Artists began to develop their own styles and approaches.
c. 1800–1900 C.E.
Beginner's guide
American art in context —
a series by Dr. Kimberly Kutz Elliott
- The Mexican-American War: 19th-century American art in context
- John Brown’s “tragic prelude” to the U.S. Civil War
- Nast & Reconstruction, understanding a political cartoon
- Nativism and the Know-Nothing Party
- The World’s Columbian Exposition: Introduction
- The World’s Columbian Exposition: The White City and fairgrounds
- The World’s Columbian Exposition: The Midway
Styles and themes
Romanticism
Realism
Western art
Aestheticism and the Gilded Age
Photography
Sculpture, architecture, and design
All content | The United States in the 19th century
From Romanticism to the Gilded Age, American art ranged from bucolic landscapes to elegant city parks.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
