By the end of the 19th century, 80% of those in Europe lived in towns and cities, drawn there by the promise of material riches that were not available to them in the country. This new series explores what they faced.
Hogarth
Their use by armies of the distant past, in the war against Troy, the sack of Rome, the Battle of Issus, by Alexander the Great, and in Crusades.
The origin of Helen, perhaps, ready to be served to Mercury and Jupiter, caged in Rome’s Capitol, or cared for young girls.
A small selection of favourites from its huge and eclectic collection, from Duccio in about 1310 to Joseph Wright of Derby and a gem from Thomas Jones.
From William Hogarth’s series “A Harlot’s Progress”, to the descent of the seamstress from sewing machine to prostitution. A popular 19th century story.
Gambling as a sure road to Hell, with Bosch, Caravaggio, Georges de la Tour, Hogarth, Géricault, Courbet, Rossetti, and others.
Hatboxes from Shakespeare to the Champs Elysées, the wig-box of hanged highwayman, Dickens’ cashboxes, and the painter’s pochade.
The sign of (human) death. Lots of skulls means mass death or apocalypse. Held by Hamlet, featured in vanitas paintings, and with Mary Magdalene.
More important than perspective projection are cues including depth order, relative size, height in the picture plane, and aerial perspective.
Apelles, Vermeer, Goya, Hogarth, Courbet, Pissarro, de Haan, and Gustav Klimt: their paintings now lost forever.
The Eclectic Light Company 