Category: Artist of the Day

Willem van de Velde II was born on December 18, 1633 in Leiden, Holland.  The Dutch painter was especially known for his scenes of sailing ships. Van de Velde was taught by his father, who was himself a marine artist.  The younger’s works mostly portray … Continue readingBattle of Texel by Willem van de Velde II

Karl Bryullov was born on December 12, 1799 in St. Petersburg, Russia.  He was one of the leading artists in the transition of styles between neoclassicism and romanticism in his country.  Though known by his ties to Russia, he was drawn to Italy and studied … Continue readingGirl, Gathering Grapes in the Vicinity of Naples by Karl Bryullov

Adriaen van Ostade was born on December 10, 1610 in Haarlem.  He was a Dutch painter of the Golden Age.  His work reflected the lives of the poorest people, livening the scenes they created in taverns and around the village.  He made a point of … Continue readingThe Painter in His Workshop by Adriaen van Ostade

Gilbert Stuart is best known for his painting–paintings in the plural, rather–of George Washington.  He was a renowned portrait artist and when he painted a likeness of Washington, it was so widely desired that further copies were requested.  Over the years he painted more than 130 … Continue readingThe Athenaeum Portrait by Gilbert Stuart

Georges Seurat was born on December 2, 1859 in Paris.  He was a post-impressionist painter and is best known for having developed the pointillist technique, which he did by working together with Paul Signac. Perhaps his most famous work is A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, which … Continue readingA Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

William-Adolphe Bouguereau was born on November 30, 1825 in La Rochelle, France.  He was an academic painter who painted traditionally, creating realistic works but often weaving mythological and Christian themes into his pieces.  He was careful to use props to convey subtle but symbolic messages. … Continue readingInnocence by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

William Sidney Mount was an American painter born on November 26, 1807 in New York.  He painted scenes of everyday life, and his work focused largely on lively interactions between people.  He was also a composer and player of the fiddle.  Much of his visual … Continue readingThe Trap Sprung by William Sidney Mount

Eustache Le Sueur was born on November 19, 1617 in Paris.  He is famous for helping to found the French Academy of Painting, and he is also known for his own religious artwork. Eustache Le Sueur’s father was himself an artist and was able to … Continue readingThe Annunciation by Eustache Le Sueur

Francis Danby was best known for his dramatic landscapes.  He belonged to what is now known as the Bristol School, an informal group of artists who would come together in the evening to sketch and visit places which could feed their imaginations and enrich their … Continue readingAn Enchanted Island by Francis Danby

Even if you don’t know about any artists, you’ve probably heard of Claude Monet.  He is considered to be the founder of Impressionist painting in France; in fact, the technique’s name itself came from Monet’s painting, Impression, Sunrise: Monet loved to paint the French countryside, and … Continue readingWater Lilies by Claude Monet