(1955 - ) – Schilderijen, biografie & beroemde werken

The Life and Art of Bo Bartlett

Born in Columbus, United States, Bo Bartlett is an American realist painter who maintains studios in both Columbus, Georgia, and Wheaton Island, Maine. His artistic journey began with studies in mural painting under Ben Long in Florence, Italy, before he moved to Philadelphia in 1975. His formal education includes time at the University of the Arts and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he received a Certificate of Fine Art in 1980. During his formative years in Pennsylvania, he studied anatomy at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and apprenticed under Nelson Shanks. His diverse training also includes a Certificate in Filmmaking from New York University.

Bartlett’s work is characterized by a modernist vision rooted in American Realism. He utilizes the Grand Manner of academic painting to integrate figure painting, portraiture, landscape, and still life into his compositions. His narrative scenes often depict the commonplace, such as children on Halloween or a man rowing, yet they frequently possess an uncanny, dreamlike quality. His cinematic approach to scale, lighting, and staging is informed by his background in filmmaking.

Notable Works and Recognition

Bartlett’s paintings are held in various prestigious collections, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville. His catalog includes works such as:

Beyond his visual art, Bartlett has a significant filmography. He collaborated with Betsy Wyeth on the film Snow Hill, which received several awards, including a CINE Golden Eagle Award. He also co-directed SEE: An Art Road Trip and directed the documentary short HELGA. His first feature film, the Southern Gothic drama Things Don’t Stay Fixed, was co-directed with Betsy Eby and released in 2021.

His contributions to the arts community are further reflected in the Bo Bartlett Center at Columbus State University, which houses over 300 of his paintings and drawings alongside an extensive archive of his artistic notes and materials.