Rembrandt van Rijn, Saint Bartholomew
Rembrandt van Rijn, born in 1606, is considered one of the greatest artists of all time and acclaimed for his compelling representations of the human condition. Known primarily for his portraits and landscapes, Rembrandt remained interested throughout his life in history and biblical painting. The subject of this large, dramatic painting from the artist's mature period is Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles. The apostle, flayed alive for his beliefs, holds in his right hand a butcher's knife, a symbol of his martyrdom. The saint's slightly unsettled pose and expression of deep thought suggest that he is contemplating his own demise. Rembrandt conveys a mood of introspection in his late works, in contrast to his earlier, more theatrical pictures, and renders light, textures, and the sense of form in space with complex schemes of loose brushwork and glazes.
Pieter Brueghel I, Parable of the Sower
This painting of the parable of the sower from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke is among the earliest signed paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, one of the geniuses of Northern European painting. A lone peasant in the left foreground scatters seeds in an upland pasture. The seeds he has already sown have multiplied in the fields below him to the right and in the middle distance. Across the river, a small crowd gathers to hear Jesus preaching. Brueghel left Antwerp in 1553 to study in Italy and on his return made drawings of the Alps, which influenced in detail and aerial perspective of the landscape in his painting.
Luca Carlevariis, The Piazzetta at Venice
Luca Carlevariis, born in 1663, was an Italian painter renowned for pioneering the veduta genre, specializing in detailed and atmospheric cityscape paintings. Despite lacking formal artistic training, Carlevariis excelled as a Venetian view painter. Scholars consider him the first artist to consciously emphasize the importance and grandeur of Venice, depicting it as a center of international activity. His career began in 1703 with the publication of The Buildings and Views of Venice, featuring 104 illustrations that are considered the most complete survey of the city ever produced. Though large pageant paintings were his most notable commissions, Carlevariis also created dynamic drawings and oil sketches of everyday Venetian life, capturing the city's vibrancy. His work remains influential, and is valued for its historical insight and artistic achievement in depicting Venetian landscapes and daily life.
Guercino, The Return of the Prodigal Son
The parable depicted by Il Guercino (a nickname meaning "squint-eyed") is the one most frequently represented in Western art for teaching repentance and forgiveness. Taken from Luke 15:11-32, the story tells of a younger son who squanders his share of the family's estate and returns home to beg his father's forgiveness.Guercino shows the moment when the impoverished son is welcomed with compassion by his father. He sends a servant to bring fine clothes for his penitent son and to kill a fatted calf for a feast. Guercino painted the subject on seven different occasions, beginning in 1619.Like other late works by the artist, this one is characterized by its clarity and simplicity.
François Boucher, Lovers in a Park
François Boucher, born in Paris in 1703, is renowned for his mastery of the Rococo style. Boucher's paintings are characterized by their charming themes, delicate brushwork, and vibrant colors. He often depicted mythological scenes and pastoral landscapes with a sense of elegance and sensuality. Boucher's artistic legacy extends outside of painting and includes his significant influence on the decorative arts and his role in shaping the visual culture of eighteenth-century France. Boucher became a member of the Royal Academy in 1734 and then became the principal producer of designs for the royal porcelain factories, as well as director of the Gobelins tapestry factory. As a favorite of King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, Boucher's work epitomized the frivolity and grace of Rococo, leaving an indelible mark on French art.
Jacques-Louis David, Portrait of Cooper Penrose
Jacques-Louis David, born in Paris in 1748, was a leading French Neoclassical painter renowned for his powerful compositions and moral themes. Influenced by classical antiquity and the ideals of the French Revolution, his works, such as The Death of Socrates and The Oath of the Horatii, depict historical and mythological subjects with dramatic intensity and clarity. Orphaned at nine after his father died in a duel, David received a classical education and studied under Joseph-Marie Vien. Despite initial struggles, he won the Prix de Rome in 1774, and embraced classicism during his time in Italy. David's paintings celebrated civic virtue and patriotism, making him a prominent figure during the Revolution. Later, he aligned with Emperor Napoleon, producing iconic works with a nationalist undertone.
John Singleton Copley, Mrs. Thomas Gage
John Singleton Copley, born in Boston in 1738, has rightfully earned his place in the pantheon of great American painters. Copley experimented with various media, including oil, miniatures, pastel, and printmaking, but by the late 1750s, he had established himself as a portrait painter in Boston's mercantile society. His works have become symbols for the blossoming merchant class and America’s "coming of age" as an independent nation. Copley worked in Boston until 1774, when due to the impending revolution he fled to London. While he would never return to his country of birth, Copley flourished in his new home. While in London, he expanded his repertoire to historical painting, was elected a member of the Royal Academy, and remained a key figure in the British Art scene until his death.
