The world is completely gripped by the feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni rivalry, which is making us think, were there any rivalries in art history? The answer is: of course! The art world is a dog-eat-dog zone and we all know that most are willing to step on their frenemies’ toes to get where they want. So, without further ado, here are the biggest feuds in art history!
Michealangelo and Da Vinci
The two biggest artists of the Italian Renaissance were also bitter rivals. The pair were both working for the same patrons and competing for commissions in the 16th century. While both had very different individual styles and strengths, they often found each other in direct competition.
That said, like all good frenemies they secretly respected each other’s talents, and sometimes even worked together. Their competition pushed each other to new limits, helping one another to reach new heights. In fact, the rivalry is credited with defining the Renaissance movement, so it wasn’t all that bad.
Manet and Degas
Manet and Degas had a meet-cute while admiring the same painting by Velazquez at the Louvre. They became firm friends, and even stronger frenemies. In fact, Manet hated the way Degas painted his wife in painting of him and his wife so much, that he cut her out. The painting was a gift. Ouch!
The friendship was a love/hate one, accusing each other of copying their subject matter. However, they are said to have strongly influenced each other. When Manet died, Degas is said to have bought dozens of his paintings. It seems they really did love each other deep down.
Pollock and De Kooning
Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning met when they were exhibiting together in 1942. However, once Pollock’s painting eclipsed De Kooning’s fame, De Kooning got jealous. That said, seven years later, Pollock admitted that De Kooning was one of his favourite artists in an interview for Life magazine.
After Pollock’s death in 1956 in a car crash, De Kooning was quoted as saying “It’s over. I’m number one” – at Pollock’s own funeral. Even more scandalously, De Kooning went on to date Ruth Kligman one year later. Kligman had survived the car crash with Pollock and was romantically involved with De Kooning for four years.
Hirst and Koons
One Brit and one American. Both controversial leaders of the contemporary art world today. During the 1990s when the pair burst onto the scene, they were direct rivals competing for global acclaim.
The pair are credited with driving and defining the contemporary art scene through their innovation and style. While Hirst is known for the shock factor, Koons is famous for the way he manipulates the mundane aspects of everyday life. As the two are still active today, it will be interesting to see how far their rivalry will continue to push one another.
Matisse and Picasso
Matisse and Picasso met in 1906 and were strongly influenced by one another. The pair also had a friendship that endured for decades. In fact, Picasso’s Demoiselles D’Avignon which is said to have started the Cubist movement was inspired by Matisse’s Fauvist Le Bonheur de Vivre. But instead of being honoured, Matisse became a strong and open skeptic of Cubism.
Later, Picasso criticised Matisse for accepting a commission because of its religious links. It is also said that when the two met they were very competitive with one another. In fact, Francoise Gilot, one of Picasso’s many partners, if quoted as saying: “Pablo always sought to charm Matisse, like a dancer, but in the end, it was Matisse who conquered Pablo.” It is likely that their jealousy and admiration of one another pushed their art to the next level.
Text by Lizzy Vartanian
