Courbet, Gustave (1819-1877) La diligence dans la neige (The Diligence in the Snow) 1860 Oil on canvas, 137.2 × 199.1 cm National Gallery, London The high viewpoint in this painting opens up the prospect of the vast distance, heightening its very…
Corot, Jean-Baptiste-Camille (1796-1875) Le chêne de la vallée (The Oak in the Valley) 1871 Oil on canvas, 39.8 × 52.8 cm National Gallery, London This view was one of several pictures that Corot painted in May 1871 while he was staying…
Constable, John (1776-1837) The Cornfield 1826 Oil on canvas, 143 × 122 cm National Gallery, London A boy has paused from the thirsty work of herding sheep at noon to lie flat on the bank of a pool and drink its…
Brueghel, Jan the Elder (1568-1625) The Adoration of the Kings 1598 Bodycolour on vellum, 32.9 × 48 cm National Gallery, London Jan Brueghel seems to have squeezed a whole world into his tiny picture. A crowd waits patiently for a turn…
Bruegel, Pieter the Elder (c.1525-1569) The Adoration of the Kings 1564 Oil on oak, 112.1 × 83.9 cm National Gallery, London The Virgin sits in front of a dilapidated stable with the naked Christ Child on her knee. Three men offer…
Bonheur, Rosa (1822-1899) La foire aux chevaux (The Horse Fair) 1855 Oil on canvas, 120 × 254.6 cm National Gallery, London This is a painting of sheer animal power. Brilliant white light builds up the turbulence and excitement of the scene.…
Picasso, Pablo (1881-1973) Femme en chemise assise (Seated Woman in a Chemise) 1923 Oil on canvas, 92.1 × 73 cm Tate Britain, London Ballet dancer Olga Khokhlova (1891–1955), Picasso’s wife, was the model for this and several other works from the period.…
Picasso, Pablo (1881-1973) Femme nue dans un fauteuil rouge (Nude Woman in a Red Armchair) July 27, 1932 Oil on canvas, 129.9 × 97.2 cm Tate Britain, London This sensual portrait of Picasso’s lover Marie-Thérèse Walter was painted at the artist’s Normandy…
Chagall, Marc (1887-1985) Le Cirque bleu (The Blue Circus) 1950 Oil on canvas, 34.9 × 26.7 cm Tate Britain, London Chagall drew inspiration from the theme of the circus throughout his life. As a child in Russia, he had been fascinated…