A frail artist from Valenciennes, a city in the northern part of France, moved to Paris in the early 18th-century to make a name for himself as a painter. While he only partially succeeded in his goal during his lifetime, this French artist did manage to transform the world of art in the 18th century …
Paintings
It’s no secret that the most renowned artists in history often got invited to decorate the walls of newly constructed buildings such as palaces and churches. This often included painting the walls of these buildings, artworks that are referred to as frescoes. When Annibale Carracci (1560-1609) was commissioned to decorate the ceiling of one of …
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 …
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 …
