How to paint a landscape with faithful and coherent cast shadows, why most painters don’t do so, and a few get it wrong.
Valenciennes
The hard road to realism: development and propagation of knowledge, how to apply it in paintings, and its benefit on visual art.
In Rome, in search of the temple of Aesculapius, and in the Gardens of the Villa Borghese, with Corot, Velázquez, Valenciennes, and others.
A visit to Rome, in the paintings of Valenciennes, Turner, Paul Bril, Gérôme, and others, and a little history of landscape painting.
Two hundred years ago today, Achille Michallon died, the most brilliant landscape painter of his day in Europe. He was only 25.
A brilliant landscape painter taught by Valenciennes, who in turn taught Corot. Died at the age of only 25 from pneumonia.
Paul Bail left Antwerp, taught Tassi in Rome, who in turn taught Claude Lorrain. Claude-Joseph Vernet learned in Rome, then advised Valenciennes, and so French landscape painting came home.
From sacred symbols in a mosaic of Theodora and the Adoration of the Lamb, to roadside watering holes, and the town’s fresh water supply.
Born in southern Sweden, he won medals at the Royal Swedish Academy, and funds to travel to Europe. He ended up in Rome, where he married.
Highlights of articles and some superb paintings from July to December 2021, features Goya, Steer, Clausen, William Merritt Chase, and more.
The Eclectic Light Company 