Eugenio Lucas Villaamil | Belle Époque painter

Eugenio Lucas Villaamil (Madrid, 1858-1918) also known as Lucas "the younger", was born to the painter Eugenio Lucas Velázquez and Francisca Villaamil.

Until only a few years ago the information we had about his life was almost as vague as what is known about his work.

After initially training in his father’s studio as a boy, he furthered his studies at the Special School of Painting in Madrid and took part in the National Exhibitions of Fine Arts three times.

Ippolito Caffi | Romantic vedutista

Italian painter Ippolito Caffi (1809-1866) was the most modern and original architectural subjects, seascapes and urban vedute artist of his time, and his paintings are so special in immortalising the soul of the places and peoples he encountered during his many trips.

He was born at Belluno.

His first works were produced at the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice.

By 1830, he had won awards for his vedute at the Academy.

Daniel Densborn, 1946 | Flamenco dancers

Daniel Densborn is a French self-taught painter.

Thanks to a knife and to small touches of color which he wisely applies on a canvas, he gives life to the subjects that he represents: bullfighting, hose racing, dancing.. the fury, the power of life intrinsic to his source of inspiration are thus perfectly captured.

His paintings are bold and romantic.

Andrew Atroshenko, 1965 | Ballet dancers

Born in the City of Pokrovsk, Russia, Andrew Atroshenko became part of a gifted child program at the Children’s Art School there, and was later accepted at the St. Petersburg Academy of Art, one of the world’s most prestigious art schools.

In 1999 Atroshenko spent the entire year in the U.S.

He was invited by "Bay Arts", a New England based group, to take part in their exhibitions and activities.

Victor Hugo | Surrealist Illustrator

Victor Marie Hugo (1802-1885) was not only one of France's greatest poet, novelist and dramatist, but also a prolific artist, painter, watercolourist, draughtsman and caricaturist.

Victor Hugo produced more than 4000 drawings.

Originally pursued as a casual hobby, drawing became more important to Hugo shortly before his exile, when he made the decision to stop writing in order to devote himself to politics.

Drawing became his exclusive creative outlet during the period 1848-1851.

Jean Béraud | Belle Époque painter

Jean Béraud (January 12, 1848 - October 4, 1935) was a French painter renowned for his numerous paintings depicting the life of Paris, and the nightlife of Paris society.

Pictures of the Champs Elysees, cafés, Montmartre and the banks of the Seine are precisely detailed illustrations of everyday Parisian life during the "Belle Époque".

He also painted religious subjects in a contemporary setting.

Denis Nolet, 1964 | Romantic painter

Canadian painter Denis Nolet preferring moonlight to sunlight.

He paints scenes saturated with the romance of the night.

Denis Nolet was born in Quebec.

Denis Nolet prefers the mystery of the night to the rays of the sun, which explains his penchant for the colors he uses.

Night owl himself, it is while people sleep that the artist works.

Ron Hicks, 1965: "I like to romanticize life"

"I see things very abstractly, so I think of myself as a painter who sees shape, value, edges and texture.

I like to romanticize life.

I love the interaction of people doing...'things' - whatever it is.

It could be the most mundane thing to any passer - by, but I find great beauty in that" - Ron Hicks