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Art of the 19th Century
For my Time Toast assignment, I combed through and selected what I consider to be some of the most influential and important pieces of art created in the 19th century. Though I had little knowledge of 19th-century art going into this assignment, I used it as an opportunity to learn about and understand what kinds of pieces and techniques influenced the art of the 20th century. -
The Nude Maja
"The Nude Maja" is an oil canvas painting created by Francisco Goya sometime between 1797 and 1800. Featuring a nude woman laying down upon a pile of pillows, the painting is most known for being one of the first Western paintings to feature a woman's pubic hair and the model's generally unashamed expression. This work by Goya not only upset the authorities of his day, but also intrigued and advanced society's overall value of artistic expression. -
The Third of May
Another of Francisco Goya's most notorious paintings, "The Third of May" memorializes the efforts of the Spanish Resistance during Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808. In focusing on the Peninsular War, "The Third of May" has remained relevant due to its authentic and emotionally sturring depiction of war and the horrors that accompany it. -
The Raft of the Medusa
Originally finished in 1818, "The Raft of the Medusa" was painted by renowned French Artist, Théodore Géricault. An icon of French Romanticism, the painting depicts the crew of the naval frigate "Médusa" and its remaining 147 crewmen setting sail on an improvised raft. After 15 of them died, the remaining survivors were forced to resort to cannibalism, causing a huge scandal in the French government and military. -
The Great Wave Off Kanagawa
Finished sometime between 1829 and 1833, "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" is a beloved painting by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. The piece depicts an enormous wave as it is about to swallow three small fishing boats. Off in the distant background, the peak of Mt. Fuji is visible. Though many believe the painting is depicting a tsunami, it is more likely to be a "rogue wave". -
The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons
A canvas oil painting created by J.M.W. Turner completed in 1834, depicts Turner's firsthand witnessing of the burning of Parliament that occurred on October 16, 1834. Opposite Westminster, Turner used pencil and watercolor to sketch the burning from multiple vantage points, including a boat he had rented. Though this is just one of them, Turner finished two separate paintings depicting the burning of Parliament. -
Venice, from the Porch of Madonna Della Salute
Another painting by Joseph Mallard William Turner, this time depicting the point where the Palace of Venice's foundation first begins to merge into the surrounding water. Originally based on a sketch he had made in 1819, the painting would not be completed until Turner's second visit to Venice in 1833. Eventually, the piece made its debut at the Royal Academy of London in 1835. -
Luncheon on the Grass
Created by Édouard Manet throughout 1862 and 1863, "Luncheon on the Grass" or "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe" depicts two clothed men and two nude women enjoying a picnic/bath in the middle of the woods. When first revealed to the public, Manet's painting garnered both praise and controversy. Now, however, it can be found on display in the "Musée d'Orsay" in Paris, France. -
The Red Kerchief
Also known as "The Red Cape", "The Red Kerchief" was painted by Claude Monet in 1868. The painting depicts Monet's wife, Camille, as she walks by the window of the couple's home. Of all his many paintings, it is believed "The Red Kerchief" is Monet's only snow-related work to feature his wife, Camille. -
The Dance Class
Created by Edgar Degas in 1874, "The Dance Class" depicts an imaginary ballet class being led by renowned ballet master, Jules Perrot. Though it had burned down the year prior, this painting serves as a tribute to the old Paris Opera and its most well-known star, Jean-Baptiste Faure. Today, the painting can be found on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. -
Impression, Sunrise
Another of Claude Monet's most famous paintings, "Impression, Sunrise" depicts the port of Le Havre, Monet's hometown. After its debut in 1874 at the "Exhibition of Impressionists" in Paris, Monet's painting would eventually be credited with having inspired the name of the "Impressionist Movement". Today, it can be found in Paris at the Musée Marmottan Monet. -
Woman with a Parasol
Also known as "The Stroll", "Woman with a Parasol" is an oil canvas painting created by Claude Monet in 1875. The impressionist painting depicts Monet's wife, Camille, and their son, Jean. While living in the Argenteuil between 1871 and 1876, the painting serves as a representation of Monet's family and the years they spent there together. The painting is most known for its effective depiction of a mother and son out for a stroll on a beautiful, windy day. -
A Girl with a Watering Can
Created in 1876 by artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the painting was done in the impressionist style and is believed to have been painted in Claude Monet's own famous garden in Argenteuil. Though it is not known for sure, many believe the painting depicts a local neighborhood girl dressed in blue holding a watering can. Currently, "A Girl with a Watering Can" can be found at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. -
The Studio Boat
One of Claude Monet's most well-known works, "The Studio Boat" is an oil canvas painting done in the impressionist style. After moving to Argenteuil in 1872, Monet bought the boat and transformed it into his own floating studio. Living on the Seine River itself, the boat afforded Monet an opportunity to create and produce numerous paintings depicting the Seine River and its ships from perspectives Monet had only ever dreamed about reaching. -
Madame X
Originally painted by John Singer Sargent, "The Portrait of Madame X" depicts the wife of notable French Banker Pierre Gautreau, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau. Thought to be a study in opposition, Sargent's portrait features a woman wearing jewels and dressed in a beautiful black dress that hides as much as it reveals. Though the painting would eventually help boost Sargent's career as an artist in Britain and America, the painting caused great controversy when revealed to Paris in 1884 -
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
Painted throughout 1884 and 1886, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" is one of, if not the most, famous piece created by renowned artist Georges Seurat. A founding work of the neo-impressionist movement and a leading example of "pointillism" as a technique of art. Much like Monet's work, the painting depicts numerous people enjoying a nice evening on the Seine River. -
The Vision After the Sermon
Created by Paul Gaugin in 1888, "The Vision After the Sermon" is an oil painting that depicts a scene from the Christian Bible. More specifically, it depicts a moment in the Bible where Jacob wrestles with an Angel of the Lord. However, it is depicting a vision of this scene that had been revealed to a group of women shortly after a sermon at their church. -
Starry Night
Created by the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, "Starry Night" is an impressionist painting first done on an oil canvas. The piece depicts Van Gogh's view from his room in the Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Asylum where he had been staying at the time. Perhaps his most well-known work, "Starry Night" was painted just before sunrise and features a fictitious village along its bottom. Today, it can be found on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. -
The Scream
First painted in 1893, "The Scream" is perhaps the most popular and well-known piece made by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Though it has become known to many as "The Scream", the piece's original title is actually Der Schrei der Natur or "The Scream of Nature". As one of the most influential works of art ever created, the piece symbolizes humanity's struggle with anxiety and the human condition. -
An Interior in Venice
Most known for its near-perfect depiction of Italy's Higher Society at the time, "An Interior in Venice" by John Singer Sargent presents the interior of the Palazzo Barbaro on the Grand Canal, a popular gathering place for artists such as Sargent, Claude Monet, and Robert Browning. Though Sargent had eventually offered it to the couple in the painting, it was rejected by them due to its general "disregard for decorum" at the time. -
The Water Lily Pond
A series of over 250 different Expressionist paintings, Claude Monet's "Water Lillies" is a series of paintings depicting the flower garden outside of Monet's home in Giverny and compose the majority of Monet's artistic work throughout the final 30 years or so of his life. Eventually, it would become known that the majority of these works had been created by Monet as he suffered from cataracts.