Our ancestors went to the beach and swam there for health. They soon wrapped themselves up in clothing, though, and only in late 19th century dared to dress for the beach.
history of painting
Overview and table of contents of the new genre of interiors. History, artists, rooms, furniture and decor.
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.
More views of rolling chalk hills in the south-east of England, here from Edward Stott, Spencer Gore, Paul Nash, Eric Ravilious, and others.
Views of and from rolling chalk hills in the south-east of England, including Samuel Palmer, Richard Burchett, Barbara Bodichon, and the Pre-Raphaelite John Brett.
From dice shooters in a rough tavern, through Bastien-Lepage’s Little Chimneysweep, to poverty in Catania, and destitution in Paris.
His finest narrative paintings from Susanna and the Elders in 1890, through Salome and Homeric Laughter, to Ariadne on Naxos and the Trojan Horse in 1924.
From his first self-portrait when he was 29, through his wild years in Munich and Berlin, his stroke in 1911, and the First World War, to his last shortly before his death 100 years ago.
Originally extracted from the madder plant, and turned into a pigment by laking, its colour could fade within months. Later purified to alizarin it proved no better, and is now used as a measure of non-lightfastness.
The red that lasts hundreds of years without fading, but it’s a highly toxic salt of mercury. Used in European paintings from the Romans to the late 19th century.
The Eclectic Light Company 