By the end of the 19th century, problem pictures were popular features in the press. Most successful of British painters was John Collier, but they soon died out in the early 20th century.
narrative
In the 19th century, literary stories changed with the coming of detective and mystery novels. In the latter half of the century, painters gained fame in problem pictures.
A strange dream offers hope when plague strikes the citizens of Rome in 293 BCE. They bring a snake back, the god Aesculapius, who saves the city and has a temple on Tiber Island.
Multiplex narrative, from Ancient Rome soon after 11 BCE, through Masaccio, to Corot in 1836, followed by Lovis Corinth and Benton in 1947.
Example paintings showing instantaneous, multi-image, multi-frame and polymythic narrative, from Poussin to Waterhouse.
Pythagoras links the myths in Ovid’s book in the constant changes seen in nature, and advocates vegetarianism. Then King Numa’s wife dictates to him the laws of Rome.
Parrots in still life paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, accompanying a Turkish page, in English summer, or passing Pierre Bonnard in Saint Tropez.
Parrots as extras in myths, witnessing Eve taking the apple from the serpent, and as companions to a succession of beautiful women.
Romulus ploughs the boundary of the city of Rome, then defeats the Sabine king Tatius, marries his daughter, and is eventually taken to be the god Quirinus.
More painted friezes from Gustav Klimt, Ferdinand Hodler, Evelyn De Morgan, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and others.
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