Following the Paris Commune of 1871, history painters resorted to indirect reference in paintings of obscure episodes in mediaeval history.
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From David’s history paintings of the end of the eighteenth century, the genre went from strength to strength, with major works by Goya, Géricault, and even Manet.
It was the patrons who funded, enabled, and occasionally directed the movement towards realism and secular subjects, and developed the genres.
In which Don Quixote thinks he stopped a youth being beaten, gets a beating himself, and ends up back in his bed while his priest sets about burning his library.
More extraordinary tales from French and European history told in his paintings.
He was probably the last traditional history painter in Europe. This selection of his works is accompanied by full explanations of the history behind each.
In which we learn the cause of his madness, and how he equips himself as a knight. He then ventures forth on his first sally, to get himself dubbed as a knight by an innkeeper.
Wonderful paintings by Reni, Fragonard, Evelyn De Morgan, Poussin, Rubens, and a very unusual late Fantin-Latour.
Humorous paintings of animals and children, and well-known stories such as Salome, and Don Quixote, leading to an inspiration for Surrealists.
It’s unusual and difficult to make humorous paintings. Here’s a fine selection from Bosch, Brueghel and Rubens to the late 19th century.
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