19th-Century Art

Nineteenth-century art expresses visually the awesome flood of energy that created the world we know today. Revolutions start the story -- first the American, then the French, leading to new forms of government and new ways for artists to view society and their own place within it. The Industrial Revolution created a new ecomonic order and a new aristocracy of moneyed patrons of the arts. New techniques found their way into the studios of painters and sculptors alike. This search for the new as the key to a better life remains a hallmark of modern life and art.

19th-Century Art explores the nineteenth century's creative wellspings and present here the first comprehensive view of its achievements. To match the opulence of their subject, the authors selected over 500 illustrations, of which 89 are faithfully reproduced in excellent color. Dr. Janson photographed many of the sculptures himself, and many of the paintings have never before been reproduced in color.

In the text, the authors draw from the historical documentation of the period of the dynamics of the making and viewing of art, examining the reciprocal influences of art and technology, art and politics, art and literature, and art and music.

includes discussions of the careers of distinguished artists such as David, Manet, Renoir, and Rodin.