Telling a story in a standalone painting, and telling one in illustrations, are very different. Examples by Masaccio, Poussin, Crane, Rackham, and Hogarth.
Poussin
After his banishment from Rome, Caius Marcius co-led the Volscians and brought them almost to the city’s gates, ready to invade. He was then sent a deputation of women.
Far from being the idyllic countryside, the gleaners who followed the harvesters brought a strong social message.
How a nymph is reputed to have dictated the first laws of Rome, and warrior triplets saved Rome from Alba. Poussin, David and others.
A celebration of painted dragons in European art, including Moreau, William Blake, Raphael, Tintoretto and others.
Romulus as founder of Rome, including the Rape of the Sabine Women and paintings by Rubens, Poussin, Ingres, David and others.
God of the sea, there’s more to him than the white-bearded ancient mariner. Paintings by Crane, Poussin, Dyce and others.
Little painted until Courbet’s huge ‘Burial at Ornans’, most were drawn from classical mythology or history, and one showing the Hutsul people of the Ukraine.
Was a primordial deity, attendant at Aphrodite’s birth, or her son by Ares/Mars? When did he get his bow and arrows? Answered in fine paintings.
Sleeping figures painted by Rubens, Poussin, Velázquez, William Blake, Richard Dadd and other masters.
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