Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) | Romantic painter

Sir Thomas Lawrence was the leading British🎨 portrait painter of the early 19th century, portraying most of the important personalities of the day in his polished and flattering style.

He was a child prodigy and largely self-taught; at the age of 10 he was making accomplished portraits in crayon.

He was influenced by Sir Joshua Reynolds🎨 during his youth; his style developed very little throughout his life.

Canaletto | St Mark's Square, Venice - The drawing room of Europe

St Mark's Square, is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as la Piazza ("the Square").

All other urban spaces in the city (except the Piazzetta and the Piazzale Roma) are called campi ("fields").

The Piazzetta ("little Piazza/Square") is an extension of the Piazza towards San Marco basin in its south east corner.

Giuseppe Sanmartino | The Veiled Christ, 1753

Placed at the centre of the nave of the Sansevero Chapel, The Veiled Christ is one of the most famous and impressive works of art in the world.

It was the Prince’s wish that the statue be made by Antonio Corradini (Italian🎨 Rococo sculptor🎨, 19 October 1688 - 12 August 1752), who had already done Modesty for him.

However, Corradini died in 1752 and only managed to make a terracotta scale model of the Christ, which is now preserved in the Museo di San Martino.

Francesco Solimena (1657-1747) | Baroque painter

Francesco Solimena was a prolific Italian painter🎨 of the Baroque era🎨, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen.

Francesco Solimena was born in Canale di Serino, province Avellino.

He received early training from his father, Angelo Solimena, with whom he executed a Paradise for the cathedral of Nocera (a place where he spent a big part of his life) and a Vision of St. Cyril of Alexandria for the church of San Domenico at Solofra.

Royal Palace of Caserta | A triumph of Italian Baroque

The Royal Palace of Caserta is a former royal residence in Caserta, southern Italy, constructed by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies as their main residence as kings of Naples.

It is one of the largest palaces erected in Europe during the 18th century.

In 1997, the palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its nomination described it as "the swan song of the spectacular art of the Baroque, from which it adopted all the features needed to create the illusions of multidirectional space".

Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) | Neoclassical / Romantic painter

Jacques-Louis David🎨 was a highly influential French painter🎨 in the neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era.

In the 1780-s his cerebral brand of history painting marked a change in taste away from Rococo frivolity toward a classical austerity and severity, heightened feeling chiming with the moral climate of the final years of the Ancien Régime.

Benjamin West PRA (1738-1820) | Neoclassical painter

American🎨-born Benjamin West was one of the most prominent artists in late eighteenth century London.

President of the Royal Academy (PRA) from 1792 until his death, he received many commissions from George III and other English patrons, and at the same time served as teacher and advisor to three generations of American artists in London.

Gaetano Gandolfi (1734-1802) | Paintings

Gaetano Gandolfi🎨 was an Italian painter🎨 of the late Baroque🎨 and early Neoclassic period, active in Bologna.

Gaetano was born in San Matteo della Decima, near Bologna, to a family of artists.

Ubaldo Gandolfi was his brother, Mauro Gandolfi was his son, and Democrito Gandolfi was his grandson.

Gaetano became a "student" at the Accademia Clementina in Bologna, where he was taught by Felice Torelli and Ercole Lelli.