.
Admire some of Stephanie Rew’s fantastic gold leaf paintings throughout this article. For more, we highly recommend taking a look at the artist’s Website and Instagram Page.
