Marc Dennis was born in 1974 in Danvers, Massachusetts. He earned a BFA at Tyler School of Art and an MFA at the University of Texas at Austin. He lives in Manhattan and keeps a studio in Montclair, New Jersey. His paintings have appeared in publications such as ArtNews and Art in America.
His work grows from hyperrealism: careful, detailed oil painting that references Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian and other classical painters. He adds contemporary, often humorous elements like animals and small comic gestures. He says he studies form, tone and technique rather than relying only on photographs.
One notable project, Three Jews Walk Into a Bar, places Hasidic figures into Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. Dennis links the series to Holocaust research and to Jewish humor. A critic wrote that the figures “crowd out the picture … as if they were looking not at the past but the future.” He welcomes mixed reactions and says viewers bring their own meanings.
Difficult words
- artist — A person who creates art.
- creativity — The ability to use imagination to make something new.
- identity — The qualities and beliefs that make a person.
- culture — The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a group.
- humor — The quality of being funny or entertaining.
- painting — A picture made with paint on a surface.paintings
- dialogue — A conversation or discussion about something.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think humor is important in art?
- How can art influence cultural identity?
- What role does creativity play in responding to social issues?
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