When we think of contemporary art, we imagine something completely different from a still life, a marble sculpture or a religious fresco. Nothing could be more wrong. Contemporary artists aren’t at all removed from traditional art and ageless artistic forms. In contemporary art museums, references to earlier art are always present, even if they’re not always easy to recognise. Some artists adopt traditional art in a provocative way (Adel Abdessemed), others give it current meanings (Marlene Dumas, Rudolf Stingel), and others modify it using modern techniques and colours (Martial Raysse). Sometimes, a traditional work is just a stimulus to play with new artistic techniques, but at other times, it’s the starting point for profound reflection on the meaning of life.

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