Louis Blériot’s flight across the Channel in 1909, biplanes in the air war in 1914-18, and the Battle of Britain seen from a distance in 1941.
history
From earliest ascents in hot air balloons from 1783 onwards, their role in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, to the first airships and Wright style aircraft.
Successful on his 4th attempt at the Prix de Rome, he became the leading Neoclassical painter and painted history and other narratives. Then he became embroiled in the French Revolution.
In his later career he returned to rural themes, although his last major work showed Les Halles, the main market in Paris at the time.
A precocious artist whose Naturalist paintings showed the harsh realities of rural poverty and hard labour. A friend of Zola, he also painted leading figures in science.
Country folk lured by the promise of material goods and wealth, fine clothes and smart carriages, who end up working in coal mines and struggling to stave off poverty.
The endless other world of chimneys and snow-covered roofs in Paris and other cities. Munch’s growing anxiety culminating in The Scream of angst.
Plague ravaged cities across Europe and much of the world, cholera came from contaminated water supplies, then there were influenza and tuberculosis.
No public holidays, and no paid leave either. Despite that, mill workers travelled by train to the seaside in Wakes Weeks.
From the Royal Parks in London at the turn of the 19th century, through the parks of Paris, Rome, Vienna, New York City and Brooklyn.
The Eclectic Light Company 