ArtBabble: Neo-Classicism

"The Square of Saint Mark's, Venice," 1742/1744, Canaletto

National Gallery of Art, Washington — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:48:43 +0000

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Visit the heart of Venice—Saint Mark’s Square—in this video from the Children’s Video Tour. Giovanni Antonio Canal, who was nicknamed Canaletto to distinguish him from his father, painted this work in the 18th century. He specialized in paintings of Venice that recorded the city’s daily activities and unique architecture. Since cameras had not yet been invented, tourists bought his paintings and drawings to hang in their homes as souvenirs of their trip. On view in the West Building, Gallery 31. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=32588

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"The Marquise de Pezay, and the Marquise de Rougé with Her Sons Alexis and Adrien," 1787, Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun

National Gallery of Art, Washington — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:46:53 +0000

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Children's Video Tour-Time Travel

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National Gallery of Art, Washington

This painting was painted by Elisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun, one of late-eighteenth century France’s most successful portrait painters. Vigée-Le Brun was interested in fashion and painted clothing with great detail to show her sitters’ wealth and elegance. She often selected their costumes—choosing garments of shimmering silks, iridescent taffetas, delicate lace, and gold trim. She also designed imaginative headdresses—such as the ones worn by the women here—inspired by turbans from the Near East. On view in the West Building, Gallery 56. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=50215

Jacques Louis David, The Death of Socrates, 1787 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Smarthistory — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:30:31 +0000

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Smarthistory

One of David's great pre-revolutionary canvases, The Death of Socrates speaks to the ideals of reform and virtue that preoccupied the French enlightenment and created the context for this magnificent realization of Neo-Classicism.

Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker