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The Swing by Jean-Honore Fragonard.
Fragonard is considered the greatest artist of a short period known as Rococo. This 18th century style followed the Baroque period where it utilized all the ornament and fashion of the Baroque, but left out the drama.
Fountain by Marcel Duchamp.
In 1917 French Dadaist artist turned the art world on it's ear when he exhibited this piece signed by "R.Mutt." He said Mr. Mutt did not need to create the object, his mere choice of it and applying his signature could serve as its consideration as art. Thus began a movement known as Found Object.
The Concert, 1660 by Johannes Vermeer, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (stolen 1990).
The FBI has a website which lists stolen art and gives a description of the crime. More often than not, when notorious works like the ones taken from the Gardner Museum are stolen, they are "requests" from collectors who will never try to sell or publicly display the artwork in their possession.
In 2021 Netflix released a documentary about the art heist called This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist.
Drapery Study for Semiramis by Edgar Degas.
Sometimes the studies artist's do (and often never intend to publish) are the most beautiful.
Anne with a Japanese Parasol, 1917 by George Bellows.
Bellows did quite a few portraits of his family and friends. This is his oldest daughter. He was a member of the group known as The Eight and a teacher at the Art Students League.
Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly, c. 1950-64 by James Hampton, The Smithsonian.
James Hampton worked as a Janitor to earn a living all his life, on his off time he was compelled to create art to express his strong religious beliefs. He made this assemblage out of discarded furniture, flashbulbs, wrapped in gold and silver foil and purple tissue paper.
Napoleon I on his Imperial Throne, 1806 by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
Ingres' state portrait of Napoleon the I is one of the most commanding ever done. He was a young man and a student of Jacques-Louis David when he painted this work.
Pot, 20th Century, Maria Martinez, The Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos NM.
Maria Martinez came from a long line of potters and kept up the tradition in her own family. The Millicent Rogers Museum received a wonderful collection of this family’s work. Rogers was a great supporter of Native American artists during her lifetime and the museum is her former house which features her collections and special exhibitions.
Spring (Apple Blossoms) by John Everett Millais.
Millais is one of the founding members of the 19th century British artist group known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He achieved the most fame of the group and eventually came to lead the Royal Academy he had rebelled against.
Felt Suit by Josef Beuys.
Beuys’ work is difficult for many people to classify as "art." He believed in exalting everyday objects and in the healing powers of art. His felt suit represented one he wore to a protest of the war in Vietnam and to him it symbolized political change.
Oedipus and the Sphinx by Gustav Moreau, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Moreau captures the tension as the Sphinx asks Oedipus that simple riddle that eluded so many before him.
Presentation Quilt, 1847-50 by Mary Heidenroder Simon.
In earlier centuries quilts were to mark important events. People would save up material from just about any source and incorporate into their work, so often a favorite shirt or dress would have a second life.
Sparrows, Edo Period, by Kubo Shunman.
Woodblock print, Ukiyo-e. These prints were created to be affordable and to appeal to a broad audience.
Jewel Box, c. 1900 by Archibald Knox.
Knox used Celtic designs as influence for the line of precious metal products he designed for the famous Liberty & Co. department store in London. His line was introduced in 1903.
Blue Period, 1981 by William Wegman.
This work references Picasso's Blue period. Wegman has used his dogs as his models and muses.
William Wegman, Twisted Hope, 2001.
Garden Study of the Vickers Children by John Singer Sargent, Flint Institute of Arts.
This study is very similar in subject and lay-out to the finished painting entitled Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose which was painted the following year.
Woman with a Cat, 1921 by Fernand Léger, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ©1999 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris
Léger's early study of architecture can be seen in the lines and lay-out of his paintings. His artwork is a bridge between the two worlds.
The Chariot of Apollo, c.1912 by Odilon Redon.
The Chariot of Apollo has been painted a number of different times throughout history, but Redon's version is probably the most ethereal. He was a member of the Symbolist movement.
The Last of England by Ford Madox Brown, Tate Collection
Brown was a huge influence on the Pre-Raphaelites. He is often grouped together with them even though he was considerably older than them and had been working for years. He received his training in Belgium and Paris.