A Visual Guide To Understanding Kanye West's Art Tweets

With Kanye revealing Cruel Summer's album artwork yesterday, with G.O.O.D. Music covering our August/September 2012 issue, and with Kanye momentarily back on his Twitter game, we thought it'd be good to schedule in a little more Yeezy appreciation.

Last week, we showed you that Kanye knows his artists. This week, we're showing you that he also knows his art, as demonstrated through a number of tweets since 2010. Unsurprisingly, Kanye knows his terminology, typography, and art periods. In case you don't, here's your chance to learn before 'Ye or someone else embarrasses you.

A Visual Guide To Understanding Kanye West's Art Tweets

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Gothic and Helvetic Fonts

These are examples of Gothic (left) and Helvetic (right) fonts. Gothic fonts are sans serif typefaces that are usually uniform in stroke weight. There are various styles of Gothic typefaces. Helvetic fonts are also sans serif, made for clarity and neutrality. Clearly, Kanye only fucks with a sans serif typeface, and in good taste. We wouldn't have the email blast any other way.

Ruth Hogben & SHOWStudio.com

Ruth Hogben is a London-based filmmaker who regularly contributes to Nick Knight's SHOWStudio.com, an experimental fashion media platform that's taking over. She's worked with Gareth Pugh, Rick Owens, Louis Vuitton, Barneys, MAC Cosmetics, and Selfridges. She most recently co-directed the incredible "Lost in the World" video with Kanye last May.

Picasso

You know Picasso, right? In case you need a reminder, Picasso is a Spanish painter and sculptor who was one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century (and all time). He co-founded Cubism, invented constructed sculpture, and co-invented collage. His most famous works are the 1907 Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and the 1937 Guernica. Kanye tweeted this famous Picasso quote — "Every child is an artist. The problem is staying an artist when you grow up." 

Mark Twain vs. Andy Warhol

Mark Twain is a classic 19th century author known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Andy Warhol is an American artist who was the leading figure in pop art in the 60s and 70s. If they were competing for best tweets, we honestly don't know who'd win. If they were tweeting at all, we'd be endlessly hyped. Only in dreams.

The Portrait of Power

Marco Brambilla is an Italian artist and filmmaker, who created Kanye's "Power" video in 2010. "The Portrait of Power" is the still version of the video that was put in the elevator of the Standard Hotel in NYC during summer 2010. Thankfully, they used the unedited version.

Marc Newson Boat

Marc Newson is an industrial designer who designed the Aquariva boat, which was made in a limited edition of 22. It debuted in September 2010 at Gagosian Gallery. Is there anything fresher than this???!!??

Marble Conference Tables

What is there to say about marble conference tables? Besides that they're luxurious and swagged out.

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh painted many self-portraits, including the 1889 Self Portrait: Saint-Rémy. He would often paint his self-portraits as he saw himself in the mirror (in reverse). Being "on your Van Gogh" could mean many things...use it however you like.

Pantone Charts

Pantone charts refer to a standardized color matching system that uses Pantone numbering to identify different colors. It's used by manufacturers, designers, and artists to reference specific colors. We imagine Kanye and DONDA use them for everything.

The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a royal château in Versailles, France, that was first built in 1664. It has 2,153 windows, 2,300 rooms, 67 staircases, 6,123 paintings, 1,500 drawings, 15,034 engravings, 2,102 sculptures, and 5,210 pieces of furniture. Its purpose was to house the royal family after the French Revolution. Yeah, it's the definition of monarchy and luxury.

Baroque & Mod

Baroque refers to a period in art, architecture, and music in the 17th and 18th centuries, where exaggerated drama, rich colors, and intense light and dark shadows comprised the preferred aesthetic. Mod refers to the subculture in London, England, during the late 1950s and early-to-mid 60s that spanned fashion and music. Music like soul, ska, beat music, and R&B, vehicles like motor scooters, and clothing like tailor-made suits were popular at this time. When the movement ended in the mid-to-late 60s, the term "mod" came to mean anything modern, popular, or in style. If baroque and mod had a car crash, we're guessing the ambulance would be absolutely cray.