Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889

Out of the few paintings I have been exposed to in my history of art class, I think this painting expresses Gogh's mentality the most. The painting is both artistic and beautiful, and simultaneously full of mystery.

Vincent Van Gogh, Night Cafe, 1888

This painting was done by an incredible artist. Although Gogh life ended tragically, he certainly left his mark on the art world. He painting are classified as post-impressionist.

Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson, Burial of Atala, 1808

Burial of Atala is a interesting painting that embodies the style of Romanticism. Atala, who is dedicated to keeping her virginity, kills herself rather than breaking her vow for her lover. The emotion that this painting expresses is intense and elegant.

Jacques-Louis David, Coronation of Napoleon, 1805-1805, France

This painting was done by Napoleon's official court painter, Jacques-Louis David, in 1808. I think this painting is a beautiful representation of Neoclassicism. David portrayed Napoleon coronation, and the architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral with great fidelity to the actual events of that day.  

William Hogath, Breakfast Scene, from Marriage a la Mode, 1745

I like this painting because of its comedic purpose. Painted by William Hogath in 1745, this painting is a step away from the serious works painted by artists in the past. Western societies in the early 18th century were serious culturally, and monarchs yielded a great deal of power our their populous. So, I find it interesting to see a painting that is not promoting religious nor secular (political) agendas.

Jean-Honore' Fragonard, The Swing, 1766

This style of painting is called Rococo. Painted by Jean-Honore' Fragonard in 1766, this picture illustrates the evolution of painting. The image of a woman playfully and flirtatously swinging on swing would have been culturally blasphemous just a century earlier. Here, interestingly enough, Fragonard illustrates the increased freedom of expression artist gained near the end of the 18th century.

Jan Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance, 1664

Jan Vermer was really good at applying perspective in his paintings, and I think that is evident in this work. The religious symbolism that exist within the painting is also uniquely implemented. The woman's ability to ignore the jewelry on the table to focus on the perfect balance of the scales is an allusion to the life of a dedicated Catholic. It's a nice work of art.

Jacob Van Ruisdael, View of Haarlem from the Dures at Overveem, 1670

I think this painting is interesting because it looks like a photograph. Painted in 1670 by Jacob Van Ruisdael, this would have been the first photograph of in history. Interestingly enough, this isn't a photograph, but it is a picture that seems to capture the landscape at a specific moment in history.

Annibale Carracci, Loves of the Gods, 1597-1601

I like this painting because it reminds me of Michelangelo's work in the Sistine chapel. Unlike the Sistine chapel, Carracci's, Loves of the Gods, is rooted in mythology. These frescoes may be the product of baroque Italy, but the figures are characters of classical antiquity.

Gianlorenzo Benini, baldacchino, 1624-1633

Gianlorenzo Benini was a brilliant Italian sculptor who oversaw the construction of this grand structure. Located inside of Vatican city, baldacchino, is a design that must have left 17th century worshippers in awe. I like this structure because its theme has a mystical presentation. Here, one can see baroque Italy at its best.

Albrecht Durer, Self Portrait, 1500

This painting is a self portrait of a German painter named Albrecht Durer. I think this painting is interesting because I always wonder how many of the famous renaissance artists looked; and I feel like Durer portrayed himself realistically. Durer was also the closest thing to a Da Vinci  the Northern European renaissance had. In addition to being an artist, he was also a printmaker and mathematician. I've recently just discovered him in art class, and I think I was truly missing out before I became a witness to his work. He was truly a great genius and talent of his day.

Parmigianino, Madonna with the Long Neck, 1534-1540

Although I think Parmigianino did a pretty good job creating this painting in the Manneristic style that stood in contrast to other renaissance paintings, I actually think Madonna long neck doesn't appear unnatural at all. Now, baby Jesus on the other hand, appears a bit long when compared to other renaissance portraits of baby Jesus. If anything, it is the image of baby Jesus that makes this painting sincerely Manneristic. Nevertheless, this is a true work art.

Titian, Pastoral Symphony, 1508-1511

Titan Vecelli, Pastoral Symphony, is a great presentation of a renaissanceVenetian painting. The Venetian style differed from other paintings in renaissance Italy because of the use of vivd color in Venetian style paintings. This painting makes me feel like I am in 16th century Italy.

Michelangelo, David, 1501-1504

How could I possibly talk about great Renaissance artists without mentioning Michelangelo. His David is second to no other. I like this David because in contrast to Donatello's David, this is the most realistic.  This David looks like a real person.

Raphael, School of Athens, 1509 - 15011

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, or Raphael, painted this work of art for Pope Julius II in Rome. I like this portrait because Raphael included some of the worlds great philosophers, and a self portrait of himself. I also like Raphael's use of linear perspective. The structures within the painting appears to recede deep into space.

Michelozzo di Bartolomeo, Interior Court of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, 1445

Michelozzo di Bartolomeo did an outstanding job with this design for the powerful Medici family. This interior courtyard of the Medici palace takes me back to ancient Rome, and not 15th century Italy. Perhaps, that was the intentions of Bartolomeo; maybe he wanted the Medici family to feel like they were in classical Rome instead of 15th century Italy.

Filippo Brunelleschi, Interior of the Pazzi Chapel, 1433

This Interior design was done by an Italian architect named Filippo Brunelleschi. I like this design because from the outside of the building it does not appear that such a design exist inside. For example, the view from outside of the Pazzi Chapel presents a much smaller structure; but the view from the inside makes the building appear much more spacious. The spacious presentation is, of course, a direct result of Brunelleschi usage of the dome.

Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi, 1423

This painting is by Gentile da Fabriano, an Italian renaissance painter who specialized in the International Gothic style. I like this painting because it encompass the elegance, structure, and presentation that is characteristic of an International style type painting. The golden color give this painting a "heavenly" feel, and the audience  is immediately lured into the sacred presentation.

Leonardo Da Vinci, Madonna on the Rocks, 1438

 I personally think this is one of Da Vinci's most fascinating paintings. I think this painting is more beautiful than the Mona Lisa. Da Vinci was a master at depicting his art as mysterious and "smokey". This painting captures Da Vinci artistic contribution at its best.

Sandro Botticelli, Primavera, 1482

This painting was done by Sandro Botticelli for Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de' Medici, a member of the powerful Medici family of 15th century Florence, Italy. I think this painting is humanism at its best. All of the characters portrayed in this painting are very realistic. They are set apart from each other by   Botticelli use of depth and diversity.

Jan van Eyck, 1434

I think this painting is great because of Eyck's careful attention to detail. How he was able to paint himself as one of the images in the mirror in the back of the room, escapes me. I also admire how each item within the painting symbolizes something significant in the life of Giovanni Arnolfini, the patron who commission the painting.

Hubert and Jan van Eyck, Ghent Altarpiece, Ghent, Belgium, 1432

This altarpiece was created by a brilliant Flemish artist Jan van Eyck. I chose this piece because it took God, who is transcendent in the priestly source of the bible, and made him very human. This altarpiece would have been a wonderful way to capture the imagination of worshipers in the Saint Bavo Cathedral.

Arnolfo di Cambio, Santa Maria del Fiore

I think this beautiful design by Arnolfo di Cambio is architecture at its best. This piece takes me out of the 21st century and into the 13th century. I can hear the church bells and smell the smells of all that was 13th century Italy; all that was considered the good life in those days. Is it not the job of the artist to captivate the imagination of the audience, and take them to a place that transcends the limitations of the finite plane of everyday existence? Look at this piece and be carried back in time.

Nicola Pisano, pulpit of the baptistery

       
This picture captures the unique work of the Italian sculpture Nicola Pisano. Nicola completed the pulpit of the baptistery in 1260 for "Pisa's century-old baptistery". I personally like this piece by Nicola because it embodies the best of classical art. For example, the columns that are supported by lions takes me out of medieval Europe and back into 1st century Rome; a period in which art/sculpture was harnessed and expressed in supreme elegance. This piece is certainly one of elegance that rivals the great artistry of ancient Rome.