John Martin (1789-1854) was an English historical landscape painter. John Martin Summary: His landscapes commonly depicted apocalyptic scenes from the Bible. He was influenced by the scenes of artists like J.M.W Turner and Theodore Gericault. He also dabbled in engraving and gained a huge fortune from reproducing his works. He was called the “most popular …
Thomas Le Clear (1818-1882) was an American genre and portrait painter in the 19th century. Thomas Le Clear Summary: Le Clear was self-taught in painting but received a little training when he came to New York City. He privately taught students painting in his home in Buffalo, New York. He is also known for his …
Jean Baptiste Perronneau (ca. 1716-1783) was one of France’s most prominent pastel portraitists in the 18th century. Jean Baptiste Perronneau Summary: He started out as an engraver but shifted to portraiture. He became a member of the Royal Academy in 1753. His works were popular and exhibited widely. His rival, Maurice Quentin de la tour, …
Eastman Johnson (1824-1906) was an American genre painter. Eastman Johnson Summary: He was the youngest of eight children. He was influenced by the 17th-century Flemish and Dutch masters. Johnson co-founded the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which bears his name on the entrance. He painted portraits of everyday people and important figures like …
Pietro Perugino (ca. 1446-1523) was a painter of the Italian Renaissance and a member of the Umbrian School. Pietro Perugino Summary: He was born Pietro Vannucci and attributed Perugino to the city he came from. He trained under Andrea del Verrocchio alongside other soon-to-be successful artists such as Leonardo da Vinci. Perugino was commissioned to …
Raphael (1483-1520) was an artist, architect, and leading figure of the Italian High Renaissance. Raphael Summary: His father was also an artist and painted for the court of Urbino. He trained under Pietro Perugino and was dubbed a ‘fully trained master’ at the age of 17. Raphael lived a nomadic lifestyle before being invited to …
Egon Schiele (1890-1918) was an Austrian artist who was part of the Expressionism movement. Egon Schiele Summary: He had a love for trains because his father was a station master. Schiele dropped out of art school after altercations with the school’s conservative style. His mentor was Gustav Klimt. While stationed in Prague during World War …
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was a Belarusian artist known for his poetic and figurative works. Marc Chagall Summary: He trained under Léon Bakst, a stage designer. Chagall dabbled in other mediums like stained glass and illustration. His range of influences widened after living in Paris where his art matured. Chagall was Jewish, but turned to Christian …
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) was an artist of the 20th century German Expressionism movement. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Summary: He was a founding member of the artist group Die Brücke, or “The Bridge,” which was essential in the development of Expressionism in twentieth-century art. He was influenced by German Gothic artists, especially Albrecht Dürer. A range …
Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) was a Russian artist, art theorist, and front runner of Western abstract art. Wassily Kandinsky Summary: He, along with other artists, founded the Blue Rider, an organization that championed the development of abstract art. He knew how to play the piano and cello. He was a successful academician before becoming a painter. …
Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958) was a French Fauvist painter. Maurice de Vlaminck Summary: He was self-taught and publicly shunned academic training. Vlaminck was inspired by Van Gogh’s use of intense color. He was one of the artists who participated in the controversial group show at the Salon d’Automne in 1905. He moved to the countryside …
Georges Braque (1882-1963) was a French artist whose work played a pivotal role in the development of Cubism. Georges Braque Summary: His father and grandfather were also artists and owned a house-painting firm. After serving in the military, he decided he wanted to pursue art full-time. Most of his paintings are still lifes. His early …
Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) was an Italian artist who is best known for his portraits and nudes. Amedeo Modigliani Summary: He was good friends with fellow artists Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brâncuși. Besides his paintings, he was also a talented sculptor. He was a fan of poetry and was influenced by the writings of Nietzsche and …
Gustave Moreau (1826-1898) was a Symbolist painter from France who specialized in mythical and religious themes. Gustave Moreau Summary: The greatest influence on Moreau was his master, Théodore Chassériau. He experimented greatly and even create nonfigurative paintings. He became popular and influential at l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts. His works total about 8,000 paintings and are housed …
Maurice Denis (1870-1943) was a French artist and key figure in the Symbolist movement. Maurice Denis Summary: Denis was a theorist and his theories influenced modern art movements like cubism, fauvism, and abstract art. He founded Ateliers d’Art Sacré after World War I and advocated for the resurgence of religious art. He opposed the style …
Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was a Norwegian artist best known for his iconic painting, The Scream. Edvard Munch Summary: His works often depict psychological themes that paved the way for Symbolism and German Expressionism. He did not receive any formal training or education in art. His painting style developed after a trip to Paris and brief …
Frederick Sandys (1829-1904) was an artist born in Norwich, England, and was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Frederick Sandys Summary: Born Anthony Frederick Augustus Sands, he changed his last name to Sandys in 1855. He trained under his father, Anthony Sandys, who was also an artist. He won several medals while he was a student …
Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) was an English artist and poet. Dante Gabriel Rossetti Summary: He is a member of the noble Rossetti family. Besides painting and illustration, Rosetti was a gifted poet and was directly influenced by romantic and gothic literature. He selected his middle name, Dante, to highlight his connection to the medieval Italian …
John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) was a painter known for his large-scale works in the Academic style. John William Waterhouse Summary: Both of his parents were painters and supported his decision to pursue art. Most of his paintings are based on the works of authors like Homer, Shakespeare, Tennyson, and Keats. It is speculated that as …
James Tissot (1836-1902) was a French artist known for his depictions of late Victorian society. James Tissot Summary: He was born James-Joseph-Jacques Tissot in Nantes, France to a family of devout Catholics. Although he is known for his lavish portraits and scenes of women, he also painted scenes from the Bible. He moved to Paris …
