Toby Ziff's photography series of the London Underground, known locally as the Tube, self-consciously references the stylistic traits of Renaissance landscapes and portraiture. Though Renaissance painting's subjects tended to be either religious or sublime or both -- qualities that Ziff's subjects certainly don't possess by any traditional measure -- the artistic era had technical aspects that make it possible to imitate with any subject.
To be sure, Toby Ziff's photos contain some decidedly crass and silly images. These include two couples lewdly carousing, a youth vomiting between train cars, and a woman falling through the train doors. However, by sticking to the principles of Renaissance painting, Ziff manages to give his images a classical appearance.
The principles that Ziff adheres to include foreshortening and deep focus, chiaroscuro, and complex, multi-subject frames.
What's Driving This Trend
- Renaissance-style Photography
- Opportunity for photographers to experiment with applying Renaissance painting techniques to modern subjects.
- Classical Aesthetic in Non-traditional Settings
- Potential for artists to apply classical art principles to unlikely subjects, such as the London Underground.
- Modernizing Old Techniques
- Opportunity for artists to innovate by taking old painting techniques and adapting them to modern photography.
Who This Affects Most
- Photography
- Photographers can experiment with adapting Renaissance painting principles to contemporary subjects, creating a unique and classical aesthetic.
- Art
- Artists can explore new ways of applying classical art principles to non-traditional settings and modern mediums, such as photography.
- Tourism
- Tourism industry professionals can leverage the popularity of the London Underground to promote the unique classical aesthetic of Toby Ziff's photography series.
