Claude-Joseph Vernet was one of the most famous landscape and marine painters in Europe during the second half of the eighteenth century. In this painting, “The Shipwreck,” Vernet depicts a stormy seascape, one of his favorite subjects. Shipwrecks were a real hazard of travel in the eighteenth century, much like the automobile or airplane crashes of today. Vernet’s lively brushwork adds to the drama of this scene, especially the dark sky and sea painted in shades of green and blue. On view in the West Building, Gallery 52. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=111194
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Watch out! In his painting “Watson and the Shark,” John Singleton Copley depicts a young boy thrashing in the water as a shark menacingly approaches. Copley based this work on a true story—in 1749, a young sailor named Brook Watson was swimming in Havana, Cuba, and was attacked by a shark. Watson survived the attack, and grew up to be a successful businessman and politician in England. Almost thirty years after the attack, he hired John Singleton Copley to paint his miraculous survival story. On view in the West Building, Gallery 60B. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=46471

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How does an artist make working at home interesting? In this film, artist Lucas Blalock photographs mundane objects from local discount stores in the living room of his Williamsburg apartment & studio. Shooting with a large format camera, Blalock arranges a series of sculptural, tabletop still lifes on colorful backdrops and patterned fabric. Quickly moving from one setup to the next, Blalock manipulates each scene by employing mirrors, adjusting the camera’s vantage point, and repeating objects.

Meet Napoleon Bonaparte in this 17th-century painting by Jacques-Louis David. David created many images of Napoleon, including portraits and depictions of important events that took place during his reign. In fact, Napoleon appointed David to the important position of “First Painter.” Two years after David made this painting, Napoleon was defeated in battle and overthrown as the ruler. On view in the West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 56. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=46114

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Find the Children's Video Tour at http://www.nga.gov/education/timetravel/index.shtm

Explore "Lake Lucerne," 1858, by Albert Bierstadt in this video from the Children’s Video Tour.

Explore Jan Davidsz de Heem’s sumptuous still life painting “Vase of Flowers” in this video from the Children’s Video Tour. Here, the artist depicts a harmonious arrangement of flowers, long stalks of wheat, and insects. Despite the realistic detail of this painting, this arrangement could never have really existed, as the flowers shown here bloom at different times of the year. There are more than 30 species of plants and flowers depicted in this painting. Which is your favorite? On view in the West Building, Gallery 50. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=46097

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Join the party in this video from the Children’s Video Tour! In Jan Steen’s painting “The Dancing Couple,” two figures dance, surrounded by people playing music, eating, drinking, and celebrating. Despite all of the merriment, there is a mess on the floor; did you notice the bucket with spilled flowers, broken eggshells, and an overturned barrel? Steen’s paintings often included such details as moral reminders to the viewer, warning not to be overly silly or wild. On view in the West Building, Gallery 46. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=1220

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Learn more about Jean Siméon Chardin’s 18th-century painting “Soap Bubbles” in this video from the Children’s Video Tour. Chardin specialized in painting scenes of everyday life and often painted scenes of favorite pastimes and children’s games, including playing cards, games of jacks, and bubble-blowing. Have you ever blown a bubble this big? On view in the West Building, Gallery 53. http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=994

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Find the Children's Video Tour at http://www.nga.gov/education/timetravel/index.shtm