Paris: A Rainy Day by Caillebotte

A depiction of the city's great modernization, Paris: A Rainy Day by Caillebotte was created in 1877 during the Impressionism Art Era. It almost looks like a photograph, because of the human gestures and attention to detail. There are a great amount of pedestrians walking around; Caillebotte depicted this extremely realistically. This painting struck out to me immediately because of the triangular shape building in the background. I visited London last year, and noticed that there were many of the buildings were shaped triangularly, especially around metropolitan areas such as Westminster Abbey. It was quite the sight! The painting has the same feeling to it as I had when I visited London as can be seen through the cobbled roads, multitude of working people, the dreary weather, and architecture. 

Claude Monet in His Studio Boat, by Edouard Manet

Manet created Claude Monet in His Studio Boat in 1874, during the Impressionism Art Era. Manet used oil on canvas to create this fascinating painting. Interestingly, Manet was influenced by the younger generation, including Monet. During this time, artists would usually just paint in their studios. However, Monet defied the norm and went outside and painted in his boat. They are able to accurately depict nature, it is transient. Manet captured the abstract patterns of the water (as can subsequently see the colors), and a scene of Monet painting the landscape. This is the first time we are seeing an artist painting the landscape, while being outside (on a boat at that), so this painting is extremely interesting. 

Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California by Albert Bierstadt

Out of all the paintings we have studied this semester, Bierstadt's Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California has been one of my favorites. Created in 1868 during the Romantic Era, this painting depicts the awe-inspiring view of the American West. It is a large painting: around 6 feet by 10 feet. Personally, I am a huge fan of landscape photography, so this painting is of special interest to me. The use of detail, the sunlight hitting the water, and the nature backdrop is mesmerizing. In fact, the painting looks so realistic, that some may mistake it as a photograph. Around this time, landscape painting started to become very popular during the Romanticism era in America. 

The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli

Henry Fuseli created The Nightmare in 1781, using oil paint on canvas. The painting itself is not very large: it is about 4 feet by 4 feet. During this period in Art History, Romanticism started to become very popular. Romanticism focused on freedom, and the ability to be free in all aspects of life, including places of worship and individual thought. It is easily to note that this painting marks the beginning of Romanticism, as the artist fully expresses his thoughts. Fuseli was actually famous for his dark themes, and he was very intrigued by the night (and many time the nightmares that accompany it). The story line is very interesting; it depicts a sleeping woman, with a demon who notoriously preys on women during the night. I really found the dark theme and use of eerie colors very interesting. The viewer can clearly see (and almost feel) the demon's ominous presence, as well as the delicate lady sleeping away.