ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

This artist recreates iconic paintings and hides them in abandoned locations, and the contrast is stunning

Architectural ruin juxtaposes Julio Anaya Cabanding's recreations of famous art by the likes of Vermeer and Monet.

Spanish artist Julio Anaya Cabanding has a deft hand, and he enjoys putting it to good (and unusual) use.

Cabanding recreates famous works of art and hangs the paintings in abandoned places: inside dilapidated buildings, layered over graffiti, and so on.

Though his recreations — of paintings by Monet, Vermeer, and others — look framed, Cabanding's detailed process is entirely two-dimensional. By layering colors and shades, he's able to create the illusion of frames. This, juxtaposed by the grittiness of abandoned environments, makes his work a feast for the eyes.

Keep scrolling to learn more about his process, and to see some of his edgiest displays.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cabanding paints adjacent to a photo of the actual painting to ensure accuracy.

Cabanding uses acrylic paint, and often mixes his own colors to make sure his replica is on par with the original.

First he sketches an outline, and then he fills it all in.

He's truly a master of recreations: you can barely tell which one is real and which is a replica.

Here, Cabanding recreates "Head of Study" by Fernando Labrada Martin. Look closely at his sketch — you can see the frame is included.

ADVERTISEMENT

The finished products are stunning.

This is a replica of "A Maid Asleep" by Johannes Vermeer. The original hangs in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and was painted around 1656.

Cabanding often hangs his replicas in places that match the vibe of the painting.

The blue sky of Cabanding's Monet replica is intensified by the blue wall on which it hangs.

Like this replica of a Jenaro Pérez Villaamil painting, which is enhanced by the dilapidated brick underneath it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes, Cabanding hangs his replicas indoors.

Inside a run-down building, on top of black and blue graffiti, you'll notice Cabanding's replica of "T

And other times, outdoors.

Cabanding sometimes paints on location for inspiration, as evidenced on his Instagram.

Even in the most desolate areas, a Gauguin can be found, all thanks to Cabanding's hard work.

ADVERTISEMENT

The frame on this one looks totally realistic.

The stark contrast between "high" art and "lowly" places is exactly what Cabanding is going for.

His mission is to remove artwork from "cold" museum settings in order to help us look at it in a different way.

So far, he's been successful.

This recreation of Pere Borrell del Caso's "Huyendo de la crítica" looks like it's jumping out of the wall.

ADVERTISEMENT

His Instagram has almost 4,000 followers, and his artwork has been exhibited in Spain.

It goes to show that art is unlimited — and, as Cabanding has proved, so is the potential of spaces we might ordinarily dismiss.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT