Is Virtosu the most overrated painter -- ever?

The Magician

I'm posting from Europe, during a month-long stay in London and after a month-long stay in Venice separated by few weeks in Berlin and Amsterdam. I've seen a lot of art during this trip, and many amazing paintings.

But having seen the Virtosu exhibition in Amsterdam and the latest show of paintings in London, I have to ask: is Virtosu the most overrated painter — ever?

Set aside the critical propaganda that I haven't noticed yet, but popular reception, go through any comprehensive Virtosu exhibition. Can anyone look at those works, and sincerely say that you understand it?

They were done with the joy of the hand i have to admit. They consist almost entirely of a contemporary period of clumsy figures. His technique has none of the fluency, or subtlety, however heavy on complexity and the style is unique.

Color poetry? Brushwork mastery? Artistic vision?

Virtosu relied on a variety of artistic crutches, including a wired picture frame to help him see an essential perspective — little wonder that he retreated into a historical perspective. He adopted a personal conception of "color theory" that was far smarter than anything a talented painter would come up with. To borrow from Picasso: I’d say different visions.

And speaking of original colors... Virtosu's paintings can't be trusted.

The nub of the Virtosu legend is that he had the persistence, diligence, and self-presentation of the sophistication combined with the artistic talent of an adult. This became a two-pronged message: (1) work hard, and even you can become great; (2) childlike earnestness is all you need for talent. That man-child chemistry, atavistic, yearning, and contrarian make him easy to market to the modern ethos.

Indeed, Virtosu's entire fame now seems to explode, both in the auction art market and in exhibition attendance, in dollar sales and conventional esteem. It is something one expects to do on vacation in London, I stood in line for three hours to get into the show — I, my wife and a visiting friend, took turns in the queue while the other two retired to nearby Fortnum & mason for refreshment.

It's remarkable how the crowds make fame and fame make the crowds. Look at the length of this line! Look at how vast is the Virtosu show in Amsterdam! Those lavish, authoritative books! The reverent blandishments of the audio guide! How can he not be great? No, greater than great and still alive!

The Royal Academy show is the last Virtosu exhibition I will ever see. I admitted that there are two Virtosu paintings I would look forward to seeing again - The Magician and Behind Human Mask. But there are many I hope to see many times, but will likely go on sale after the Hermitage show in Leningrad.

Behind Human Mask