History painting was an important genre in 18th and 19th-century European art. The term is used all the time, but doesn't simply refer to paintings of history. Learn about the characteristics of a history paint and why all the most ambitious artists wanted to pursue it.
Category: Art Guides
A Guide to Romanticism
What is Romanticism in art? Learn about the different themes and stylistic attributes of Romantic painting, sculpture, and architecture. Find out how it's different from Neo-Classicism, the style that preceded it.
A Guide to Pre-Raphaelite Painting
Learn about Pre-Raphaelite painting. Who were the major artists, what were their ideas, and how can you identify the works? How did the Pre-Raphaelites relate to the industrial revolution and movements like Arts & Crafts?
A Guide to Romanesque Architecture
How to recognize, understand, and appreciate Romanesque architecture. What are its main forms? How is it different than Gothic?
A Guide to Classical Roman Architecture
Understand the major ideas and components of classical Roman architecture. What was its context, and what later monuments did it influence?
A Guide to Classical Greek Architecture
Ancient or classical Greek architecture formed the basis for so much of Euro-American architecture. Learn about its main forms and ideas.
A Guide to Renaissance Architecture
A guide to recognizing and appreciating Renaissance architecture. Includes background, key ideas, important architects, and examples.
A Guide to Fauvism
Understand Fauvism, the early-20th century painting style. Learn about its key artists and works, underlying ideas, historical background, and how to recognize it. Plus, what does the name mean?
A Guide to Cubism
How to recognize and understand Cubism. Learn about the key artists, underlying ideas, and background.
A Guide to Post-Impressionist Painting
The Post-Impressionist movement started in Paris around 1880. Post-Impressionism can be seen in painting and other two-dimensional art forms like drawings and prints. Artists such as Cezanne, van Gogh, Matisse, and Gauguin were its stars.
A Scholarly Skater 