🎨 Beggar, 1859
by Georg Waldmüller 🇦🇹
oil on panel, 34.5 x 29.3 cm
Moravian Gallery in Brno, Czech Republic

About the artwork:

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, one of the most important Austrian painters of the 19th century, was known for his detailed and realistic portrayal of everyday scenes and subjects. In "Beggar," Waldmüller depicts a scene that reflects his interest in the lives of ordinary people, especially those on the margins of society.

The painting portrays a beggar, a subject that allows Waldmüller to explore themes of poverty and social reality in the mid-19th century. The beggar is depicted with a sense of dignity and humanity, a characteristic approach of Waldmüller, who sought to portray his subjects with empathy and realism.

🎨 Ruin by the Sea, 1881
by Arnold Böcklin 🇨🇭
oil on fabric, 111 x 82 cm
Cleveland Museum of Art, USA

About the artwork:

Arnold Böcklin, known for his symbolist and romantic style, often explored themes of mythology, fantasy, and the natural world. "Ruin by the Sea" is a quintessential Böcklin work, showcasing his fascination with the mysterious and the sublime.

The painting depicts a coastal scene with a ruin, likely an ancient temple or structure, near the sea. This setting is typical of Böcklin's interest in combining elements of nature with architectural remnants from the past. The sea and sky are rendered with dramatic effect, conveying a sense of the powerful and often unforgiving forces of nature.

Böcklin's use of color in "Ruin by the Sea" is notable. The contrast between the dark tones of the ruin and the luminous, almost ethereal quality of the sea and sky creates a striking visual effect. This use of light and shadow adds a mystical quality to the scene, enhancing the painting's dreamlike and romantic atmosphere.

🎨 The blanket seller, c.1891
by Silvestro Lega 🇮🇹
oil on canvas, 143 × 95 cm
Private Collection

About the artwork:

Silvestro Lega was a key member of the Macchiaioli group, a movement that preceded the Impressionists in Italy and focused on capturing scenes of everyday life using patches of color ("macchie" in Italian). "The Blanket Seller" is a prime example of this style, showcasing Lega's ability to depict ordinary subjects with a sense of realism and immediacy.

This painting portrays a vendor, presumably selling blankets, a subject that reflects the Macchiaioli interest in the lives of common people. The composition captures the seller in a natural setting, possibly in a market or a public space, interacting with potential buyers. Lega's use of color and light is noteworthy; he employs a palette that conveys the textures and materiality of the blankets and the ambient outdoor light.

🎨 Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin, 1884
by Ilya Repin 🇷🇺
oil on canvas, 88.9 x 69.2 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA

About the artwork:

This portrait features Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin, a Russian writer known for his short stories, who was a contemporary and friend of Repin. Garshin's life was marked by psychological struggles, and Repin captures the intensity of his character and the depth of his emotions in this portrait.

Repin, a leading figure in Russian realist painting, is celebrated for his ability to portray the psychological complexity of his subjects. In "Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin," he demonstrates this skill masterfully. The painting is characterized by its vivid realism, expressive brushwork, and the compelling gaze of Garshin, which seems to convey a sense of inner turmoil and intensity.

The choice of colors, predominantly in the range of reds and earth tones, complements the emotional depth of the subject. The attention to detail in Garshin's features, especially his eyes, gives the portrait a haunting quality.

🎨 The Victory of Buddha, 1914
by Abanindranath Tagore 🇮🇳
watercolour on paper, 14 x 10cm
Lahore Museum, Pakistan

About the artwork:

Abanindranath Tagore, a nephew of the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, played a crucial role in the Bengal School of Art, which sought to revive and modernize traditional Indian artistic styles as a response to the Western influence of the time. "The Victory of Buddha" is an embodiment of this movement.

The painting depicts a significant moment in the life of Buddha, showcasing the spiritual leader in a moment of enlightenment or victory. Tagore's style in this artwork is reflective of traditional Indian miniature paintings, characterized by intricate detailing, delicate brushwork, and a unique use of color.

Tagore's use of watercolors in "The Victory of Buddha" is notable for its subtlety and depth. The colors are blended seamlessly, creating a sense of harmony and tranquility that aligns with the spiritual theme of the painting. The composition, though small in size, is rich in symbolism and meaning, encapsulating the essence of Buddha's teachings and victory.

🎨 At the Café, c. 1897 – 1899
by Edouard Vuillard 🇫🇷
oil on board, 28.8 x 27.5 cm
Cleveland Museum of Art, USA

About the artwork:

Vuillard, a member of the Nabis group, was known for his intimate, interior scenes that often featured the people in his life in their everyday environments. "At the Café" is a quintessential Vuillard piece, showcasing his distinct style that blends elements of Post-Impressionism and Symbolism.

The painting presents a scene inside a café, a common social setting in late 19th-century Paris. Vuillard's use of muted, harmonious colors and his focus on patterns and textures are evident in this work. The composition captures the café atmosphere, with figures that appear absorbed in their own world, either in conversation or in solitary contemplation.

🎨 Ricordo di Tivoli, c. 1866 - 1867
by Anselm Feuerbach 🇩🇪
oil on canvas, 131 x 194 cm
Alte Nationalgalerie, Germany

About the artwork:

The painting captures a scene from Tivoli, a town near Rome, Italy, known for its stunning landscapes and ancient ruins. Feuerbach, like many artists of his time, was drawn to Italy for its rich history, culture, and picturesque settings. "Ricordo di Tivoli" translates to "Memory of Tivoli," suggesting that the painting is a reflection of Feuerbach's experiences and impressions of the Italian landscape.

The artwork features a panoramic view of the Tivoli landscape, imbued with a sense of tranquility and natural beauty. The use of light and shadow, along with the detailed rendering of the trees, foliage, and architectural elements, demonstrates Feuerbach's skill in capturing the essence of the Italian countryside. The painting's composition and the way it conveys the serene atmosphere of Tivoli are particularly noteworthy.

🎨 A juggler, 1870
by Alma Tadema 🇳🇱
oil on panel, 77.8 x 48.4 cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia

About the artwork:

The painting depicts a scene from ancient Rome, consistent with Alma-Tadema's fascination with the classical world. It showcases a young juggler performing, surrounded by an audience that reflects the social and cultural milieu of the era. The attention to detail in the clothing, architecture, and expressions of the figures is meticulous, highlighting Alma-Tadema's dedication to realism and historical accuracy.

Alma-Tadema's inspiration for this piece, like many of his works, stemmed from his deep interest in Roman history and culture. His aim was to bring the ancient world to life, making it accessible and relatable to the contemporary viewer. He was known for his extensive research and use of authentic props and settings to ensure the historical accuracy of his scenes.

🎨 Flora, scattering flowers, 1875
by Arnold Böcklin 🇨🇭
oil on panel, 82.5 cm x 51.5 cm
Museum Folkwang, Germany

About the artwork:

Böcklin's work is known for its imaginative interpretations of classical and mythological themes, often set in landscapes that include elements of classical architecture. His paintings frequently explore allegorical and mythological subjects, blending them with a sense of fantasy and an exploration of themes like death and mortality. "Flora, Scattering Flowers" is an embodiment of this approach, depicting a mythological scene in a natural setting.

🎨 Orpheus, 1865
by Gustave Moreau 🇫🇷
oil on panel, 154 cm x 99.5 cm
Musée d'Orsay, France

About the artwork:

In this depiction, Moreau portrays the aftermath of Orpheus's death, where his severed head and lyre are found by a young girl. The painting is filled with symbolic and enigmatic elements, combining classical and Oriental styles in the girl's attire. The young girl is shown holding Orpheus's head on a lyre, gazing at it with a mix of pity and unconscious amorous longing. The background landscape adds to the painting's mysterious and unreal beauty, reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's influence.