History Painting - The Concept The term 'History Painting' is derived from the Italian word 'istoria,' meaning a story.
As the name suggests, History Painting pertains to capturing past and historical events on canvass, wall, or wood.
They depict scenes from a narration or a tale from mythology and classical Christian history.
Flavored with intellect and/or morality, the artworks portrayed divine figures from ancient mythological stories, the ones who contributed to the then spiritual & ethical principles, allegories, religion, and literature.
The History French artist, historiographer, theoretician, and architect André Félibien (1619-95), is considered the father of this art form (1667).
It was a medium to spread moral & religious values across the masses.
During the Italian Renaissance (1420-1600), History Painting flourished through the hands of great artists, like Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) and Michelangelo (1475-1564).
During the 17th-18th centuries, the genre had some real good artists.
Its development however, was marred due to the controversial prescriptions of the academicians in distinguishing between istoria and history.
By the 19th century, the form was a dominant off shoot of Academic Painting.
Mid-19thcentury saw the arrival of Historicism, which was was more about copying the styles and the concepts of History Painting.
In addition, the mixing of History Painting with a new form called Genre Painting, which revolved around the routine life and people, further lessened its luster.
Due to certain devastating events in the 20th century and the rise of Romanticism, History Paintings finally ceased to uphold their status and the appreciation for the art form started declining.
The Artists & the Artworks Leonardo's Mural Painting 'The Last Supper' (1495-98) is one of the greatest History works known.
Michelangelo's Fresco 'Creation of Adam' (1511) that adorns the ceilings of Sistine Chapel, Vatican, Italy, is nothing but a miracle in its own right.
Pablo Picasso's (Spain, 1881-1973) 'Guernica' (1937) was a reflection of the artist's view of this art form in the 20th century.
Antoine-Jean (1771-1835), Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825), Claude Joseph Vernet (1714-89), Carle Vernet (1758-1835), Pierre-Narcisse Guérin (1774-1833) were some of the key History Painters from France.
Conclusion History Painting has been fancied as a very exquisite and a meticulous form in the world.
With the absorption of newer concepts and limited novelty left in it now, its charm is lost and there are very few takers for it today.
Unlike the yesteryears, where the painters' stroke took long hours, days, months, & years, much sweat and skills, print and visual media do it pretty efficiently and perfectly now.
Once considered the grand genre in the hierarchy, its a rough road for most to pursue now.
As the name suggests, History Painting pertains to capturing past and historical events on canvass, wall, or wood.
They depict scenes from a narration or a tale from mythology and classical Christian history.
Flavored with intellect and/or morality, the artworks portrayed divine figures from ancient mythological stories, the ones who contributed to the then spiritual & ethical principles, allegories, religion, and literature.
The History French artist, historiographer, theoretician, and architect André Félibien (1619-95), is considered the father of this art form (1667).
It was a medium to spread moral & religious values across the masses.
During the Italian Renaissance (1420-1600), History Painting flourished through the hands of great artists, like Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) and Michelangelo (1475-1564).
During the 17th-18th centuries, the genre had some real good artists.
Its development however, was marred due to the controversial prescriptions of the academicians in distinguishing between istoria and history.
By the 19th century, the form was a dominant off shoot of Academic Painting.
Mid-19thcentury saw the arrival of Historicism, which was was more about copying the styles and the concepts of History Painting.
In addition, the mixing of History Painting with a new form called Genre Painting, which revolved around the routine life and people, further lessened its luster.
Due to certain devastating events in the 20th century and the rise of Romanticism, History Paintings finally ceased to uphold their status and the appreciation for the art form started declining.
The Artists & the Artworks Leonardo's Mural Painting 'The Last Supper' (1495-98) is one of the greatest History works known.
Michelangelo's Fresco 'Creation of Adam' (1511) that adorns the ceilings of Sistine Chapel, Vatican, Italy, is nothing but a miracle in its own right.
Pablo Picasso's (Spain, 1881-1973) 'Guernica' (1937) was a reflection of the artist's view of this art form in the 20th century.
Antoine-Jean (1771-1835), Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825), Claude Joseph Vernet (1714-89), Carle Vernet (1758-1835), Pierre-Narcisse Guérin (1774-1833) were some of the key History Painters from France.
Conclusion History Painting has been fancied as a very exquisite and a meticulous form in the world.
With the absorption of newer concepts and limited novelty left in it now, its charm is lost and there are very few takers for it today.
Unlike the yesteryears, where the painters' stroke took long hours, days, months, & years, much sweat and skills, print and visual media do it pretty efficiently and perfectly now.
Once considered the grand genre in the hierarchy, its a rough road for most to pursue now.