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CATS BEING INSTRUCTED IN THE ART OF MOUSE-CATCHING BY AN OWL
Cats being educated on catching mice by an owl. A playful joke painting, commenting on noisy night animals and their screeching in the dark. The mice are supposed to be the notes that they are following. Lombard School, Circa 1700, oil on canvas -
Alexander the Great Threatened by His Father
The primary colors in the background of the painting are striking against the secondary colors. Our view is drawn to the struggle between Alexander and his father because of these contrasts in color. Alexander the Great Threatened by His Father, Donato Creti, 1700-1705, oil on canvas -
A Companion of Diana
Lemoyne began work on his statue in 1710, but did not finish before Louis' death in 1715, by which time the project had languished. Lemoyne completed this work in 1724, and it was eventually installed in the garden of the new king's Chateau de la Muette. Jean-Louis Lemoyne, French, 1666 - 1755, A Companion of Diana, 1724, marble. -
The Abduction of Europa
According to the story told in Ovid's Metamorphoses, the god Jupiter, smitten with the nymph Europa, transformed himself into a white bull and abducted her. Here Jupiter swims away with Europa on his back attended by a host of sea deities. Noël Nicolas Coypel, 1690–1734, The Abduction of Europa, 1726–1727, oil on canvas, Philadelphia Museum of Art -
Princesse de Rohan
Marie-Sophie de Courcillon (1713–1756), second wife of Hercule-Mériadec de Rohan (1669–1749), is shown seated holding a book, entitled Histoire universelle, which is open at the chapter on Mariage chez les Anciens. Jean-Marc Nattier, Princesse de Rohan. 1741. Oil on canvas. -
The Veiled Truth
The iconography of the chapel, located near Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, stemmed from the exoteric fancy of Raimondo di Sangro (1710-1771), an alchemist, freemason and intellectual of the Age of Enlightenment. The Veiled Truth (aka modesty / chastity), by Antonio Corradini, 1751, Cappella Sansevero, Naples, Italy. -
Idyllic Landscape with Woman Fishing
With its serene background and peaceful setting, the sky is the focus for the photo. Much like the name suggests, the scene of the landscape is very idyllic and serene as one would expect when fishing, much like the woman is doing in the painting. François Boucher, 1703–1770, Idyllic Landscape with Woman Fishing, 1761, oil on canvas, Indianapolis Museum of Art, -
Calliope
Known for being the muse of epic poetry, this sculpture falls into the realm of neoclassicism. Calliope's drapery falls heavily, while the nymph's swirls around her. The linear folds that cling as if damp to Calliope's torso recall ancient Greek sculpture, which was increasingly admired in the late eighteenth century. Augustin Pajou, French, 1730 - 1809, Calliope, c. 1763, marble -
Iglesia de La Merced
The Mercedarians were the first to establish a male monastery at the former Santiago de Guatemala. Iglesia de La Merced, Antigua Guatemala, Spanish seismic baroque, 1751-1767 -
Young Girl Reading
The model for this painting, who is unknown, is the embodiment of the lifestyle of the French pre-revolution, especially in the members of high society. Young Girl Reading, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, 1769 -
Madame François Buron
We are shown in this painting how knowledgeable people wanted to be during this time period, even those who were rich or higher up in society. This included women as well. Jacques-Louis David, French, 1748–1825, Madame François Buron, 1769, Oil on canvas -
The Battle of La Hogue
Benjamin West, American, 1738 - 1820, The Battle of La Hogue, c. 1778, oil on canvas. Here, in 1771, West depicts a recent incident, set against a recognizable location, with figures in contemporary dress. -
The Death of the Earl of Chatham
On 7 April 1778, William Pitt, the 1st Earl of Chatham, rose to speak in London’s House of Lords. During this debate about the colonial revolutionaries, William suffered a stroke and died a month after this. His death removed one of Britain’s leading political moderates during the critical years of the American War of Independence. John Singleton Copley, American, 1738 - 1815, The Death of the Earl of Chatham, 1779 -
Bust of Marie Antionette
Louis-Simon Boizot (1743–1809) sculpted this marble bust of Marie Antoinette in 1781. It was commissioned by the Ministère des Affaires and is now owned by the Louvre. -
Monumental Urn
The scenes on the urns include some of Clodion's most popular vignettes, which he copied many times in terracotta. He is most known for his works of charm. Clodion, French, 1738 - 1814, Monumental Urn, 1782, marble -
Portrait of a Young Woman Playing a Lyre
Much like other works of this time, musical instruments were an increasingly popular way to express ones self. This portrait embodies not only the musical side but also mixes with a mythological aspect as well through the woman's use of a lyre. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, 1755–1842, Portrait of a Young Woman Playing a Lyre, c. 1786, oil on canvas -
Oedipus Cursing His Son
In this painting, after murdering his father and marrying his mother, Oedipus is completely ashamed. Oedipus, having blinded himself in remorse, is depicted here with blood-red eyes in a thick, scabby paint—the opposite of the normal use of smooth, clear textures for eyes.
Henry Fuseli, Swiss, 1741 - 1825, Oedipus Cursing His Son, Polynices, 1786, oil on canvas -
Italian Landscape
The villas and castles atop the bluffs recall Wright’s studies in Italy from 1773 to 1775, but the rutted road and gentle hills in the front resemble his own central England. Although the painting resembles many others of this time, the shimmering colors are uniquely those of Joseph Wright. Joseph Wright, British, 1734 - 1797, Italian Landscape, 1790, oil on canvas, -
The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
The Archangel Michael, as the agent of the Lord’s wrath, expels the first sinners from Eden. Eve begs for forgiveness, while Adam covers his face to hide his sobbing. They wear fur robes because God clothed them in “coats of skins” so that they could stand unashamed in his presence, but because of their sin are now ashamed. Satan’s serpent, now cursed, slithers away on its belly to eat dust.
Benjamin West, American, 1738 - 1820, The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, 1791, oil on canvas -
Le Discret
This painting was made originally on aluminum and later transferred to canvas. It was brought to America by Napoleon Bonaparte's older brother, Joseph. The name of the painting means to be discreet or to keep someones secret. Joseph Ducreux, Le Discret, c. 1791, oil on aluminum, transferred from canvas, Spencer Museum of Art
