Dixon Art Gallery
The Art of Beauty
The Collection and How Our Passion for Art Evolved
The Collection
Our art collection is truly eclectic and it has evolved into different subject matters over the years. We started with an interest in Photo Realism but gravitated toward a romantic Impressionistic style. My own personal interest has almost always been for female figures in paintings probably because I am a bit of a romantic.
My wife says this is OK as long as I keep the females in my life on the walls. And so I have. Many of them could be labeled as “stunners” done in brilliant color. But there have been many deviations into other forms of art such as Pop Art, portraits, still fife’s, trompe l’oeil, Surrealism and numerous sculptures done in bronze, resin, marble ceramic and glass. The vast majority of the paintings are oil on canvas.
Toward the end of our collecting, we took an interest in allegorical paintings and sculpture. These are narrative pieces designed to tell a story or make a point. I am particularly appreciative of artists that can produce a quality piece of art and tell a story at the same time.
All of our paintings are framed. The measurements are approximate and include the frame.
The Collection
Our art collection is truly eclectic and it has evolved into different subject matters over the years. We started with an interest in Photo Realism but gravitated toward a romantic Impressionistic style. My own personal interest has almost always been for female figures in paintings probably because I am a bit of a romantic.
All of our paintings are framed. The measurements are approximate and include the frame.
How Our Passion for Art Evolved
The origin of my interest in art is one of the big mysteries of my life. Somewhere along the way, art took over my life. It has become the biggest passion of my life, second only to my wife. But where did that passion come from? Perhaps it echoes the statement by Picasso that “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Then there was the statement by Jasper Johns that “Art is much less important than life, but it would be a poor life without it.” Or perhaps it reflects agreement with Albert Barnes when he said “If you learn to appreciate art it will enrich your life.”
They all apply to my wife Martha and I and we are so fortunate that is the case. And all this occurred without any formal training in art or art history.
This book is Fred Dixon's tour of art history inspired by a lifetime of visiting the major cathedrals and museums in the world and 10 years of tours as a docent at the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pa.
Over 60 artists are discussed and there are 250 color images of some of the greatest works from the 14th to the 20th centuries. In addition, there are chapters on Picasso, Modigliani, Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt.
Fred Dixon has written a book that anyone can appreciate and enjoy.
A highlights tour of art history starting with Byzantine mosaics and continuing into 20th century modern art.
Many of the most important art movements are covered such as the Renaissance, Post-Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionistic and Post-Impressionistic periods.
(276pp. full-color illus. hardcover. Author, 2013.)