December 8 — International Day of the Artist: history and traditions
Every year on December 8, the world celebrates the International Day of the Artist. The holiday is dedicated to all those who are associated with the visual arts: painters, graphic artists, illustrators, sculptors and designers. Its purpose is to highlight the crucial role of artistic creativity in shaping the cultural code of humanity, as well as to support and popularize art in all its forms. In 2025, the date falls on a Monday. Especially for the celebration, Izvestia collected interesting facts about painting and artists.
The history of the international holiday on December 8th
The holiday was established by UNESCO in 2007 on the initiative of the International Association "Art of the Peoples of the World", founded in 1988 by artist and philanthropist Nikolai Kornilov. Although some countries have their own national artist days, and in some it is also celebrated on October 25, the birthday of the Spanish artist, sculptor and graphic artist Pablo Picasso.
The International Day of the Artist has become a logical continuation of the many years of work on the popularization of fine art, which was led by the Art of the Peoples of the World Association, organizing festivals, exhibitions and promoting mutual understanding between peoples through art. The organization's patronage activities, including support for young authors, have laid a solid foundation for international recognition of the day.
Today, December 8 is not only an occasion for congratulations, but also for a public discussion about the artist's place in the modern world, issues of preserving cultural heritage and supporting creative initiatives. The holiday itself emphasizes that art knows no borders, continuing to remain a universal language of communication.
From rock art to the avant-garde
Painting as a form of creative self-expression has accompanied humanity since primitive times. The first artists depicted animals and hunting scenes on cave walls. Later, a complex system of symbols related to economic activity was added to them. In the cultures of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and China, painting developed in accordance with the philosophical and religious beliefs of the time.
The Renaissance era became a turning point, when the artist turned from a craftsman into a creator and thinker. This era is inextricably linked with the names of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, who not only mastered the brush perfectly, but also deeply studied anatomy, linear perspective and chiaroscuro, laying the foundations of a scientific approach to painting.
Subsequent eras — Baroque, classicism, Romanticism — reflected the changing worldview of society. The twentieth century brought about a real revolution, giving rise to such avant-garde movements as Picasso's Cubism, Kandinsky's abstractionism and Dali's surrealism. They significantly expanded the concept of painting and had a tremendous impact on subsequent generations of masters.
The Russian School of Painting has also contributed to world art. Having originated in the bosom of icon painting, she went through a bright and original path. Its heyday occurred in the 19th century, which is considered the golden age of Russian painting.
Among the most prominent names are the marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky, the master of psychological portrait Ilya Repin, the painter Vasily Surikov, who focuses on historical subjects, the creator and key representative of the "mood landscape" Isaac Levitan, who used both a realistic manner and elements of Impressionism, Art Nouveau and symbolism.
It is particularly worth noting the activities of the Peredvizhniki, a partnership of traveling art exhibitions that reflected the life and problems of ordinary people, as well as made art accessible to the people. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, Russia became one of the cradles of the avant-garde thanks to the innovations of Kazimir Malevich, Vasily Kandinsky, Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko.
Interesting facts about artists
The history of art is full of interesting details. For example, portraits created before the 18th century rarely depicted smiling people. It was believed that such facial expressions were characteristic of the lower classes, which did not correspond to the ceremonial image. Even if the model had a beautiful smile, the artist preferred to depict tightly closed lips to emphasize his noble origin.
Such a term as "impressionism", which has firmly entered the history of world painting, originally appeared as a mockery. In 1874, the critic Louis Leroy, reviewing an exhibition of young painters, contemptuously called them "impressionists" (fr. impressionnistes) after the title of Claude Monet's painting "Impression. The rising sun."
Thus, Leroy ridiculed their desire to convey a fleeting "impression" rather than academic detail, accusing them of a superficial approach to art. However, this definition, picked up by the artists themselves, gave a name to a whole trend that had a huge impact on the development of 20th-century art.
At the same time, the fate of some masterpieces sometimes resembles a detective story. For example, Edvard Munch's famous painting "The Scream", which became an icon of expressionism, was stolen twice. It was first stolen in 1994 from the National Gallery in Oslo. The second time was in 2004 from the Munch Museum. The painting was returned both times.
Another high-profile robbery occurred in 1990 at the Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum in Boston. The kidnappers took out 13 works of art, including paintings by Jan Vermeer, Rembrandt, Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas. Despite numerous investigations, none of the works have ever been found.
Traditions of the Artist's Day in Russia and the world
Every year, the International Day of the Artist is accompanied by many events. In Italy, for example, retrospective exhibitions and art festivals are held. Major craft fairs are popular in the United States, launching the careers of aspiring artists. Interactive exhibitions are often organized in Japan, which represent a synthesis of traditional and modern art.
In Russia, the holiday is most widely celebrated in cultural capitals — Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan - and in historical centers of folk crafts. The key events of the day are thematic exhibitions, vernissages, and open days in museums and galleries.
Many cultural institutions provide the opportunity to visit expositions for free, organize master classes, lectures and creative meetings with famous masters. Young authors often use this day to present their work. Charity auctions and sales are also held on Artist's Day, where art lovers can purchase paintings.
How to congratulate on the Day of the artist on December 8th
Congratulations on the holiday are addressed to both professional and amateur painters, for whom painting is an important part of life. Traditionally, they wish inexhaustible inspiration, new creative achievements, recognition and grateful viewers.
Gift ideas for artists
Choosing a gift can be focused on practical needs or on broadening horizons. A good gift option for the Artist's Day will be:
- sets of oil or watercolor paints,
- professional brushes,
- albums with reproductions,
- books on the history of art;
- atlases of anatomy,
- sketchbook or tablet for graphics.
Congratulations on the Artist's Day:
"Congratulations to the artists on their professional holiday! May there always be a place for magic and creativity in your life. I wish that your paints never dry out, and that your brushes obey the slightest movement of your hand, helping you turn faded canvases into real masterpieces!"
"Happy professional holiday, brush masters! May your palette of inspiration never run out, and your canvases embody brilliant ideas and bold decisions. I wish that your works receive recognition and arouse sincere interest from the public and critics!"
"Congratulations on the Day of the Artist! May your every day be filled with bright colors and the joy of creativity! I wish that your brushes always create masterpieces, and inspiration is a daily companion!"
"Happy holidays, dear artists! May your life be as colorful and intense as your canvases, and success accompanies all your endeavors. We wish you health, happiness and inexhaustible inspiration!"
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of World Art Day.
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