Although of ancient origin, it took 7 centuries for Europeans to use them to cover the floor. They can be exotic in chinoiserie, luxuriant, worn and threadbare, or vibrant.
Boldini
From its origin in portraiture, through to experiments by Renoir, and many oil paintings by Anders Zorn, control over edges can be highly effective.
The human visual system seldom sees blur, and the great majority of paintings don’t show it either. This series explores the use of blur in paintings.
From Renoir in 1881 through multiple Impressonists to Monet in 1908, more views of Piazza San Marco in Venice.
Perception changed with photography, and we came to interpret blur, lines and other devices as indicating motion.
Prodigy and friend of John Singer Sargent, he was a successful portrait-painter to the wealthy and a master pastellist.
Blurring for dramatic effect, and to mimic photographic depth of field effects, were used in the 19th century, but motion blur came later.
Paintings by Vermeer, Delaroche, Whistler, Gérôme, Waterhouse and others showing wonderful carpets and floors.
From Velázquez in the 1640s to Renoir in 1882, portraits and scenes of women sewing were popular. How did they develop?
One of the first international superstars, she was an accomplished painter and sculptor herself. Here’s her life in portraits by her friends.
The Eclectic Light Company 