Materials:
* Paints: Artists primarily used oil paints, which were applied to canvas, wood panels, or paper. They relied on a limited range of pigments, often made from natural sources like minerals, plants, and insects.
* Brushes: Brushes were typically made from animal hair, with varying sizes and shapes for different applications.
* Palettes: Artists typically used wooden palettes to mix their paints.
* Varnishes: Varnishes were used to protect and enhance the finished painting.
Techniques:
* Realism: This movement emphasized depicting subjects as they appeared in everyday life, with accurate detail and naturalism. Artists like Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet used this technique.
* Romanticism: This movement focused on emotions, imagination, and the sublime. Artists like Eugène Delacroix and Caspar David Friedrich used dramatic brushwork, expressive colors, and evocative compositions to capture these themes.
* Impressionism: This revolutionary movement sought to capture fleeting moments of light and atmosphere. Artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir used short, broken brushstrokes and vibrant colors to depict the effects of light on objects.
* Post-Impressionism: This movement built upon Impressionism, exploring individual expression and personal styles. Artists like Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin used bold colors, distorted forms, and expressive brushwork to communicate their unique visions.
Influences:
* Technological Advancements: The invention of the camera, the development of synthetic pigments, and new techniques like lithography all influenced artistic practices.
* Social and Political Changes: The Industrial Revolution, the rise of nationalism, and the growth of urban centers all impacted the themes and subject matter of 19th-century art.
* Philosophical and Scientific Ideas: The influence of philosophers like Kant and Hegel, and scientific discoveries like Darwin's theory of evolution, also played a role in shaping artistic trends.
Notable Artists:
* Realism: Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, Honoré Daumier
* Romanticism: Eugène Delacroix, Caspar David Friedrich, Francisco Goya
* Impressionism: Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Berthe Morisot
* Post-Impressionism: Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
The 19th century was a time of significant change and experimentation in the art world, setting the stage for the modern art movements that followed. Artists developed new techniques, embraced different styles, and explored diverse themes, leaving a lasting legacy on the development of art history.