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Thinker from the Gates of Hell, c.1880-1890 by Auguste Rodin.
It began as part of the monumental bronze doors that Rodin created called the Gates of Hell and although it is about 14 inches high in that context, his Thinker has taken on a life of it's own as one of the most famous statues ever created.
The Paddock at Ascot by Raoul Dufy.
What a beautiful view. The Paddock is the area of the racecourse incorporating the pre-parade ring, parade ring and winner's enclosure. Notice all the top hats and fancy clothes, that tradition lives on.
Paris Street, Rainy Day, 1877 by Gustave Caillebotte.
An all time favorite of mine and a lot of visitors to the Art Institute of Chicago. I think it is probably the familiarity of the scene even if it is almost 150 years before today, a rainy street is a rainy street.
The Reception of Christopher Columbus by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella, c.1830-1850 by Eugene Deveria.
Romantic painter on a grand scale of historical paintings. Considered a Romantic painter because of the scale, subjects, and emotion.
The Gleaners by Jean-Francois Millet.
The Gleaners are picking up the last little remains of the harvest. Millet sets the women against a broad horizon and thereby lends a majesty to their work. This was on purpose as Millet saw the work as a social commentary against the rich vs. the poor in society.
La Naissance de Vénus (Birth of Venus)1879 by William-Adolph Bouguereau.
Very similar in composition to Botticelli's work. Bouguereau had a very successful career. His realistic style appealed to a large number of people. A contemporary of Degas and Monet; they even conceded his extreme popularity.
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The Chariot of Aurora (detail), 1935 by Jean Dunand.
This large panel was part of a design for the ocean liner Normandie one of the grandest and most famous ships ever built.
Dressed Ballet Dancer, 1880/1881 by Edgar Degas, National Gallery, Washington.
Degas spent a great deal of time observing the world of the ballet. This statue represents the young girls in training, known as the "rats."
Necklace, Rene Jules Lalique, c.1900, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Lalique whose name is better known for his glass than his jewelry, created some amazing art nouveau jewelry, as he was trained as a jeweler. His jewelry often incorporated enamel which led him to begin to work in glass.
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Le Violon d'Ingres, 1924 by Man Ray, © Man Ray Trust
Man Ray took a classical nude photograph in the style of the painter Ingres and altered it by drawing on the "f" or fret holes found on violins.
The Dinner Table (Harmony in Red) by Henri Matisse.
Matisse is part of the art movement known as the Fauvists. Color is the central focus of the short-lived movement but they also concentrated on movement and primitive form. Matisse continued to use strong color throughout his career while exploring different mediums.
Oath of the Horatii, 1785 by Jacques-Louis David.
By painting an ancient historical subject, David was hoping to encourage people to look back at the ancient world and model their actions on that society which had been held-up by many at this time as an example to be emulated. This work helped launch the Neoclassical movement.
Time Tranfixed, 1938 by René Magritte.
The world of dreams that came out of Surrealist paintings is presented by Magritte in a straightforward and clear manner. This allows the viewer to concentrate on the image and what it means rather than looking at the image and spending time figuring out what it is, what it is is immediately evident - so that leaves, what does it mean.
Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David.
David ushered in a return to classical ideals and away from the Rococo with this homage to the death of his friend. Marat was an outspoken leader of the French Revolution and was murdered in his bath after receiving a letter of admission into his home for the murderer. David's stark scene conveys the shock and sadness he felt after learning Maret had been killed.
Princesse Albert de Broglie, née Joséphine-Eléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn, 1853 by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
Ingres portraits are some of the most amazing studies of people and how we adorn ourselves. His skill at rendering the faces and capturing his sitters makes him among the finest portraitists ever.
The Floor Scrapers, 1875 by Gustave Caillebotte.
Caillebotte liked to portray everyday scenes like these workers removing wax from floors. He liked to portray everyday people going about their business in a realistic way.
Psyche et l'amour, 1817 by Baron Francois Gerard, Louvre, Paris.
A popular subject throughout the 19th century, Gerard version of the story of Cupid and Psyche almost portrays the figures as secondary to the outdoor temple and landscape setting. The vibrancy of the bright colors also serve to draw our attention from the couple.
Two Sisters (On the Terrace), 1881 by Pierre Auguste Renoir, The Art Institute of Chicago.
Renoir began his career painting on porcelain and the pretty subjects he chose lend themselves well to that type of work. This painting is of the young woman who would become Mme. Renoir and her younger sister. She was a frequent model of his.
The Bather of Valpincon by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.
Ingres' skill at portraying drapery and textiles was the best of the 19th Century French Classical artists. He was inspired by the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael whose clear straightforward yet lush style made his influence third after the Renaissance giants Michelangelo and Leonardo.
A Bar at the Folies Bergere, 1881-82 by Edouard Manet.
Manet's last major painting. At first glance you see the bored looking barmaid staring off into the distance. Upon closer inspection we can see all the activity of the bar going on in the mirror. Including a patron whose presence is not doing anything to improve her mood - perhaps he caused the mood? Those tangerines just jump out at you, don't they?