He continued to paint religious works and folk tales after his spell in Kiev painting frescoes in the cathedral there.
myth
Described as a Symbolist, he painted a wide range of Russian and Slavic folk tales, and was a friend of Ilya Repin.
Moreau defined painting as “this language of symbol, myth and sign”, and this is his greatest expression of that.
Moreau is often claimed as a ‘father of Symbolism’, or even a Symbolist. A detailed look at his first great success at the Salon: is it regular narrative or symbolist?
His last chance to establish ‘modern’ history painting, with the Napoleonic Wars and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.
With ‘modern history paintings’ long behind him, he turned to literary subjects and classical histories once more.
He took a break from ‘modern history’ painting in the 1780s, making religious works and even some landscapes, including some unknown gems.
During this period spent mainly in Florence, he learned from the innovations of Leonardo da Vinci, who was there at the same time. Raphael’s own style emerges.
Includes his record of William Penn making his treaty with the Lenape, a strange family portrait, and an obscure naval battle.
Some of his earliest independent paintings, including two wonderful pairs based on legend and contemporary literature.
