Painting show by local artist
Charles Kapsner
Sunday, June 6 through July 18, 2010
Charles Kapsner’s paintings could be mistaken for works by Rennaisance masters. However, he paints them right here in his Central Minnesota studio. During his study with Signorina Nerina Simi in Florence, Italy, Kapsner immersed himself in traditional realism and learned precise drawing, observation and accuracy, which give his paintings depth and immediacy. This summer, his paintings will be on display at the Whitby Gift Shop and Gallery at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. He will introduce his work at the show’s opening on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at 2 p.m.
One of the styles at which Kapsner excels is called “Vanitas,” a type of still-life painting popular during the Renaissance, but also used by 19th and 20th century painters, including Gaugin, Cezanne and Picasso. This style depicts objects that symbolize the brevity and vanity of human existence and the transience of human pleasures. It can include mirrors, timepieces, scales, human skulls, flowers, butterflies, candles and books. The stages of existence in a flower, for instance, would sometimes be depicted in one painting by showing the bud, full bloom and a scattering of petals.
Kapsner has shown his work internationally in numerous galleries, and it is in several major collections. He was commissioned to create 12 pieces depicting the life of Charles Lindbergh Jr., whose childhood home is Little Falls, Minn. Works include several sketches and oils, one of which is on display in the Franco-American Museum in Blerancourt, France, and the 9 ft x 26 ft. fresco, “The Stewardship,” which captures the Spirit of St. Louis and is on a wall at Lindbergh Elementary School in Little Falls, Minn. Kapsner himself is a native of Little Falls, where he still lives and works. He is currently working on a commission of five 8 x 10 ft. paintings depicting the history of all five branches of the military for the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
In 2003, the Florence Biennale recognized Kapsner with a Career Achievement Award. Examples of his work can be seen at www.buonfresco.com.