A-Level: Nature—The elements in 2D or 3D works

videos + essays

Théodore Géricault, <em>Raft of the Medusa</em>
Théodore Géricault, Raft of the Medusa

Géricault’s massive canvas takes its format from history painting, but its subject is ripped from the headlines.

Whistler, <em>Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket</em>
Whistler, Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket

A critic accused Whistler of “flinging paint at the public” when he saw this painting, so Whistler sued him.

Giorgione, <em>The Tempest</em>
Giorgione, The Tempest

In the distance, lightning strikes. What does it mean? Poetic and evocative, this painting invites interpretation.

<em>Monolith of Tlaltecuhtli (Earth Lord)</em>
Monolith of Tlaltecuhtli (Earth Lord)

Capable of being male or female, the Earth Lord Tlaltecuhtli is shown here as a woman who has given birth.

Walter De Maria, <em>The Lightning Field</em>
Walter De Maria, The Lightning Field

400 stainless steel poles in the high desert of New Mexico are the object, but the subject is the sublime.

Winslow Homer, <em>Northeaster</em>
Winslow Homer, Northeaster

The artist eliminated a key element of this innovative painting five years after he finished it.

Jacques-Louis David, <em>Napoleon Crossing the Alps</em>
Jacques-Louis David, Napoleon Crossing the Alps

Was this the beginning of the end for David—or a new dawn? As far as portraits of Napoleon go, there’s none better.

The Tiepolo Family
The Tiepolo Family

Best known for their allegorical ceiling frescoes, this father-son team also produced cinematic prints.

Exekias, <em>Dionysos Kylix</em>
Exekias, Dionysos Kylix

This cup depicts the god of wine Dionysos escaping pirates by hiding and turning them into dolphins.

Andrea Pozzo, <em>Glorification of Saint Ignatius</em>
Andrea Pozzo, Glorification of Saint Ignatius

Pozzo’s fresco reaffirms the authority of the Catholic Church and hails its expansion across four continents.

Correggio, <em>Jupiter and Io</em>
Correggio, Jupiter and Io

With her open mouth, tilted head, and soft flesh, Io exudes sensuality, giving herself up willingly to Jupiter.

Fitz Henry Lane, <em>Owl’s Head, Penobscot Bay, Maine</em>
Fitz Henry Lane, Owl’s Head, Penobscot Bay, Maine

“Luminism” sounds like a subject at Hogwarts, but it actually describes landscape paintings like this one.