19th century
Fyodor Yakovlevich Alekseyev (Russian: Фёдор Яковлевич Алексеев) was a Russian painter born around 1753 in Saint Petersburg. Known as the "Russian Canaletto" for his masterful vedute, or detailed paintings of cityscapes, Alekseyev made significant contributions to Russian art, particularly in depicting urban landscapes.
Alekseyev was admitted to the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1764, where he initially studied ornamental sculpture and scenic painting under Antonio Peresinotti. He spent several years in Venice, funded by a fellowship, where he studied theater painting but preferred creating landscapes and copying works by old masters. Upon his return to Russia, he faced restrictions but gradually gained recognition for his independent work. His notable painting "View of the Palace Embankment from the Fortress" earned him the title of Academician in 1794.
In 1800, Tsar Paul I commissioned Alekseyev to paint the streets and architecture of Moscow, resulting in numerous significant works that highlighted the city's grandeur. Despite a decline in fame later in life, his contributions to Russian urbanscape painting remain influential, with works such as "Red Square" and "The Flood of 1824 in the square at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre" held in major Russian museums like the State Russian Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery.
For updates on sales and auction events related to Fyodor Yakovlevich Alekseyev, sign up for our newsletter.
Antonio De Simone was an Italian marine painter.
He created many paintings depicting various ships at sea: frigates, yachts, sailing ships and steamships, in the storm and with the sails down. De Simone also painted historical battle scenes, such as his famous painting - "Bombardment of Alexandria", which is in the Royal Greenwich Museums.
Jenny Fikentscher (born Nottebohm) was a German painter and graphic artist associated with the Art Nouveau movement. She studied at the School of Women Painters in Karlsruhe and later became part of the Grötzingen artist colony. Fikentscher married animal painter Otto Fikentscher and raised five children in an unconventional artistic household. She was known for her botanical motifs and lithographs, often featuring local plants. Fikentscher also created collectible images for the Stollwerck chocolate company.
William Matthew Prior was an American folk artist known for his portraits, particularly of families and children.
About 1,500 portraits are attributed to Prior. His works are in many museums and institutions around the United States including the Harvard Art Museums, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the National Gallery of Art.
Wilhelm Schmurr was a German painter and co-founder of the Sonderbund in Düsseldorf. His style, characterized by clear expression, was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, Symbolists, and Realists. He received several awards and medals for his work and was a member of various art associations. Schmurr taught at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and inspired by the farmers after the war, he created scenes of simple life and still lifes. He was awarded the Karl-Ernst-Osthaus-Preis and the Bundesverdienstkreuz erster Klasse and became an honorary member of various artist associations.
Johan Victor Aarne, born Lindström in Sweden, was a Finnish jeweller who collaborated with the Fabergé firm and was a supplier to the Imperial Court.
Aarne was educated in the art of jewellery by the renowned jeweller Johan Erik Hellsten. He worked in the workshop of August Holmström, included in the Fabergé firm, before opening his own workshop. In 1891 he moved to St. Petersburg, where he worked directly for Fabergé. In 1904, he sold the workshop and moved to Vyborg, continuing to work successfully in the jewellery business.
Giuseppe Abbati was an Italian artist, renowned for his role in the Macchiaioli movement. Born on January 13, 1836, in Naples, Abbati's early exposure to art came from his father Vincenzo, who specialized in painting architectural interiors. This foundational experience deeply influenced his initial works, which were primarily interiors. However, Abbati's artistic journey took a significant turn after losing his right eye in the Battle of Capua during Garibaldi's 1860 campaign. This event marked a period of transformation, leading him to Florence where he engaged deeply with the Macchiaioli group at Caffè Michelangiolo.
Abbati's contribution to the Macchiaioli movement was profound, characterized by a bold treatment of light and shadow, a technique he mastered by painting en plein air. His landscapes, such as the "View from the Wine Cellar of Diego Martelli" (1866), exemplify his skill in capturing the interplay of light, offering viewers a luminous landscape scene glimpsed through the doorway of a darkened interior. His works are celebrated for their unique perspective and are housed in prestigious collections, including several museums across Italy.
Tragically, Abbati's promising career was cut short at the age of 32, when he died in Florence from rabies, a consequence of a dog bite. Despite his brief life, his artistic legacy endures, influencing generations of painters who admire his innovative approach to natural light and landscape.
For enthusiasts and collectors keen on exploring Giuseppe Abbati's work further or acquiring pieces associated with him, subscribing to updates on new sales and auction events is highly recommended. Stay informed on opportunities to own a piece of this remarkable artist's legacy. Subscribe today for exclusive updates.
Louise Abbéma was a French painter, sculptor, and designer, celebrated for her work during the Belle Époque. Born in Étampes in 1853 into an affluent Parisian family, she became well known for her portraits, particularly of the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt, and for decorative panels commissioned for various public buildings in Paris and the Palace of the Governor in Dakar, Senegal.
Abbéma's art often depicted the upper echelons of French society and reflected the Impressionist style through her light and rapid brushstrokes. She was also notable for her involvement in the women's movement, where she contributed to the emerging image of the 'New Woman' by portraying androgynous figures and themes of intellectualism and freedom.
Among her many honors, Abbéma was awarded the Palme Academiques in 1887, nominated as the Official Painter of the Third Republic, and in 1906, she became a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Her works, such as "Lunch in the Greenhouse" and "Portrait of Sarah Bernhardt," have seen a resurgence in popularity as the contribution of women to historical art gains more recognition.
For those interested in the evocative and historically rich artworks of Louise Abbéma, consider subscribing to our updates. We'll keep you informed about new sales, auctions, and exhibitions featuring Abbéma's work, ensuring you're always connected to the latest offerings in the art and antique collectors' sphere.
Lemuel Francis Abbott was an English portrait painter. His most famous work is the portrait of Nelson, exhibited at the residence of the British Prime Minister.
During his artistic life Abbott created many portraits of famous people of the 18th century - naval officers, literati, officials, ladies of the world. He was one of the first to portray golfers.
Jacobus Theodorus "Jacob" Abels was a Dutch painter. He was a pupil of the animal painter Jan van Ravenswaay. In 1826 Abels had visited Germany, and on his return settled at the Hague. He was especially noted for his paintings of moonlit landscapes. The Museum at Haarlem has works painted by him.
Anna Adelaïde Abrahams was a Dutch still life painter. Beginning in 1882 Abrahams showed her work in Levende Meesters (Living Masters) exhibitions throughout the Netherlands. She exhibited in Europe in Paris, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Brussels. She exhibited her work at the Palace of Fine Arts at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Abrahams was a member of the art association Ons Doel Is Schoonheid (Our Goal Is Beauty) and was on the board of the Pulchri Studio.
Andreas Achenbach was a German landscape and seascape painter in the Romantic style. He is considered to be one of the founders of the Düsseldorf School.[citation needed] His brother, Oswald, was also a well known landscape painter. Together, based on their initials, they were known as the "Alpha and Omega" of landscape painters.
Oswald Achenbach was a German painter associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting. Though little known today, during his lifetime he was counted among the most important landscape painters of Europe. Through his teaching activities, he influenced the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. His brother, Andreas Achenbach, who was twelve years older, was also among the most important German landscape painters of the 19th century. The two brothers were humorously called "the A and O of Landscapes" (a reference to their initials matching a common German reference to the Alpha and Omega).
Otto Ackermann was a 19th-century German painter, mainly of landscapes. In 1897, he moved to Düsseldorf, where he remained until his death. He painted mainly landscape paintings of Belgium and the Netherlands, also working in printmaking on the same subjects. He was chairman of the local Düsseldorf Painters' Society and is mentioned in the diaries of Albert Herzfeld.
Johann Adam Ackermann was a German landscape painter of the early 19th century. His best-known works are his winter landscapes and watercolours. Johann Ackermann was the brother of Georg Friedrich Ackermann, who also painted landscapes but with less success.
Rudolph Ackermann the Elder was a German and British inventor and publisher, founder of Ackermann & Co.
He was the son of a master saddler, learned the craft and in time achieved a high art in carriage making, designing carriages and coaches. In 1794 Ackermann opened a printing and picture store in London, which quickly became popular. The following year he opened a printing shop at 96 Strand - thus began the printing business of the Ackermann dynasty, which lasted for over two hundred years.
Between 1808 and 1810. Ackermann published the first of his sumptuous plate books, The Microcosm of London, with beautiful hand-colored aquatints. This work established his reputation as a book publisher, and he subsequently published many more elaborate illustrated books. Ackermann also gained widespread fame for the periodical he founded in 1809, the Repository of Art, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashion, and Politics. This popular journal, published monthly until 1828, contained articles and illustrations of various kinds, especially on fashion, social and literary news.
Ackermann's business flourished, and by the end of 1820 he had established offices in Central and South America. Continuators of the Ackermann dynasty were in the printing business until the end of the twentieth centur
Julius Anton Adam was a German genre painter and animalist who specialised in the depiction of cats and was a member of an influential family of Munich painters.
Julius Anton Adam was a pupil of Professor Michael Echter and later Wilhelm von Dietz at the Munich Academy of Art. He later became a professor himself.
Benno Rafael Adam is a German animalist painter.
He began his fine art studies under the tutelage of his father, the balloonist painter Albrecht Adam. He masterfully depicted hunting dogs and horses, especially scenes of hunting wild animals. Benno Adam also illustrated several textbooks and manuals on livestock breeding.
Benno's son Emil Adam also became an artist.
Jean-Victor Vincent Adam was a French painter and lithographer.
Adam came from a dynasty of artists and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He painted views of various cities, including Russian Kazan and Yekaterinburg, as well as battle scenes from Napoleon's military campaigns. Collections of images of French military costumes prepared by Adam were published. His genre paintings with hunting scenes and animals are also known.
Albrecht Adam was a Bavarian painter of the first half of the 19th century. He is best known for the fact that as a member of Napoleon's Grand Army he took part in the campaign against Russia in 1812 as the official artist of the headquarters of the IV (Italian) Corps. Throughout the campaign, the artist made sketches and drawings, capturing many of the important events of the campaign. Later, many of these sketches became the basis for full-fledged paintings, and to subjects from the Napoleonic wars, which he witnessed, Adam addressed until the end of his very long life.
Albrecht Adam was also the author of memoirs, in which he described in detail the Battle of Borodino and a number of other key events of the War of 1812.
John Adams was an American statesman and politician and the second President of the United States (1797-1801).
The Adamses were among the first Puritan settlers in New England, and John's father was a farmer and shoemaker. John Adams graduated from Harvard College, taught grammar school in Worcester, Massachusetts, and then practiced law in Boston. In 1764, Adams married Abigail Smith, a minister's daughter, who became his confidante and lifelong political partner.
In 1765, Adams wrote "A Dissertation on Canon Law and Feudal Law," where he justified his opposition to British interference in the colonies. In the summer of 1774, Adams was elected to the Massachusetts delegation to the First Continental Congress, in which he became a major figure. He wrote Thoughts on Government as a basic guide to drafting new state constitutions. In July 1776, John Adams drafted the Plan of Treaties, which became the basis for the treaty with France and set the strategic priorities that would shape American foreign policy over the next century.
He was elected to the post of head of the War Council, in 1780 he became the author of the Massachusetts Constitution, which became a model for other states, in 1783 he signed the Treaty of Paris. From 1785 to 1788 John Adams served as the first American ambassador to Great Britain and proved himself worthy in this difficult situation, being the official embodiment of American independence from the British Empire. He studied European history extensively and the result was his three-volume book entitled A Defense of the Constitution of the Government of the United States of America (1787).
In 1789 Adams became the country's first vice president (Washington was the first president of the United States), and in 1797 he was elected the second president of the United States. However, his reign was not the best in the history of the new country. Deteriorating relations with France led to an undeclared naval war between the former allies. In 1798, Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted free speech rights. They met widespread opposition across the country. Adams resisted opposition demands for all-out war with France, but lost the 1800 election to Thomas Jefferson.
John Adams retired from politics and settled in his hometown of Quincy. He became the founder of an entire dynasty of politicians and died on July 4, 1826 (the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence), living to see his eldest son John Quincy elected as the sixth president.
John Quincy Adams was an American politician and statesman, the sixth President of the United States (March 4, 1825 - March 4, 1829).
John Quincy Adams was the son of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and, of course, public service was his destiny. As a child, in 1778 he traveled to France with his father, who was then U.S. Commissioner to France. At the age of 14, Adams became personal secretary to Francis Dana, the U.S. Minister to Russia, serving as his father's secretary as well during the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris (1783). In 1787, the twenty-year-old Adams graduated from Harvard University and, after studying law, began practicing in Boston.
In addition to numerous diplomatic appointments, Quincy Adams served as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts from 1803 to 1808. President James Madison appointed Adams U.S. minister to Russia in 1809, and Adams served until 1814. And under President James Monroe, he served as Secretary of State from 1817 to 1825 and is considered one of the best Secretaries of State in U.S. history.
John Quincy Adams won the 1824 presidential election in a four-way race against Henry Clay, William Crawford, and Andrew Jackson. As president, Adams supported a program to modernize the U.S. economy. But his popularity declined because of his approach to Native Americans, whom he supported against the demands of settlers from the west.
After losing the 1828 presidential election to Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served as a representative from Massachusetts for the next 17 years. In the House of Representatives, Adams became one of the most vocal opponents of slavery. He consistently defended abolitionist views and policies, denouncing slavery as an immoral institution and attacking the interests of Southern slaveholders. During the U.S.-Mexican War of 1848, Adams was a leading opponent of the annexation of Texas, farsightedly predicting that it would lead to civil war.
After suffering two strokes, Adams died on February 23, 1848, at the age of 80. Had fate not predestined him to pursue politics, John Quincy Adams would have become a famous poet. He spent his life composing poems in various genres. After his death, many of his poems were collected and published in Poems on Religion and Society (1848).
Carl Adloff was a German landscape painter. He is known for his urban scenes, architectural compositions and winter views.
Carl Adloff studied painting at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts from 1833 to 1843, where he attended the landscape class of Johann Wilhelm Schirmer and the architecture class of Rudolf Wigman. His choice of motifs favoured the Dutch landscape, based on seventeenth-century Netherlandish painting. He often painted seascapes enveloped in a romantic mood of tranquillity in moonlight, morning and evening light.
Jacques-Laurent Agasse is a Swiss animal painter.
As a young man he studied at the veterinary school in Paris and was well versed in equine anatomy. In 1880 he moved to London and began painting dogs and racehorses, as well as exotic animals such as giraffes and zebras, which he observed in London zoos. Later, Agasse began to paint landscapes, portraits, and genre scenes as well.
Joseph Matthäus Aigner was an Austrian portrait painter, who studied under Friedrich von Amerling and Carl Rahl. He painted portraits of Franz Joseph I of Austria and his wife Elizabeth, Franz Grillparzer, Friedrich Halm, Nikolaus Lenau, and Maximilian I of Mexico.
Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (Russian: Иван Константинович Айвазовский) was a Russian-Armenian painter, celebrated for his mastery in depicting seascapes. Born in 1817 in Feodosia, Crimea, Aivazovsky became one of the most renowned Russian artists of his time, with a career spanning over 60 years during which he created more than 6,000 paintings. His work is characterized by a profound understanding of the play of light on water, capturing the essence of the sea like no other artist of his era.
Aivazovsky's paintings stand out for their dramatic intensity and the emotional depth they evoke. He was particularly adept at illustrating the sea's many moods, from calm, serene waters to tumultuous storms. His ability to depict light, whether it be the tranquil glow of the moon on the water's surface or the fierce blaze of the sun setting over the ocean, was unparalleled. Among his most celebrated works are "The Ninth Wave" and "Among the Waves," both of which showcase his skill in portraying the sea's power and beauty. These masterpieces can be found in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, including the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg and the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
For collectors and experts in the realms of art and antiques, Aivazovsky's oeuvre represents a pinnacle of romantic landscape painting. His works are not only aesthetically magnificent but also embody a rich cultural and historical narrative, making them highly sought after in the art market. If you are passionate about the fusion of culture, art, and history embodied in painting, Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky's works are a testament to the enduring allure of the sea and its many faces.
To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, we invite you to sign up for our updates. This subscription ensures you're always in the know about opportunities to add a piece of this legendary artist's legacy to your collection.
Ivan Akimovich Akimov (Russian: Иван Акимович Акимов) was a Russian painter celebrated for his contributions to the Classical and Neoclassical styles of art. Born into a family of a typographer for the Governing Senate, Akimov's journey into the arts began early when, after his father's death, he penned a heartfelt letter to the Imperial Academy of Arts. This letter secured his admission, marking the start of his lifelong association with the Academy, where he evolved from a student to its director.
Akimov's education at the Academy was marked by numerous awards, including gold medals for his artworks, showcasing his burgeoning talent in painting. His artistic journey took him to Italy on a fellowship, where, despite initial challenges, he found mentorship under Pompeo Battoni and was inspired by the Venetian masters. This period was instrumental in shaping his skills and artistic outlook.
Throughout his career, Akimov was revered not just for his artistic output but also for his contributions to art education and historiography in Russia. He played a pivotal role at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, ultimately serving as its director. Akimov's legacy extends beyond his paintings, through his influence on future generations of artists and his foundational work in Russian art historiography. Among his notable works are "Prometheus Making a Statue at the Command of Minerva" and "The Baptism of Princess Olga in Constantinople", which reflect his classical influences and historical interests.
For those interested in exploring Ivan Akimovich Akimov's works and legacy, signing up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Akimov could provide valuable insights and opportunities to connect with his art. This subscription ensures you stay informed about the latest discoveries and offerings in the world of Russian classical painting.
Johannes Evert Hendrik Akkeringa was part of the second generation of the Hague School painters. Akkeringa is primarily known for his paintings and watercolours of women and playing children at the beach, women mending nets and intimate tea-time conversations.
Abdul Qadir Al Rassam was an Iraqi painter of the first half of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter and graphic artist and is considered the founder of modern Iraqi painting.
Al Rassam, a military officer by training, studied drawing at the Military College in Istanbul. Returning to Iraq, he created landscapes, portraits and murals. His work is characterized by historical and ethnographic accuracy. The master, according to critics, contributed to the influence of the European academic school on the Iraqi art scene.
Manuel Khristoforovich Alajalov (Russian: Мануил Христофорович Аладжалов) was a prominent Russian and Soviet landscape painter and educator, born in 1862 in Nakhichevan-on-Don. Alajalov's work is distinguished by his exquisite landscapes that capture the essence of the Russian countryside. His paintings are noted for their masterful use of light and shadow, bringing a serene and lifelike quality to his depictions of nature.
Alajalov's career was marked by a deep commitment to portraying the natural world with authenticity and emotion. His art reflects a profound appreciation for the tranquility and beauty of rural Russia, making him a significant figure in the history of Russian art. Alajalov's legacy as a teacher also influenced many aspiring artists of his time, further cementing his place in the artistic community.
Alajalov's works are showcased in several major Russian museums, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, where art enthusiasts can experience his contribution to landscape painting. His paintings continue to be celebrated for their technical excellence and emotional depth, attracting collectors and admirers from around the world.
For updates on new product sales and auction events related to Manuel Khristoforovich Alajalov, sign up for our newsletter. Stay informed about exclusive opportunities to own a piece of this celebrated artist's legacy.
Jean-François Albanis Beaumont was a French landscape painter, engineer, traveler and geographer.
He studied engineering in Paris and worked on architectural structures at Chambérly. Beaumont later accompanied the Duke of Gloucester, William Frederick of Hanover on a grand tour of Germany, Italy, France, and Switzerland, making notes and detailed pictorial sketches of views along the way. In 1800 he published the illustrated books Journey to the Lepontine Alps from France to Italy and Description of the Grecian and Cottian Alps (1802 and 1806).
Laure Albin-Guillot was a French artist and photographer. She is best known for her pioneering work in photography and for her contributions to the development of the medium in France during the early 20th century.
Albin-Guillot's early photographic work was focused on portraiture, and she became known for her elegant and striking images of celebrities and other notable figures. She later expanded her practice to include still life and landscape photography, and she was also a skilled photojournalist.
In addition to her photography, Albin-Guillot was an important figure in the Parisian art world, and she was involved in the development of modernist movements such as Cubism and Surrealism. She was a member of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs and was also involved in the organization of several major international exhibitions, including the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris in 1925.
Albin-Guillot was also a prolific writer and educator, and she wrote several books on photography and art history. She taught photography at the École Estienne in Paris, and she also founded her own photography studio, which became known for its innovative use of lighting and composition.
Today, Albin-Guillot's work is recognized as an important contribution to the development of modern photography, and her photographs are held in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Kazimierz Alchimowicz was a Polish painter who is considered one of the last Romantics in Polish painting. Among other things, he illustrated Adam Mickiewicz's poem Pan Tadeusz with a series of twelve paintings (1898) and prints (1903). He was the elder brother of the Polish painter Hiacynt Alchimowicz.
Antonio Ambrogio Alcati was an Italian academic painter, portraitist, master of frescoes and teacher. He studied painting at the Vercelli Institute of Fine Arts and the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.
Ambrogio Alcati's work is also influenced by Impressionism.
Louisa May Alcott was a 19th-century American writer.
Louisa, the daughter of transcendentalist Bronson Alcott, grew up in the company of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Parker, and Henry David Thoreau. Her education was largely under the guidance of her father, who, however, did not know how to properly provide for the family.
Louisa was forced to begin writing short stories and publishing in The Atlantic Monthly magazine. It could be said that need forced her to write an autobiographical book, Little Women (1868-69), which immediately became so popular that Louisa was finally able to pay off her debts. The book describes the domestic adventures of an optimistic New England family of modest means, tracing the different characters and destinies of four sisters as they grow up and face work, society, and marriage.
Alcott published sequels to the book, Little Men (1871) and Joe's Boys and What Came of Them (1886). There have been numerous films based on Little Women already in the 20th century, including the classic 1933 film starring Katharine Hepburn as Joe and the 2019 Greta Gerwig adaptation.
Alcott wrote other domestic stories based on her early experiences, and her books for younger children remain enduringly popular. Already in the 21st century, the gothic short stories and thrillers published by Alcott under a pseudonym between 1863 and 1869 have been collected and reprinted.
Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, was a renowned sculptor, carver, and architect in Colonial Brazil. His exceptional works adorned numerous churches across the country, showcasing a style influenced by Baroque and Rococo. Considered the greatest exponent of colonial art in Brazil, Aleijadinho is recognized internationally as a leading figure in Baroque art in the Americas.
Despite limited biographical information, his contributions are celebrated through the vast body of work he left behind. His creations, including carvings, architectural projects, reliefs, and statues, were concentrated in Minas Gerais, notably in Ouro Preto, Sabará, São João del-Rei, and Congonhas. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Ouro Preto and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus of Matosinhos showcase some of his most significant works.
Alexandr II Nikolaevich (Russian: Александр II, Александр Николаевич) was Emperor of All Russia, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland of the Romanov dynasty.
Alexandr was the eldest son of the imperial couple Nikolai Pavlovich and Alexandra Feodorovna. The time of his reign from March 2, 1855 to March 13, 1881, the coronation took place on September 7, 1856. Alexander II is known for large-scale domestic reforms, the most important of which was the liberation of serfs (1861).
Responsible for the moral and intellectual development of little Alexandr was appointed poet, humanitarian, liberal and romantic Vasily Zhukovsky, who laid the foundations of the future tsar's character. Alexandr ascended the throne at the age of 36 after the death of his father in February 1855, in the midst of the Crimean War. His first order of business was the construction of new railroads, which was vital to the economy of the vast country, then he abolished serfdom, carried out judicial reform and reform of local government. The Army Statute of 1874 introduced conscription for the first time, making young men of all estates eligible for military service.
One of Alexandr's most important decisions was to soften the fate of those convicted on political articles. Many prisoners were released, and Siberian exiles were allowed to return. The emperor also removed or relaxed heavy restrictions on religious minorities, especially Jews. However, all these liberal innovations eventually led to the birth of a revolutionary movement. In the spring of 1866, the first attempt was made on the tsar, who miraculously escaped, but afterward gave great powers to the secret police under Pyotr Shuvalov. Failures in foreign policy and unforgivable love affairs followed, with the result that Alexandr's authority was greatly undermined. Beginning in 1879, revolutionary terrorism against the person of the Tsar himself intensified. On March 13, 1881, he was mortally wounded by a bomb as a result of a plot organized by the Narodnaya Volya.
In general, during the reign of Alexandr II, a large-scale modernization of Russian institutions was carried out. Russia created the base necessary for the transition to capitalism and industrialization at the end of the century. At the same time, Russian expansion, especially in Asia, was steadily gaining momentum.
Alexandr III Aleksandrovich (Russian: Александр III, Александр Александрович) was Emperor of All Russia, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland of the Romanov dynasty.
Son of Alexandr II and father of the last Emperor of the Russian Empire Nicholas II. He ascended the throne on March 13, 1881 after the murder of his father, Alexandr II, by the People's Revolutionaries, and ruled until November 1, 1894.
Alexandr received the traditional military engineering education for grand dukes, but the greatest influence on the tsesarevich was the teacher of law, Konstantin Pobedonostsev. His ideals of government were radically different from his father's: he was based on the ideas of patriarchal-fatherly autocratic rule, the planting of religious values in society, the strengthening of the class structure, national and indigenous social development.
Already on April 29, 1881 Alexandr III issued a manifesto "On the inviolability of autocracy" and launched a series of reforms, which were aimed at a partial curtailment of the liberal initiatives of the father-reformer. The tsar's domestic policy was characterized by the strengthening of the central government's control over all spheres of the state's life. During the reign of Alexandr III the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow (1883) was completed, many new monasteries and temples were built. Also in this period there was economic growth, which was largely due to the policy of increased patronage of domestic industry. The country became the world's largest exporter of agricultural products, rearmed the army and navy.
The most important foreign policy decision of Alexandr III was the alliance with France, which was concluded in 1891-1893.
Alexander III went down in history as the Tsar-Peacemaker - during his reign Russia did not participate in any serious military and political conflict of that time. The only significant battle - the capture of Kushka - occurred in 1885, after which the annexation of Central Asia to Russia was completed.
In general, Alexanr III was characterized by good health, was pious, frugal, modest, spent his leisure time in a narrow family and friends circle. He was interested in music, painting, history. He collected an extensive collection of paintings, decorative and applied arts, sculptures, which after his death was transferred to the Russian Museum founded by Emperor Nicholas II in memory of his father. On November 1, 1894, the emperor died in Livadia (Crimea) from the effects of nephritis.
William Alexander was a British painter, illustrator and printmaker.
He studied painting at the Royal Academy and became a very famous artist. In 1792-1794 he accompanied the official embassy to Peking of Lord George Macartney on behalf of the British government, where he documented the visit and made many drawings of the Chinese court. These depict various mandarins, merchants, members of the royal family and members of Chinese society. In 1805, William Alexander published Costume of China, an album illustrated with 48 color prints, which was a success with the public.
Henry Thomas Alcken was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes. His most prolific period of painting and drawing occurred between 1816 and 1831.
Samuel Alken the Elder was a British painter, printmaker and illustrator.
Samuel Alken studied at the Royal Academy School in London. In 1779 he published A New Book of Ornaments Designed and Engraved by Samuel Alken, and later established himself as one of the most distinguished engravers in the new technique of aquatint. Alken produced magnificent compositions of the British countryside, including moonlit night scenes. His works include engravings by George Morland, Richard Wilson, Thomas Rowlandson, and Francis Wheatley. In 1796 his plates of sixteen views of the lakes of Cumberland and Westmorland, after drawings by John Ames and John Smith, were published, and in 1798 a set of aquatint views of North Wales after drawings by the Rev. Brian Broughton.
His sons, Samuel Alken the Younger (1784-1824), Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851) and Samuel Henry Alken (1810-1894) also became artists.
Samuel Henry Alken the Younger was a British painter.
Samuel Henry Alken was the son of Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851) and grandson of Samuel Alken Senior (1756-1815). Like his father, he usually depicted equestrian sporting scenes, but did so in sets. The most famous of the sets of paintings by Henry Alken, Jr. is a depiction of hunting at Belvoir Castle.
André-Joseph Allar was a French sculptor. He studied at the Schools of Fine Arts in Marseille and Paris with Eugène Guillaume, Antoine Laurent Dantan and Pierre-Jules Cavelier.
André-Joseph Allar is best known for his small works and architectural projects.
August Allebé was an artist and teacher from the Northern Netherlands. His early paintings were in a romantic style, but in his later work he was an exponent of realism and impressionism. He was a major initiator and promoter of Amsterdam Impressionism, the artist's association St. Lucas, and the movement of the Amsterdamse Joffers. Amsterdam Impressionism – sometimes referred to by art historians as the School of Allebé – was the counterflow to the very strong Hague School in the movement of Dutch Impressionism. As a professor at the Royal Academy of Amsterdam (Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten) he fostered a cosmopolitan attitude toward art and the promotion and motivation of his students, and provided a significant stimulus to developments in modern art.
Paul Allen is an American editor, historian, and poet.
He attended Brown University and later moved to Philadelphia, where he was editor of The Port Folio, The Gazette of the United States, and The Federal Republican. Success came to Allen in Baltimore, where he served as editor until his death at the Baltimore Morning Chronicle newspaper. Paul Allen also joined the Delphic Club, and his epic poem Noah (1821) was a success.
William Herbert Allen was an English landscape watercolour artist whose career spanned more than 50 years from the 1880s to the 1940s. He was invariably referred to as «W. H.» rather than by his given name. He produced several thousand watercolours, chalk and pencil sketches mainly of the landscapes, traditions and people of West Surrey and North-east Hampshire. In addition, he produced scenes of other parts of the British Isles and various parts of continental Europe. These works included commissions in Italy for the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dublin, Edinburgh and Preston museums. He was made a member of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1903 and the Royal Society of British Artists in 1904 and his work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1927.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema was a Dutch-British artist renowned for his detailed and romanticized portrayals of ancient civilizations, particularly Rome and Egypt. His meticulous attention to historical accuracy and the lavish representation of marble and luxurious settings distinguished his work. Notably, his fascination with ancient cultures was sparked by his honeymoon visit to Italy and Pompeii, influencing his artistic focus for decades.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema's early work, such as "The Education of the Children of Clovis," showcased his interest in historical subjects and established his reputation. This painting, alongside others like "The Sad Father," demonstrates his commitment to historical detail and narrative depth.
After moving to England due to the Franco-Prussian War and personal reasons, Lawrence Alma-Tadema's career flourished. His works, characterized by their bright palette and refined details, resonated with Victorian audiences, earning him considerable fame and financial success. He was knighted in 1899 and continued to be a pivotal figure in Victorian art, influencing peers and future generations alike.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema's legacy experienced a decline posthumously but saw a resurgence in the 1970s. Today, he is celebrated for his contributions to the Neoclassical and Victorian art movements, with his works featured in prominent collections worldwide, including the Getty Museum and the Tate Gallery.
If you are fascinated by Lawrence Alma-Tadema's artwork and wish to stay updated on sales and auction events related to his works, consider signing up for updates. This will ensure you remain informed about new opportunities to explore and possibly acquire pieces of his illustrious legacy.
