These two paintings by Claude Lorrain (c. 1600-1682) illustrate his mastery of creating beautiful landscapes and architectural scenes.

The first painting shows a Seaport at Sunset (1639). The second one shows Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba (1648). Both show the impact of the sunset on these port scenes. Do you have any favorite among the two?

Claude Lorrain worked most of his life in Italy, an area where landscape paintings were not necessarily treated as the highest form of art. So, Lorrain frequently added some historical elements to his idealized landscape paintings, as history paintings were considered of the highest standard. He did this often through the addition of a historical event (like the presence of the Queen of Sheba), but also by including some historical buildings.

 The master of the sunset. These two paintings by Claude

A historical view of arguably the greatest disaster in London’s history.

The Great Fire of London, with Ludgate and Old St. Paul's (c. 1670) was painted by an artist whose identity is unknown until today.

It shows one of the most devastating events that has happened in London’s history, the Great Fire which took place between September 2 and 6, 1666. On the left, you can see several people trying to save whatever they can, while, on the right, the long lines of people are trying to extinguish some of the fire.

On the left side, it shows Ludgate, the westernmost gate in the London Wall, on fire. This gate would be completely destroyed by the fire but was rebuilt afterwards (only to be demolished in 1760). The Old St. Paul’s Cathedral, which can be seen in the distance, was also destroyed.

It’s always fascinating to think about the person who could have painted this. Unfortunately, there are no leads on whom this person may have been. But if you have any ideas, feel free to share!

 A historical view of arguably the greatest disaster in

This painting is a national icon in Norway!

Skiing Birchlegs Crossing the Mountain with the Royal Child by Knud Berglien shows two heroic rebels saving the Norwegian Prince Haakon IV which would lead to the end of the Norwegian civil war in 1240.

 This painting is a national icon in Norway! Skiing

The Second of May 1808 shows a significant historical event. Francisco Goya shows the heroism of the Spanish citizens in Madrid in their rebellion against the French occupation.

While the painting may look like a triumph of the Spanish, the reality was different and many of the rebels were executed the next day.

 The Second of May 1808 shows a significant historical

If you have ever visited Florence, Italy, you will probably recognize this view.

View of Florence (1837) is a Romantic painting by Thomas Cole (1801-1848), an British-American painter known for his stunning works combining landscapes with history.

In 1831, Cole visited Italy and made an elaborate sketch of this view from the San Miniato al Monte Church, a basilica standing on one of the highest points of the city of Florence. Six years later he converted this sketch into a large oil painting.

And if you will go there today, the most iconic building you see from there are still the same as two centuries ago. You can see the Ponte Vecchio (the bridge with buildings on it) crossing the Arno River, the enormous Duomo with its bell tower on the right site, and the Palazzo Vecchio tower in the center.

And if you have plans to visit Italy and Florence in the future, my personal recommendation is to visit Florence and climb the hill across the river to get this view (it's best at sunrise or sunset).

 If you have ever visited Florence, Italy, you will probably

The Last Day of Pompeii (1830-1833) shows the dramatic impact of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Karl Brullov (1799-1852) painted the dramatic impact of this event, which killed most inhabitants of Pompeii, on an enormous canvas (457 x651 cm).

It is considered the first Russian painting that had immediate international success, elevating the status of Russian painting.

 The Last Day of Pompeii (1830-1833) shows the dramatic

The people in Washington Crossing the Delaware by Leutze are a true representation of the people in the American Colonies.

I just made a 2-minute video explaining this work and those people in detail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1fd9Yhy5OU

 The people in Washington Crossing the Delaware by Leutze

A historically accurate memory of the Wailing Wall.

The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem was painted in a Realist style by the German-Jewish artist Gustav Bauernfeind (1848-1904).

It shows the Western Wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. It is more popularly known as the Wailing Wall, but to be accurate this part only refers to a small part of the Western Wall. The wall was originally built as part of the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple and was started by Herod the Great in the first century BCE. It holds significance in various religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Its popular nickname, the Wailing Wall, refers to the practice of Jews weeping at the site over the destruction of the Temples.

While Bauernfeind captures several people praying at the wall, this painting mainly emphasizes the presence of the impressive 2000-year-old wall. Bauernfeind captures the timelessness of this wall, a testament to the endurance of religion over the centuries. He beautifully captures the wall in the light, with the grass and moss growing in the cracks.

 A historically accurate memory of the Wailing Wall. The

Queen Bianca (1877) was painted by the Finnish artist Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905).

It shows a historical scene about the Swedish medieval Queen Bianca and it's based on a story written by the Finnish author Zachris Topelius (1818-1898). And just for clarity, Finland was part of Sweden at the time of Queen Bianca.

Queen Bianca is bouncing her son Haakon on her knee while singing to him. Bianca had already arranged a marriage for her son. He would marry Princess Margareta of Denmark when he was old enough, which would lead to the union between Denmark and Sweden. And the queen is singing about these plans to her son, clearly convinced that she had done the right thing for her son.

 The love between mother and son. Queen Bianca (1877) was

Joan of Arc (1865) by John Everett Millais (1829-1896) shows how the French heroine has taken her battle helmet off to say a prayer. She is portrayed as a fierce yet elegant soldier, wearing thick armor and a heavy sword, combined with her red skirt.

Jeanne d'Arc played an important but somewhat mysterious role in the Hundred Years' War between various houses to decide who was to rule France. But she is considered a hero because she came from a poor family, yet she led the French army to several decisive victories, turning the course of the Hundred Years' War around.

As a 14-year-old girl she started hearing voices of saints in her mind. These voices told her to fight for France against the English. It took her some time to convince the army leaders of her divine inspiration, but when she was given her first chance, she immediately led the French to success.

Millais was one of the first British artists who painted Joan of Arc. Not surprisingly, she had mainly been popular among French artists until this time, but Millais had probably become familiar with her through the increasing number of engravings of works about her that were circulating.

 How would you describe her in one word? Joan of Arc (1865)

Before Edgar Degas became the famous Impressionist/Realist artist that created the most beautiful sculptures and paintings of dancers, he aspired to become a traditional history painter.

He painted Scene of War in the Middle Ages in 1865.

 Before Edgar Degas became the famous Impressionist/Realist

The historical and Orientalist works by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) can be disturbing and benefit from some context.

The Slave Market (1867) is a combination of his imagination and the reality he observed somewhere in North Africa or the Middle East.

Seen in its historical context, there are at least two important messages here. On the one hand, it was a critique of the dehumanizing practices seen in the Oriental world. On the other hand, this type of painting appealed to Gerome's French audience, because it was a way of showing the self-perceived, moral superiority of the French. As if saying, look at what those people far away do, we would never do that..

A bit complicated, but nevertheless an interesting perspective at the history of slavery. But in the end, remember, it is a work that was not painted on the spot, and is a combination of Gerome's observations and his imagination.

 The historical and Orientalist works by Jean-Léon Gérôme

Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli (1884) is a work by the Danish Realist artist Peder Mørk Mønsted (1859-1941).

Mønsted captured his landscape scenes with incredible detail. By capturing the natural elements and the effects of the sunlight very accurately, his works are sometimes hard to separate from modern photos.

This scene is from Tivoli, a historical town in the countryside just east of Rome. It has been a source of inspiration for so many landscape paintings over time. Claude Lorrain (1600-1682), for example, already painted his idyllic and dreamy views here.

Mønsted painted one of beautiful temples from the 2nd-century BC that has survived in Tivoli. The Temple of the Sybil is located on the highest point of the hill where Tivoli is built and you can still visit it today.

 Painting or photo? Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli (1884) is

Zenobia's Last Look on Palmyra (1888) by Herbert Schmalz (1856-1935) shows how the queen has one last view at her beloved city before she is exiled to Rome.

Zenobio was quite a character. She became the third-century queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Syria and expanded her territory by annexing neighboring areas, including Egypt. However, she was still subordinate to the Roman Emperor. So, when she wanted to get independent, the Roman Emperor Aurelian, famous for his military victories, came to Palmyra to fight them. After an intense fight, the Romans were victorious, and the chained Zenobia can have one last look at her city before being taken as a prisoner to Rome.

You can see the Romans on the stairs and the floor below. And the large columns on the left provide an impression of the magnificence of Palmyra.

 A queen in chains. Zenobia's Last Look on Palmyra (1888) by

The Murder of the Sons of Edward IV (1835) was painted by Theodor Hildebrandt (1804-1874) who specialized in capturing literary and historical scenes.

This cruel event is based on a real story, which was described by Shakespeare in his play Richard II. It shows Edward V and his brother Richard laying in bed. Edward V is only 13 years old, but already the King of England and Lord of Ireland, after the death of his father Edward IV. But after 78 days, even before he was officially crowned, this event happened.

Another Richard (not the youngest boy here) was the Duke of Gloucester, was the uncle of these boys. He was also the Lord Protector while Edward V was still young. He ordered the boys to be killed such that he could take his place as King Richard II (which would indeed happen).

Hildebrandt shows the murderers just before their deed. They see these boys sleeping and are hesitant for a moment whether they should execute the cruel plan of Richard III.

The tight and intimate compositions may provide the feeling that we are present in the room, but that we can do nothing to prevent the men from completing the murders...

 A moment of hesitation... The Murder of the Sons of Edward

The Third of May 1808 shows the cruel execution of Spanish peasants by the firing squads of Napoleon. Goya was deeply affected by these events and captured it in this work showing one Christ-like peasant as the martyr representing all the victims.

 The Third of May 1808 shows the cruel execution of Spanish

Sainte Jeanne d'Arc (1909) by Paul de la Boulaye (1849–1926) shows the young French soldier, martyr, heroine, and saint Joan of Arc.

She played an important but somewhat mysterious role in the Hundred Years' War between various houses to decide who was to rule France. But she is considered a hero because she came from a poor family, yet she led the French army to several decisive victories, turning the course of the Hundred Years' War around. She received divine inspiration during her life which is why she was later made a saint.

She was ultimately captured by the British at age 18, and the next year she was burned at the stake. But she has inspired many people over the next centuries, both men and women.

 Not every hero wears a cape. Sainte Jeanne d'Arc (1909) by

Mercy: St Bartholomew’s Day, 1572 was painted in 1886 by John Everett Millais (1829-1896).

The man in the doorway is a friar who has raised his hand as a call for arms. Every devout Catholic has to dress up when the sound of a bell sounded and be ready to kill for his beliefs. And the richly dressed man in the center is ready for action.

He wears a white cloth around his arm, a white crucifix on his hat, and rosary beads around his neck, all required items for the devout Catholic. But a nun tries to prevent him from leaving. She is begging him to not proceed with his cruel intentions. The Catholic is not going to give in. He has a determined look on his face and pushes the arm of the nun away.

And as a Pre-Raphaelite artist, the flowers in the left foreground have carefully been chosen. We can see passion flowers and roses. They are already past their peak, and they indicate that things are probably not going to end well for the Catholic man in this painting.

 Please don’t go… Mercy: St Bartholomew’s Day, 1572 was

How would you describe the look on her face?

St. Joan of Arc (1909) by Paul de la Boulaye (1849-1926) is nicely dressed in red. But the big sword she is about to draw shows her other side.

And as a final fun fact, Joan of Arc is often depicted with her sword, but according to some sources she never fought in the battles or killed any enemy. She designed the military strategies, but stayed at a distance during the fights (though would still be hit a couple of times by a stray arrow).

 How would you describe the look on her face? St. Joan of

A Little Prince Likely in Time to Bless a Royal Throne (1904) by Edmund Leighton (1853-1922) was inspired by the second part of Henry VI, a historical play by Shakespeare about the  struggle for power between the competing dynasties of Lancaster and York

This scene shows Henry's mother, Margaret Beaufort, holding her son (future King Henry VII). The prince stands straight and confidently looks at the crowd, which is separated from him by a line of guards holding pennants.

The painting shows the following passage from Shakespeare:

His head by nature framed to wear a crown

In 2002, the painting was sold for almost $600,000.

 I present you the future king! A Little Prince Likely in

The iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow has witnessed many monumental events.

The Abolition of Serfdom in Russia (1914) was painted by the Czech Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. It is part of a cycle of 20 large paintings that Mucha painted about the mythology and history of the Czechs and other Slavic peoples.

Mucha considered this series, which he painted between 1910 and 1928, his life's masterwork, despite the many other amazing Art Nouveau paintings that he made.

It shows the people affected on the famous Red Square in Moscow with the iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral in the background.

The Abolition of Serfdom in Russia: Work in Freedom is the Foundation of a State is the before-last painting of this cycle. It shows the The Emancipation Reform of 1861 in Russia, which was a reform in which serfdom was abolished throughout the Russian Empire (just for clarity, just like a slave, a serf is an unfree person, though the serf is attached to specific piece of land, and could only be sold together with the land, whereas a slave could be sold without the land - though slavery was already abolished in Russia in 1761).

 The iconic Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow has witnessed

Kosovo Maiden (1919) by the Serbian artist Uroš Predić (1857–1953) is inspired by an epic poem with the same name and has become a symbol of female compassion, help, and charitable work.

The scene takes place in 1389, after a battle between Serbia and the Ottoman Empire. A beautiful maiden, who we can see in this painting, decided to search the battlefield for her fiancé. And on her way, she helps the wounded warriors by providing them with water, bread, and wine.

Eventually, she meets the warrior in this painting, named Pavle Orlović. He is not going to make it but is able to tell the maiden that her fiancé (and his two blood-brothers) died in the battle.

 Compassion on the battlefield. Kosovo Maiden (1919) by the

In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, or 2 cents per acre. The German-American history painter shows the American and Russians during their negotiation.

Emanuel Leutze (1816-1868) is primarily known from his famous painting about Washington Crossing the Delaware in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.