Category Archives: 19th Century

Important Artistic Movements: Romanticism

Important Artistic Movements: Romanticism After having recently looked at the Baroque era of art, it is now, only pertinent that we explore the early 19th century movement of Romanticism and how this influenced the world of art – providing a … Continue reading

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The Human Figure in Art

Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by the human form and have displayed this interest through the use of art. Just about every artist from Pablo Picasso to Michelangelo has explored the complexity and beauty of the human figure, but … Continue reading

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The Low Countries’ Use of Flowers in Still Life Paintings

The English term still life is derivative of the Dutch word stilleven, and the style has many connections to the country. In 15th-century Early Netherlandish (Flemish primitive) paintings, the borders of artwork often featured elaborate displays of flowers, animals, insects and, in the instance of the famous … Continue reading

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The Ludovici family

Original bookplate for A. Ludovici, An artist’s life in London and Paris 1870-1925, 1926, with the coat of arms of the Ludovici family The members of the Ludovici clan were international in their roots, their lives and their education, and … Continue reading

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Japonisme, japonaiserie and chinoiserie

Victor Fontaine (1837-84), Guéridon fleuri The collecting of oriental works of art is an activity with a relatively long history in Britain. Chinese and Japanese artefacts had been eagerly acquired by English connoisseurs from the 17th century onwards: see, for … Continue reading

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The Compleat Angler

Catherine Wood, The Compleat Angler, exh. R.A 1910  Catherine Morris Wood was born in Islington in 1857, one of three sisters, to a London barrister and a Scottish mother.  In 1879 she won a scholarship to the Royal Female School … Continue reading

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Why do we like naïve art?

Late 19th-early 20th century American School, Still life with fish, after William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) The Association of British Naïve Artists publishes quite a long introduction to the history of naïve art on its website, reiterating the qualities of innocence, … Continue reading

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Terry Watts: art, nature and the Romantic

The Romantic movement in art grew out of an increased interest in the sublime and in picturesque notions of nature in the late 18th century. Before that, anything beyond the walls of the estate or garden had been regarded as … Continue reading

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William Morris and art for all…

William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London What tremendous and heartening news that the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow has been declared the Art Fund Museum of the Year, winning £100,000 to keep it going on its starry voyage … Continue reading

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New acquisition – Gustaf Olof Olle Hjortzberg

This beautiful still life is by the late Swedish artist, Gustaf Olof Olle Hjortzberg (1872-1959). The composition derives from the japoniste paintings of the late 19th and early 20th century. Similarity can be drawn to Carl Larsson’s works in the clarity … Continue reading

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