He specialised in history paintings of the Tudor and Stuart period, and later painted problem pictures to puzzle the viewer. He died 100 years ago today.
Gainsborough
In his later years, he painted some unusual religious works, including an episode from the life of St Thomas of Villaneuva, and the heavenly and earthly trinities.
The first in a series of 4, starts with Dürer’s brilliant paintings, looks at Raphael, Hans Bol, and the beginnings of the ‘English School’.
Among his last paintings are six superb landscapes, painted for his pleasure. What a wonderful end to such an illustrious career.
Is it really futile and impossible to try to paint the wind? Here’s a selection of evidence, drawn from landscapes and marines.
Portraits by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Kauffmann, and others show extensive brushstrokes.
His old oaks were saplings during the Middle Ages, and he was a great influence on Gainsborough, Constable, and others.
He intended to be a landscape painter, and was co-founder of the British school of landscape painting. A major influence of Constable and others.
A chronological index to articles in this series, with example paintings.
Constable may seem an unlikely revolutionary, but his landscapes and their trees inspired the Barbizon School and Impressionists.
The Eclectic Light Company 