The first modern synthetic pigment, from 1704. Adopted by Canaletto, Hogarth and many others since, and still offered in many paint ranges.
painting
First imported through Venice by 1300, it became more precious than gold until it could be made synthetically from 1830. The queen of pigments.
In 1579, 7 of the more northerly provinces in the Low Countries formed the Dutch Republic. That soon prospered from its international trade, and saw the creation of millions of paintings that changed European art.
They were once common across northern Europe, now only 31 remain. JC Dahl salvaged one and painted, and Harriet Backer painted the unique interior of another.
Painting captions give information you’d never get from looking at an image, and that in turn tells you even more. This series looks beyond mere images at the media behind them.
Dante is wandering lost in a dark wood, his way out obstructed by wild animals. He asks a man to help, only to discover he’s the ghost of Virgil and they’re on their way to Hell.
In his later career he returned to rural themes, although his last major work showed Les Halles, the main market in Paris at the time.
In the 20th century, those visiting the south of France claimed nude bathing was traditional, while the rest of Europe and the USA were still developing bathing costumes.
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.
If there’s one book every head of state and leader should read, it’s Dante’s Inferno. Introduction to a new series showing paintings of this first part of his Divine Comedy.
The Eclectic Light Company 