Author: Maria Lang

Henry Ossawa Tanner was born on June 21, 1859 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He was the first African-American artist to be recognized worldwide.  He studied in Paris for a time, but eventually he came back to the United States and went to school at the Pennsylvania … Continue readingThe Banjo Lesson by Henry Ossawa Tanner

Cornelius Krieghoff was born on June 19, 1815 in Amsterdam.  He is best known for his paintings which depict outdoor Canadian life, especially vibrant activities in the snow with captivating winter landscapes. Below are shown The Toll Gate;  Winter Landscape, Laval;   The Habitant Farm; and The River … Continue readingThe Blacksmith’s Shop by Cornelius Krieghoff

Nicolas Poussin was born on June 15, 1594 in France.  He was an influential painter in the French Baroque style and many other artists followed in his footsteps in terms of style.  Artists he inspired include Jacques-Louis David, Paul Cezanne, and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.  Unlike many … Continue readingBlind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun by Nicolas Poussin

John Trumbull was born on June 6, 1756 in Connecticut.  He was an artist during the American Revolutionary War, and his work reflects the history of the time.  He is known as The Painter of the Revolution. Trumbull was a soldier in the war, and … Continue readingDeclaration of Independence by John Trumbull

Mary Cassatt was born on May 22, 1844 in Pennsylvania.  She was an impressionist painter and printmaker.  Her work had a focus on the lives of women and their relationships with children. Though raised in Pennsylvania, Cassatt traveled to Europe for an education.  She studied … Continue readingThe Tea by Mary Cassatt

Albrecht Durer was born on May 21, 1471 in Nuremburg.  He was one of about eighteen children, and so, as could be expected, the family was in a bit of a financial crunch.  But Albrecht and his brother, Albert, both dreamed of becoming artists; and … Continue readingThe Praying Hands by Albrecht Durer

Jacob Jordaens was born on May 19, 1593 in Antwerp.  He was best known for his historical paintings.  He was among the most renowned Flemish Baroque painters of his era, only after Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck.  He stayed in his country for his … Continue readingAs the Old Sing, So the Young Pipe by Jacob Jordaens

I don’t know if you made it all the way through that title.  I had to include the whole thing, because my mom used to read Howard Pyle‘s King Arthur books to my siblings and me, but the whole plot was always revealed in the … Continue readingHow Sir Galahad, Sir Bors and Sir Percival Were Fed with the Sanct Grael; but Sir Percival’s Sister Died by the Way by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Theodor Kittelson was born on April 27, 1857.  He is one of Norway’s most beloved artists, and he was skilled as a painter and an illustrator.  He loved to illustrate fairy tales, and he was particularly inspired when he could be surrounded by nature. His … Continue readingUp in the Hills a Clarion Call Rings Out by Theodor Kittelson