Jacob Collins presents his manifesto on the school of classical realism taught at Grand Central Atelier, arguing for a renewed culture of connoisseurship and patronage necessary to keep its traditions alive. He is the Founder of Grand Central Atelier and a leading figure in the contemporary revival of classical painting. He earned a BA in history from Columbia College, attended the New York Studio School, the New York Academy of Art, and the Art Students League. As a student, Collins also copied extensively in museums in America and Europe. His work has been widely exhibited in North America and Europe and is included in several American museums.

Collins founded Grand Central Atelier in 2006 to provide artists with a rigorous, highly structured education in the classical fine arts. The Atelier’s core curriculum is built on 15th- to 19th-century atelier methodologies, guiding students through a disciplined progression from cast drawing and grisaille painting to advanced figure drawing, painting, and sculpture. To complement studio work, the program integrates artistic anatomy, perspective, art history, museum master copies, and architectural drawing, equipping students with the technical mastery required to execute complex, classical compositions. Located in Ridgewood, Queens, Grand Central Atelier serves as a vital center for the contemporary classical art movement.

This talk is presented as part of the Bruce Cole Humanities Initiative and made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.