Statement | The Cave of Apelles

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.

Bork Nerdrum, Jan-Ove Tuv, and Sebastian Salvo in The Cave of Apelles Studio.

🧠 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:

Community ($1/mo) ➟ Mindset ($5/mo) ➟ Toolkit ($10/mo)

For only one dollar you gain early access to our featured episodes. You also gain access to our private group chat where you can connect with like-minded individuals to get answers to many of the questions you might be struggling with.

We strongly recommend that you join at least the $5 subscription (most popular) because you will get instant access to a library of videos to educate your mind. You will also receive the Apelles Mindset manual on how to keep yourself out of harm’s way in today’s toxic cultural climate AND how to turn frustration into constructive activity.

If you up your game to the $10 subscription, you will not only get instant access to a library of painting videos, but also the Apelles Toolkit. A painting instruction manual which you will not find the likes of anywhere else!

Western Culture is in rapid decline.
Subscribe now and become part of the resistance!

 

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  • Apelles was asked why he touched and retouched his pictures with so much care, to which he replied:
    "I paint for eternity"