A summary history from 1700 to the 20th century, with examples of major paintings, and links to each of the detailed articles in this series.
Thornhill
Shipwreck in The Tempest, forgotten Impressionists, a threshing machine, a weekend on the River Seine, a pair of portraits of Thomas and Susan Eakins, a pair of clowns, and more.
Two of Hogarth’s later narrative series: Four Time of the Day, and Marriage A-la-Mode, were key in his new British narrative painting.
Hogarth devised series of paintings to tell moral stories entirely visually. A Harlot’s Progress and A Rake’s Progress broke new ground in British if not European painting.
Blocked by church doctrine, cultural shortcomings, lack of training and a preference for hiring established artists from continental Europe, narrative painting started with James Thornhill.
The Eclectic Light Company 