Science, industry and the growth of cities transformed art forever.
1800–1900
Beginner's guide
The 19th century saw wide-scale industrialization and urbanization in Europe.
- Becoming modern, an introduction
- A beginner's guide to realism
- Haussmann the Demolisher and the creation of modern Paris
- Impressionism, an introduction
- How the impressionists got their name
- Japonisme
- How Japan inspired Monet, Van Gogh and other Western artists
- A beginner’s guide to the Pre-Raphaelites
- The Aesthetic Movement
- Art Nouveau
videos + essays
A-level: Art Nouveau
In the modern period artists recognized that the well-being of society and all its members were supported and enhanced by well-designed objects, buildings, and spaces.
A-level: Japonisme
The distinctive qualities of Japanese art offered striking new approaches to modern artists developing alternatives to the Western tradition of naturalistic representation.
A-Level: Sample set of works for the British and French Avante-Garde
In the latter half of the 19th century, Gauguin painted, Rodin sculpted, and Garnier designed the Paris Opera.
A-Level: Auguste Rodin, The Burghers of Calais
When Rodin received the commission for this monument in Calais, he was expected to produce one figure—not six.
A-Level: Auguste Rodin, The Gates of Hell
This aborted commission was meant for a museum that was to be on the site of the Musée d’Orsay—where it now stands.
A-Level: Auguste Rodin, The Walking Man
Does a statue need to include arms or a head to be considered complete? Rodin clearly doesn’t think so.
A-Level: Edgar Degas, At the Races in the Countryside
Degas is off to the races, where class issues are in the foreground.
A-Level: Edgar Degas, Visit to a Museum
Mary Cassatt, an artist and close friend Degas, is the subject of this painting about the act of seeing.
A-Level: Edgar Degas, The Dance Class
The elegance of the performance has been stripped away for an intimate look at off-duty ballerinas.
A-Level: Edgar Degas, The Bellelli Family
This domestic scene portrays Degas’ family with all the warmth and intimacy of a walk-in freezer.
A-Level: Gauguin, Self-Portrait with Portrait of Émile Bernard (Les misérables)
These self-portraits were swapped like friendship bracelets among Gauguin, Bernard, and their buddy Van Gogh.
A-Level: Paul Gauguin, Nevermore
Gauguin’s nude is suspended between dreams and reality— just like his imperialistic vision of Tahiti.
