One of the greatest Spanish artists in history was once a poor man himself who could identify himself with beggars and outcasts. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) became one of the most famous artists in history, but a period in the early 20th century tells us that this wasn’t always an easy road. Let’s take a closer …
Artworks
When you think about fantastical religious paintings, the oeuvre of Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516) is one of the most fascinating in art history. Art historians have been debating for centuries whether or not his paintings were serious or merely comical interpretations of an artistic genius. Bosch was a Dutch artist, named after the town of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, …
One of the most important events during the career of Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) was an extended trip to Morocco in the early 1830s. The French artist already painted his iconic “Liberty Leading the People” in 1830 and needed some new inspiration following the French Revolution that year. Just like most Romantic artists of his time, …
The Expressionist art movement emerged in the northern part of Europe in the early 20th century. It’s one of the most radical modern art movements in history. Expressionist artists aimed to portray things the way they felt them as opposed to how they appeared to everybody. This subjective element allowed them to convey their own …
The Baroque era produced several artists who have left a permanent mark on the world of art. They added theatrical drama, dynamism, and splendid colors to their works to enhance the grandeur of their time. Annibale Carracci (1560-1609) was one of the leading Baroque artists and a pioneer in the transition away from the Renaissance …
Of all the portraits painted by Diego Velázquez (1599-1660), the official court painter of the Spanish Royal family during the 17th century, this is arguably the most important one. There are several reasons why this particular portrait of Spanish King Philip IV (1605-1665) is such a remarkable painting in the oeuvre of Velázquez, and we’ll …
One of the most innovative artists in history is considered to be one of the leading figures of the Flemish Primitives. They are known as Early Netherlandish artists and were active in the Low Countries and pioneers of the northern Renaissance. Jan van Eyck (1390-1441) was one of the first artists who mastered oil painting, …
The leading Romantic artist in France in the 19th century was Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863). The French artist became famous for producing monumental artworks, including “Liberty Leading the People” (1830), arguably the most iconic French painting ever produced. An intriguing painting in his oeuvre was a portrait of two of his close friends who were both …
A group of artists was formed in the early 20th century that transformed the world of art indefinitely. The Fauvists or “Wild Beasts” produced some of the most colorful paintings in history. The foundation was laid by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists in the late 19th century. The main difference is that they didn’t care about …
Most of the paintings by Vermeer, the famous Dutch artist who lived during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, depict a scene inside his own house. This painting is no different and depicts items we can admire in some of his other works as well. Let’s take a closer look at some of …