In the mid-19th century, British art was dominated by academic rules, idealized classicism, and a rather rigid approach to beauty, which was inspired by the paintings from Raphael and the High Renaissance. For a group of young artists, this polished perfection felt lifeless and disconnected from nature, emotion, and truth. In 1848, a group calling …
Artworks
Childe Hassam (1859–1935) can easily be described as one of the most notable Impressionist painters the United States has ever produced. Although he was trained as an illustrator initially, which explains his fine craftsmanship, he studied in Paris at a time when the Impressionists were already at the height of their abilities. Loose brushstrokes and …
Very few painters in history have captured the essence of the mighty ocean’s force like Winslow Homer (1836-1910) did. He completed one of his most revered paintings in the final year of the 19th century and it depicts a topic he had been interested in for a very long time. This mesmerizing work features a …
Very few Flemish artists were so influential to Dutch Golden Age painters as this enigmatic character in art history. Adriaen Brouwer (1605-1638) was most likely born in Oudenaarde, a relatively small city in the East Flanders province of modern-day Belgium. The city he was born in features his statue on one of the picturesque roads. …
In the vast canvas of human emotions, sadness is a color skillfully captured and portrayed by artists throughout the ages. From heart-wrenching depictions of personal loss to poignant reflections on the human condition, the world of art has been a sanctuary for expressing the profound melancholy that touches us all. This article delves into the …
Colorful maritime paintings that are both expressive and turbulent define the oeuvre of J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851). Especially during the final period of Turner’s career, he captured the wild sea in a way that very few artists have done in art history. The English painter completed one of his ultimate masterpieces after being inspired by a …
The Winged Victory of Samothrace is a marble sculpture that has been a symbol of triumph, beauty, and grace for over 2,000 years. This masterpiece, also known as the Nike of Samothrace, depicts the Greek goddess Nike, who was the personification of victory. The statue is considered to be one of the most significant works …
When one of the most famous Flemish artists in history returned to his native city after a nearly decade-long stay in Italy, he earned many prestigious commissions. Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) moved back to Antwerp in 1609 and the art he produced in the following years was heavily inspired by the Italian art he encountered …
The Northern Renaissance emerged in the region of modern-day Belgium and this particular painter is considered to be one of the greats during the 15th century. Rogier van der Weyden (1399-1464) earned commissions from all around Europe as the nobility wanted to get their hands on the Early Netherlandisch paintings produced by this incredible talent. …
If you would ask me to name my favorite landscape painters in history, then this English artist would definitely be on top of my list. John Constable (1776-1837) enjoyed painting the scenery of the place he grew up in, and that’s why it’s now referred to as “Constable Country.” You can literally sense how much …