By the end of the 18th century, remains of Pompeii were being excavated and inspired painters to re-imagine life and death in the city.
Bryullov
Sleeping Beauty, a morning nude, in sickness, and the deathbed. Killed in bed, two unusual depictions of the Virgin Mary in bed, and one of a bed floating on the River Seine.
From Blake onwards, dreams often take over the whole view, with the dreamer the only link to reality. Examples from Blake, Rossetti, Hodler and others.
Emperors Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and finally Vespasian before stability was restored. Painted stories of the Batavians, final minutes of Vitellius, and the destruction of Pompeii.
JMW Turner and John Martin painted apocalyptic visions, but others like JC Dahl and O Achenbach opted for the less spectacular.
The Eclectic Light Company 