Painted in the glory days of 1833, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey exemplifies the qualities of historical painting. It’s dramatic, technically exquisite, and a bit wrong on the factual details. These elements made history paintings popular in the 19th century and then passé soon after. I have a penchant for these artworks. History paintings …
Why did Jules Bastien-Lepage paint Joan of Arc in 1879?
– 400 years later – Joan of Arc became a hero
– The 100 years war parallels the Franco-Prussian war
– A saint in the backyard … surrounded by angel messengers
Why does the mural Ancient Mexico: Conquest to 1930 by Diego Rivera matter?
– Invaders, Animals, & a Sun God
– A Marxist makes his mark on Mexico
– Technique trumps complexity
Learn truths behind the false spectacle of West’s painting The Death of General Wolfe such as:
The General’s bloodless blouse after a three musket ball death.
Soldiers paid to be in this history painting.
And the surprising answer to Frequently Asked Question, “Why did Benjamin West paint The Death of General Wolfe?”
Find out fun facts about the painting Watson and the Shark for instance:
• That funky looking shark?
• General Watson’s lasting real life trauma.
• The Reason behind the painting Watson and the Shark.