Bernie Fuchs is a modern master of the post-Golden Age of Illustration. The work is rendered in Fuchs's signature post-impressionist style. All elements of the work are described in a loose manner with quick brush strokes and restricted color scheme. Underlying all Fuchs's work is a solid knowledge of academic art. His faces, figures and fingers are correct. His perspective is correct. Although subtle, Fuchs captures the peak moment of tenderness as the woman holds the man's hand to her face. To my knowledge, there is no one alive today who could paint and draw as good as Bernie Fuchs. That is a simple but profound statement. Why is that so? Academic art is not taught in a rigorous way anymore. The assignment: Paint a man caressing a woman's face at a romantic dinner in a dreamy interior with exterior views of boats docked in a languid sea. Have the work completed and on the Art Director's desk in a week. Give this assignment to 100 of the top-grossing living artist today. I feel confident there is no one who could even come close to Bernie Fuchs. What does this say about the contemporary art world?