Classroom Internet Library

18th Century Art

Norton Simon Museum of Art: 17-18th Century Art
You'll find works by artists like Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Claude Lorrain, Clodion, Aelbert Cuyp, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Jan van der Heyden, Nicolas Poussin, Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Steen, Marie-Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, and Jean-Antoine Watteau at this site. Sections of each object can be enlarged up to four times and each item is accompanied by a detailed description.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Russian Painting of the 18th-Century
Explore Russian painting and artist of the 18th-century at this site from Rollins College and Dr. Alexander Boguslawski. You will find background information on the period, images of works and profiles of key artists.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

American Portraits of the Late 1700s and Early 1800s
Learn about some of the pioneers of American painting at this site from the National Gallery of Art. You'll find works by Charles Willson Peale, Mather Brown, John Trumbull, and Benjamin West along with artist profiles.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

British Conversation Pieces and Portraits of the 1700s
In 18th century Great Britain, informal group portraits were called conversation pieces. They usually showed groups engaged in every-day activities. At this site from the National Gallery of Art you'll find works by Arthur Devis, George Stubbs, Joseph Wright, and Johann Zoffany as well as artist profiles.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

British and American History Paintings of the 1700s
Considered the highest form of art in the 18th-century, historical paintings illustrated grand scenes mythology, religion, and literature. This site from the National Gallery of Art features works by Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, William Hogarth, Richard Wilson, and Joseph Wright along with profiles of the artists.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

British and American Grand Manner Portraits of the 1700s
18th-century grand manner portraiture used visual metaphor to define the character of the subject. At this site from the National Gallery of Art you'll find works by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, John Singleton Copley, John Hoppner, Sir Thomas Lawrence, George Romney, and Gilbert Stuart along with profiles of the artists.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No