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From 1775 To 1784

4 min read
From 1775 To 1784

The 18th century was a time of great change in the world of art. New styles and movements emerged, and artists began to experiment with new techniques and materials. This period saw the rise of some of the most famous names in art history, such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Velazquez. It was also a time of great political and social upheaval, and many of the artworks of the period reflect the changing world around them.

Virgil's Tomb by Moonlight, with Silius Italicus Declaiming

British, Derby 1734–1797 Derby / The Met

    The painting is of a site that had long been a popular destination for visitors to Naples.
    The painting depicts the tomb of Virgil, author of the Aeneid.

Boiserie from the Hôtel de Cabris, Grasse

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts / The Met

    Commissioned for the new residence of Jean-Paul de Clapiers, marquis de Cabris, in Grasse, this paneling made in Paris is a pure expression of the Neoclassical style.
    Originally the room had five sets of double doors and an equal number of mirrors, achieving a beautiful harmony by the alternation of the carved and gilded panels with the reflective glass surfaces.
    The rounded corners display trophies of musical instruments suspended from bow-tied ribbons.
   Smoking incense burners on tripod stands, a motif derived from classical antiquity, embellish the upper door panels
   The combination of dulled and burnished gilding creates a particularly lively effect

Christ Carrying the Cross, called "The Lord of the Fall"

The American Wing / The Met

    This work belongs to the genre of "statue painting," that is, painted simulacra of sacred images.
    As a "true likeness" of a cult image, it was believed to possess the miraculous powers of the original, a sculpture of Christ the Nazarene venerated in the Cusco church of San Francisco.
    The effectiveness of this type of painting depended on its veracity, a demand that led to the depiction not only of sculptures, but the altars and shrines where they were venerated.

A Shaded Avenue

French, Grasse 1732–1806 Paris / The Met

    Fragonard was a gifted landscapist who combined his knowledge of earlier Dutch painting, notably the dramatic light effects and craggy trees of artists like Jacob van Ruisdael, and his experience in Italy, including its formal gardens and ancient ruins.
    He returned repeatedly to the subject of a long alley of overscaled trees that creates a dark tunnel at the end of which a bright light illuminates a figure or, as here, a fountain.

Capriccio with St. Paul's and Old London Bridge

Italian, Modena 1700–1777 Naples / The Met

    Joli was a pupil of Paolo Panini in Rome
    He was active as a scene painter in northern Italy and especially in Venice

The Mouth of a Cave

French, Paris 1733–1808 Paris / The Met

    Robert made six paintings for the comte d'Artois' salle des bains.
    One of the paintings, The Mouth of the Cave, was restored by Robert in 1784.
    The painting was damaged by dampness and Robert restored it.

Portrait of a Woman

British, Derby 1734–1797 Derby / The Met

    Joseph Wright of Derby was the first major British painter to work almost entirely outside London.
    Most of his patrons were merchants or industrialists from the Midlands or members of the local gentry.

The Cascade

From 14th Century To 15th Century

From 14th Century To 15th Century

During the 14th and 15th centuries, artists in Europe began to break away from the traditional Gothic style. They began to experiment with new techniques and styles, resulting in a period of great creativity and innovation in the arts. Some of the most famous artworks from this period include the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, and the sculptures of Donatello. Box with Romance Scenes     This coffret illustrated with scenes from Arthurian and other courtly literature of the M
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From 1819 To 1826

From 1819 To 1826

The 19th century was a time of great change in the world of art. Artists began to experiment with new styles and media, and the art world was forever changed as a result. Some of the most famous artists of the time include Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso. The Falls of Niagara     The painting is of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.     The painting is based on a vignette of the falls from a map of North America published by Henry S. Tanner in 1822. Heroic Landscape w
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From 1787 To 1800

From 1787 To 1800

The 18th century was a time of great change in the world of art. New styles and genres emerged, and artists began to experiment with new techniques and materials. The art of the 18th century reflected the changing times, and the growing interest in the natural world and the human form. Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby     The Irish actress Elizabeth Farren made her London debut in 1777 and soon became one of the most popular comic performers of the day.  
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