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“Annunziata” by Filippo della Valle
The name of this carving is taken from the Italian word for “annunciation” and depicts the Virgin Mary receiving word from the Angel Gabriel that she will bear the son of God. The relief was carved in 1750 at Sant’Ignacio Church in Rome. -
Period: to
Virtual Museum 1750-1800
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Independence Hall
Andrew Hamilton oversaw the completion of the Pennsylvania State House, or Independence Hall, in 1753. The Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed within the walls of the building. It has gone through several reconstructions since its initial completion. -
“Young Girl Writing a Love Letter” by Pietro Antonio Rotari
Pietro Rotari was an example of the highly successful, itinerant artist of the eighteenth century. He created many genre portraits, including images of pretty young girls smiling, frowning, dozing and casting coquettish glances. Rotari is historically important as one of the main representatives of a group of Italian artists who worked in Germany, Poland, and Russia, spreading a sort of international rococo style whose Italian origin is often hardly recognizable. -
"Madame de Pompadour" by François Boucher
Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour and mistress to Louis XV, was Boucher's patron and one of his favorite subjects. Boucher is most famous for his paintings of nudes. In this portrait, he “pays conspicuous attention to the ample silken costume, reflections of an opulence somewhat contradictory to the "age of reason" which is the overt message of this gorgeous picture.” It is presently part of The Wallace Collection in London. -
“Portrait bust of Shakespeare” by Louis-François Roubiliac
Also known as the “Davenant Bust of Shakespeare”, this terra cotta sculpture was one of Roubiliac’s most celebrated pieces. It is still used to this day as a comparison to authenticate likenesses of Shakepeare. -
"Candide" by Voltaire
Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, used the satirical tones in Candide to express discontent with nobility, philosophy, the hypocisy of the church, oppression and cruelty. This satiric novel has been considered Voltaire's signature work. -
“Trevi Fountain” by Nicola Salvi
The fountain, commissioned by Pope Clement XII, was originally opened in 1762. The fountain was made with an aquatic theme featuring the central figure of a sculpture of Roman god, Neptune, riding a shell chariot pulled by two seahorses. -
Gold Egg Cup
Possibly associated with the workshop of Jean Ducrollay.
This gold egg cup, possibly of the workshop of Jean Ducrollay, is a masterpiece of early French Neoclassical design. It’s Greek inspired style was very popular in France in the 1760’s. The cup has a gold, detachable liner and is heavily ornamented with swags of laurel. -
“The Swing” by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
This painting was commissioned by French libertine Baron de St. Julian. It depicts a young girl, Baron’s mistress, swinging with wild abandon while he looks on in admiration. The painting was also featured in the 2013 movie, Frozen. -
“Marie Antoinette” by Joseph Ducreux
Ducreax was commissioned to paint a miniature of the future queen to be sent to her future husband. Louis XVI was so pleased with the portrait that Ducreax was made a baron and also premier peintre de la reine, or “First Painter to the Queen” -
“The Blue Boy” by Thomas Gainsborough
Gainsborough painted the young man in blue at some point around 1770 as a homage to artist Sir Anthony Van Dyck. In 1921, it was purchased by an American railroad tycoon and has remained in America ever since. It remains today as one of the most famous paintings ever created. -
“Mary, Queen of Scots” by William Hamilton
William Hamilton was best known for his paintings depicting episodes from the plays and poetry of Shakespeare. He was also known for painting current events of the time. Here, he portrays the sensuous doomed queen that was interpreted by many European painters of the Romantic period. -
“Oath of the Horatii” by Jacques Louis David
This painting was commissioned by the Administrator of Royal Residences in 1784. The story was taken from Titus-Livy. It has been decided that the dispute between the two cities must be settled in combat between two groups of champions, being the three Horatii brothers and the three Curiatii brothers. David depicts the beginning of this battle in this portrait, one of the most important of his career. It is currently housed in the Musée du Louvre at Paris. -
“Self Portrait with Two Pupils, Mademoiselle Marie Gabrielle Capet and Mademoiselle Carreaux de Rosemond” by Adelaide Labille-Guiard
Labille-Guiard was a strong proponent of art education for women and accepted female students into her studio. While she was a well-respected artist and teacher, she was not invited to have a studio at the King’s court due to her acceptance of female pupils. -
“Cornelia Point to Her Children as Her Treasures” by Angelica Kaufmann
For 18th century artists, it was not enough to simply paint a beautiful painting; one also had to impart a moral message. In “Cornelia, Point to Her Children as Her Treasures”, the mother of Roman leaders, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, is shown presenting her children to a visitor in comparison with the woman’s jewels and thereby suggesting that her children are her great treasure. -
Schloss Bellevue
Schloss Bellevue, or Bellevue Palace was erected in 1786 as a summer residence for Prince Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia. It was designed by architect Michael Philipp Boumann and was the first neoclassic building in Germany. -
“Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss” by Antonio Canova
Inspired by the telling of the story of Cupid and Psyche in Metamorphoses by Apuleius, Canova sculpted the two lovers in an embrace after Cupid discovers Psyche has fallen into a deep, death-like sleep. -
“Pinkie” by Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence painted this portrait of an eleven year old Sarah Barrett Moulton at the request of her aunt who lived in Jamaica. The portrait hangs in the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, opposite The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainbourough. The two portraits, though painted 24 years apart, have become somewhat synonymous with each other. -
"The Mysteries of Udolpho" by Ann Radcliffe
The Mysteries of Udolpho is the ultimate in Gothic romances, complete with physical and psychological terror; crumbling castles in remote locations; supernatural episodes; a scheming villain; and a tortured heroine.
This novel has been referenced in many future literary works, including many references in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, which was a satire based on Udolpho. -
Hwaseong Fortress
The word ‘Hwaseong’ means “brilliant castle”. Hwaseong Fortress was built in 1796 to house and honor the remains of the father of King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty. It was here in the center of Suwon City, that Jeongio was able to form a new political basis for his people. -
“The Repentant Magdalene” by Antonio Canova
Lauded as Canova’s greatest work, the sculpture, made of marble and gilt bronze, presents Mary Magdalene in a state of grief over the loss of Jesus. The “stark and striking image of grief” struck a chord with French audiences who had been at war for decades and no doubt knew what the pain of loss felt like. -
“The Intervention of the Sabine Women” by Jacques-Louis David
French artist, Jacques-Louis David, used the story of the Sabine women intervening between the Romans and Sabine people to promote the idea of reconciliation among the French people after the revolution.
