The visual tradition of a stairway to heaven appears quite recent. I propose that Blake was its originator.
Rembrandt
How Sargent’s portrait of a young New York bride turned into a provocative account of The New Woman.
A summary chronology of the major milestones in the history of oil painting, with copious illustrations from the masters.
His later paintings in particular were the first major works to exploit the visual effects produced by surface texture. How?
Sorolla was not the only major painter in Spain around 1900. Here are some major works from Simonet, from 1887 to 1899.
Introduction to a series explaining the history of oil paint, effects on techniques, hence on paintings themselves.
An unusually moral story of the classical gods; superb paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Elsheimer, and others.
How Rembrandt’s uses lighting to enhance and add to his narrative, and how one of his greatest paintings got cut up and went to Sweden.
Painting a literary narrative, by Rembrandt, John Martin, and Washington Allston.
The strongest and most moving narrative can be the simplest: one woman and one dagger.
The Eclectic Light Company 