European Painting and Sculpture

Two schools of thought dominated the European art world during the 19th century. Barbizon artists favored an accurate though somewhat romanticized impression of the real world. Choosing landscapes as their subject, these artists were influential to the Impressionist movement of that time. In sharp contrast, the Academic artists depicted Bible or classical mythology stories in their work. Academic artists followed a strict hierarchy of subject matter–still life and landscape were at the bottom, while history painting was at the top.

The Shepherdess
The Bridge-Canal at Briare
Gardeuses de Porce
He Careth