xcopy

Monet to Xcopy in 5 artists: A look through art history to craft a path from one of the most venerable Impressionists to the inimitable Xcopy

Born in a bear market. Grew up farming food tokens. Became a man minting NFTs. Now just an old man e-begging. 

Claude Monet (1840 - 1926) : As one of the leaders of Impressionism, Monet changed art by focusing on capturing light and atmosphere in his paintings with thick brushstrokes and pure colours adding to their vibrancy.

Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954):  Part of a group called the fauvists (wild beasts), Matisse further intensified the use of colour, flattened forms and abstraction to change the course of art history

Willem De Kooning (1904 - 1997):  De Kooning built on Matisse's use of colour and introduced even more abstract and gestural techniques, putting him firmly in the abstract expressionist era.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 - 1988) : Deeply influenced by De Kooning as well as the urban environment, street culture and African art, Basquiat shared De Kooning's energetic, improvisational techniques while tackling contemporary issues such as the information age and racism.

Xcopy (no idea!): Similarly exploring themes that critique contemporary society like consumerism, technology and capitalism, both Basquiat and Xcopy share a sense of gestural boldness, with vivid mask-like faces combined with text and symbols in their work.

First a disclaimer: I am an amateur art historian and art history is subjective. This is my amateur subjective view of the progression of styles. I could have taken many other paths but chose this one!