Culture is in rapid decline… what will you do?
Most of our followers, perhaps even you, are young figurative painters with ambition and a deep love for the craft. But in all likelihood you will all end up as modernists in a few years from now or give up your painting career altogether.
How can we predict this? Experience.
We have witnessed first-hand one student after another leave the Nerdrum School with technical brilliance, only to “develop” into conventional contemporary artists.
We know that this is also the case at the Florence Academy and other places focused on classical training.
Why does this happen?
The problem is not that these painters lack skills; they lack a superstructure to support them when they are out in the world on their own.
🧠 The hand is little without the mind
We can teach you technique, but you need philosophical awareness, which is something they do not teach at classical academies.
Pondering simple questions such as “what is the purpose of the craft?” or “must my work reflect the time I live in?” can save you a lot of frustration.
As a classical figurative painter in the modern world, you are the underdog. You need an arsenal of knowledge to defend yourself against attacks from gallerists, the art world… even your own family.
You must let go of hopes to receive recognition from all of these people.
Odd Nerdrum has always been devoted to a philosophical understanding of the situation we are in to keep you from folding.
The Cave of Apelles is devoted to spreading that message.
🌐 Get connected and become a culture warrior
At the Cave of Apelles, we offer a three-step ladder for our subscribers:
Mindset ($5/mo) ➟ Toolkit ($10/mo) ➟ Feedback ($75/mo)
Western Culture is in rapid decline.
Subscribe now and become part of the resistance!
