Gustav Klimt, (14 July 1862 – 6 February 1918) born near Vienna, is considered one of the major representatives of the Art Nouveau. In his drawings, painting and frescoes, he dispenses with spatial effects emphasizing ornamental and decorative elements, often supported by his mosaic-type use of gold and silver coating, which was marked by positive critical reaction and great success. The celebration of beauty, and especially of female beauty, was the focus of his work. His frequent portrayal of nude entwined bodies was considered offensive and sometimes obscene by his contemporaries. But, they are most appreciated today. In truth, Klimt's primary subject was the female body, and his works are marked by a frank eroticism. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his numerous pencil sketches.

Klimt was a founding member and the first president of the group of brilliant Austrian artists known as the Vienna Secession. His most well-known work is, 'The Kiss'. Klimt wrote little about his vision or his methods and kept no diary. In a rare writing called "Commentary on a non-existent self-portrait", he states "I have never painted a self-portrait. I am less interested in myself as a subject for a painting than I am in other people, above all women...There is nothing special about me. I am a painter who paints day after day from morning to night...Whoever wants to know something about me... ought to look carefully at my pictures."

Have you decided to redecorate your home or office to give it a more modern feel? Why not opt to go with contemporary bird art? It features fantastic use of color, form and subject matter. Here are a few examples of what we are referring to:

Contemporary Bird Art: Patricia Pinto Collection

Patricia Pinto’s collection of contemporary bird art is one that makes excellent use of the subject matter. Some of her pieces feature a solitary love bird in the foreground and text in the background. She has also created a series of work that features bird silhouettes, hummingbirds, paper cut-out birds, birds on damask and more. They would look perfect positioned on a display wall or near a bookshelf.

Contemporary Bird Art: Kate Birch Collection

If you want contemporary bird art that focuses on the use of color and patterns, Kate Birch’s collection of avian delights may be more to your liking. It features colorful birds surrounded by rich patterns that include flowers. In some instances, like her piece Plum Song II, the bird and the background seemingly become one. In others, like Greenwood I, they stand out clearly.

Contemporary Bird Art: Alain Pelletier Collection

Another contemporary artist’s work to consider is Alain Pelletier. He has two series, Birds on a Wire and Migration, which features multiple silhouettes paired with single words. Among the words used are “Dream”, “Home”, “London” and “Rome.” In addition, he has a series of pieces titled Memories and Nature Patterns that take a different approach. They feature birds whose bodies are decorated with interesting patterns like paisley.

To get a closer look at these contemporary bird art  collections and others, visit Fulcrum Gallery.

Tuscany has long been known for its idyllic scenery and absolutely fantastic food. So if you are in need of some art for your kitchen or dining room, we suggest that you check out to some of our fabulous Tuscan art.

Tuscany is certainly known for its wine, and we have some traditional and elegant still life pictures featuring wine bottles, wine carafes, wine glasses and luscious bunches of grapes. One of these images on your dining room wall will enhance the sense of celebration you feel whenever you sit down to a festive meal with family or friends.

Tuscany is also known for its pasta, and we have  fun, creative pasta prints to celebrate this unique Italian contribution to the world’s cuisine. With these prints in your kitchen, you will be inspired to create yet another Italian pasta masterpiece for your family’s dining enjoyment.

If you have a wall that needs filling, we have a traditional set of Tuscan prints, our Flavors of Tuscany series. Each print beautifully illustrates a wide variety of Tuscan cooking ingredients, from garlic, peppers and herbs to cruets of olive oil and vinegar, set against a background of Tuscan houses, gardens, fields and forests. We also have a pair of old-fashioned Tuscan fruit images, or a series of eight botanical Tuscan vegetables, complete with their Italian names.

If you would like a sign to define or emphasize your kitchen’s importance in your home, we have a number of stylish La Cucina signs, many naming important towns or the region of Tuscany itself. Alternatively, perhaps you would prefer to emphasize your wine selection with one of our Italian Wine Cellar prints.

So explore the wide variety of images available in our Tuscan Kitchen series, and bring the bright colors and culinary images of Tuscany into your home!

Visionary, folk hero, environmental legend and consummate artist, those are just a handful of words often used to describe Ansel Adams. His iconic black & white photography is known by shutter bugs, nature lovers and artists worldwide. However, there may be some folks that have yet to discover his brilliance. For them, here’s a glimpse at a true master of the lens:

Born in San Francisco, Adams was taken with a love of nature early in life. When he reached his teenage years, he parlayed that into work with organizations like the Sierra Club. It was there, in the mid-1920s, that he is said to have launched his remarkable photography career. A series of his initial, notable works was published during the same time period. Known as the Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras Series, it contained 18 jaw-dropping prints, including the Monolith, The Face of Half Dome. It truly shined a spotlight on the region’s unparalleled beauty.

From there, his career expanded to include black & white photography with political and social connections. Among them were his Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico and World War II photos taken at Manzanar. He also switched styles. Some of his early work has been described as pictorialist for their soft focus. Photos taken in his later years, on the other hand, were considered to be more modern and sharply focused. At the time, he wasn’t the only consummate artist to change direction. Others were Laura Gilpin, Edward Weston, Margrethe Mather, Imogen Cunningham and Edward Steichen.

Later, in the mid-1970s, Adams and several others founded the Center for Creative Photography. It is a renowned depository of artwork that remains in existence to this day. It, along with various other institutions scattered across America, contain examples of Adams’ black & white photography. Enthusiasts may also opt to buy prints of his outstanding work through Fulcrum Gallery.

One look at Diane Romanello’s seaside paintings and you’d be hard-pressed to correctly identify the modern artist’s birthplace. She’s certainly one native New Yorker who can capture an ocean sunset and present it with a hefty dose of romantic realism. Of course dream-inducing seaside vistas are not the only ones Romanello has painted over the years. Her true-to-life paintings have also featured such coveted, tranquil places as country roads, rivers, gardens and lakes. Here’s a look at several of her paintings that are suitable for decorating a beach house:

One serenity inspiring painting to hang on your beach house’s wall is Twilight Time. It features sand dunes, a wooden boardwalk and a romantic view of the ocean. Because of the cool toned colors used throughout the painting, it would look lovely on a navy blue or gray display wall. You could also easily pair her painting with textured pillows, a sand colored carpet and driftwood furniture.

Diane Romanello’s Blue Skies Panel is another piece of art perfect for a beach house’s display wall. It features the artist’s iconic Adirondack chairs, which are frequently found throughout her seaside scenes. In this case, the chairs are placed on a wooden deck situated between two sand dunes. The chairs face out towards the ocean that appears luminous under the summer sun.

If you like your seaside scenes to include swaying Queen palms, Diane Romanello’s Paradiso Sunset may just tickle your sandy toes. Gazing at the painting will leave you feeling as if you’re standing under the palms watching the waves roll up onto the shore. Romanello used a series of warm toned colors to create the painting. Thus, it would look attractive paired with earth or fire toned walls and furnishings.

If you're searching for framed art that will add interest, color, and a touch of humor to a modern workspace or living room, take a look at the work of pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein. Known for replicating classic comic imagery on a large scale, his panels satirize 1960s American life while demonstrating a gift for bold composition. Lichtenstein rarely worked outside the color palette of comics - atomic yellows and reds fill vast planes of space, divided by magnified ink work. Lighter colors are rendered with dots to create an honest duplicate of Lichtenstein's source material.

The artist lampoons himself - or predicts his own eventual legendary status - in 1962's "Masterpiece." In the panel's dialogue box, a painter's girlfriend flings high hopes on her lover:

Why, Brad darling, this painting is a masterpiece! My, soon you'll have all of New York clamoring for your work!

The artist pictured looks somewhat doubtful, perhaps aware that his girlfriend is merely swooning. 

In 1964's "Kiss V," Lichtenstein creates a gripping composition that divides the page diagonally, placing singular emphasis on the stream of tears flowing from the blond woman's simply rendered eye.

In "Washing Machine," the artist satirizes the image of femininity and motherhood with a line drawing of a hand pouring detergent into a load of laundry. Only the soap box and the clothes in the washer are filled with color, both of them yellow. By using color to specifically illuminate the action of washing, Lichtenstein could be implying that the woman to whom the manicured hand in the drawing belongs has been consumed by domesticity itself.

While Lichtenstein rarely disclosed his comic source material, a project by David Barsalou, "Deconstructing Roy Lichtenstein," has paired many of his paintings with their original source material. The side-by-side comparison demonstrates both the artist's devotion to replicating commercial comic production and his improvements upon the source. The artist tended to remove unnecessary elements, creating a bolder, simpler composition. Occasionally, shadows are added and colors are brightened for artistic effect and to heighten their intentionally mass-produced appearance.

For archival, museum-quality prints of works by Lichtenstein or other modern masters, peruse our extensive collection at FulcrumGallery.com. Framing options are available, and most orders ship the same day.

Every teenage girl wants her own space, a reflection of her unique interests, visions and aspirations. Their ideas are as varied as their personalities, but coming up with a perfectly inspired theme doesn’t have to be difficult. Create the ideal space for your teen girl with one of these 3 bedroom design ideas for teens.

1. Life’s a Beach

Beach décor stirs thoughts of warm, sunny days at the ocean swimming, surfing, playing or just hanging out with friends; everything a teenager enjoys about summer vacation. Bring your teen’s favorite time of year into her private space with a beach inspired room design. Surfer girl, beach cottage or tropical tikis are all fun themes to incorporate. Paint her room a crisp shade of white, bright turquoise or blue to represent the sea or a soft, sunny yellow. Wide white and pale blue stripes painted vertically also add a beachy feel, or, if possible, hang whitewashed wood planks on the wall behind her bed and paint the remainder of the room in the shade of her choice. Adding framed wall art or photos that match her decor is the crowning touch in a beach themed room for your teen girl.

2. World Traveler

Teen girls with a travel bug will love a Paris themed bedroom. Black and white with hot pink, periwinkle or violet accents make the perfect backdrop for a Parisian inspired room. Paint an accent wall her color of choice or with black chalkboard paint and stencil in curly designs, words written in fancy, French-looking font or an iconic French landmark. Another fun option is to paint the walls white and just above the halfway point add several horizontal hot pink and black stripes around the entire room. If you have an artists flare or know someone who does, painting scenery or traditional French inspired image directly onto the wall is a special touch. Finish the design with pictures of Paris fashion, the Eiffel Tower, a French café or black and white photos of France edged in matching frames. With a few knick knacks and curtains to match, her Paris themed room will be straight out of her best traveling dreams.

3. Fan-girl Fantasies

If the thought of “Harry Potter”, 1 Direction or Doctor Who makes your teenage girl squeal, a fan-girl themed room may be right up her ally. A fan-girl’s fantasy is really about the artist, movie, book or TV show she loves, so paint and room colors can be of her choosing. For a “Harry Potter” motif you may want to incorporate the colors of her favorite house, hang a house flag, and of course, make sure the entire book series is displayed. Decorating her room for 1 Direction or another favorite band can include colorful walls with fun patterns or textures and throw pillows, blankets or decorations that represent the group. Painting or stenciling the band’s name across an accent wall in large letters is another fun effect. Framed and canvas prints, posters or photographs are essential in the creation of a fan-girl fantasy themed room.

Design a room that will make your favorite teen girl’s dream space a reality. For inspiration, browse our large selection of photos, posters, art and framed gifts.

Do you yearn for the feel of the waves beneath your feet and the sun upon your brow? If so, you may want to decorate your home’s interior with nautical themed framed art. At the very least, it may prove comforting to look at during those periods when work and weather conspire to keep your boat dry docked. With that said, here are some boating themed decorating ideas to consider:

Suzanne Lestage

Artist Suzanne Lestage’s Plenitude I and Plenitude II would look wonderful on a rustic cabin’s display wall or over a fireplace. Each one features a canoe and a wooden dock. One of the pictures' most striking aspects is the haunting stillness that they subtly convey. Lestage's work looks great framed or on canvas so your piece of artwork can be customized to fit you and your decor.

Ray Ellis

Are you more enamored with cat boats than canoes? If so, a piece of framed art from Ray Ellis’ collection may just upend your anchor. Three pieces of Ellis’ framed artwork that would pair well together are Coming Home, Henry’s Walk and Moored Cat Boats. They would look nice hanging above a table centerpiece made with an assortment of sea glass, shells and driftwood. 

Michael Kahn

Would you prefer decorating your home’s interior with striking photographs instead? Well then, take a look at our collection of framed art by Michael Kahn. His Headsails Series would look great hanging in a hallway or alongside of a staircase. Each of the photos features an interesting close-up of sails. You may also want to place his framed South Beach photo on top of a driftwood table or in the bathroom near a decorative bowl full of seashell shaped soaps. 

Those are only three of the artists included within our vast collection of framed art. For suggestions on additional artwork that would look lovely as part of a nautical theme, contact us at 1-800-644-1278.

How long has it been since you’ve thought of a city as beautiful? So often these days we end up focusing on what’s wrong with our cities, in terms of crime rate, overcrowding, unemployment, or trash. Yet cities have transformed our lives in many positive ways, and can transform our outlook on things as well, if we just give them a chance. Take the city skyline, for example. We suggest that hanging our skyline photography on your walls might just transform your thoughts and assumptions about cities.

For example, we have a number of absolutely stunning sunset and night time photographs of city skylines. When high rise buildings light up the night sky, we can imagine each of those lights representing a family sitting down to dinner together, or a group of colleagues staying late at work to finish an important project that will transform our lives in ways we cannot yet imagine. All those lights represent people just like us, living and working in community, and remind us that without each other, we really cannot thrive as a society.

Daytime skyline photographs can be just as powerful, especially when they include bridges or other, older architectural elements to provide scale for our eyes. It’s hard sometimes to remember that the modern skyscraper is pretty young, since the structural innovations needed to build them were not invented until the late 1800s. Not only were stronger steel and reinforced concrete needed to build tall buildings, but also elevators, central heating and plumbing pumps. So city skylines are inspiring reminders of all the inventions that have transformed our lives in the past 150 years. If you hang a cityscape in your office, perhaps it will inspire the next great invention!

A particular city skyline can also be inspirational for your personal journey. Are you hoping to work your way up the ladder to your company’s corporate office in Chicago? Hang a Chicago skyline in your home or office for inspiration. Are you planning that trip of a lifetime to another continent? Hang a London or Sydney skyline in your home to encourage you to keep saving toward that goal.

Skyline photography can lift your eyes, your heart and your spirit, so check out our stunning cityscapes today.