The Nineteenth Century Book

Ranging right across a period of baffling and complex social, political and cultural changes, this masterly introduction to the visual arts identifies the major concepts and stylistic characteristics of an age which encompassed movements as varied as Neoclassicism and Impressionism. The author begins with a consideration of both Neoclassical and Romantic currents. He looks at the roles of such eminent figures as Benjamin West and Sir Joshua Reynolds, and considers the work of the leading artists of both movements - David, Ingres and then Goya and Rodin (among others). He goes on to examine the effect of the romantic sensibility on English landscape painting with particular attention to the work of Turner and Constable. The book also covers the French Realist and Impressionist movements and the final chapter considers the Post-Impressionists, the pre-Raphaelites, Whistler and the exponents of the growing Arts and Crafts movement.