Rijckaert Atelier.  Courtesy of http://www.johannesvermeer.info

What is an Atelier?

An Atelier (or botegga in Italian) is the private working studio of a professional painter or sculptor -- one who dedicates time to training a limited number of select students who seek to pursue careers as professional artists.

The instruction offered in the atelier tradition evolved from the apprentice system which, in the case of craftsmen and artisans, dates far back into ancient history.  Apprenticeship training of fine artists dates back to the Renaissance.  A master painter or sculptor trained a group of assistants and apprentices until they were ready to work independently.

The tradition whereby individual fine artists devote time to teaching can be traced through the "lineages" of some of the greatest masters of Western European Art.

While the larger Guild Schools and Academies evolved directly from this tradition, the more intimate and personal atelier setting nearly disappeared during the twentieth century.  It was never totally replaced, thanks to a handful of devoted realists who carried on the tradition through the 20th century.

Today, as a result of their commitment, students of realist art can study under numerous draftsmen, and traditionally trained painters and sculptors, as well as attend larger studio schools and academies in the US and abroad.

The preservation and reclamation of historic techniques and methods gives rise to the natural evolution of a contemporary realism.  This in turn allows for the inspired creation of works that reflect contemporary themes and a more universally embraced visual communication.

Wikipedia: Atelier Method