{"id":14657,"date":"2021-09-23T15:59:06","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T14:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fineart-restoration.co.uk\/?p=14657"},"modified":"2022-11-25T10:09:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T10:09:20","slug":"the-grand-genre-classical-history-painting-restoration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fineart-restoration.co.uk\/news\/the-grand-genre-classical-history-painting-restoration\/","title":{"rendered":"The grand genre: classical history painting restoration"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the hierarchy of genres, as was developed over centuries, the highest form of oil painting depicted historical or allegorical subjects. As epic poetry was upon the highest pedestal of literature, as was the display of epic narratives on canvas. Often referred to as \u2018the grand genre\u2019, history painting established itself through the use of pure imagination and the ability to conjure up otherworldly imagery. This was an entertaining and impressive spectacle, especially for the era in which it was created. History painting was favoured by art critics for its need for creative talent, as well as the aristocracy and royalty of the day, who could use such divine imagery to enhance their own status upon the walls of palaces and stately homes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our easel painting conservators at Fine Art Restoration Company have had experience in restoring history paintings from across centuries from the Renaissance through to modern works. In this article we will look more closely at the themes in this genre and the risks these antique oil paintings may face.<\/span><\/p>\n Before the 19th century, it should be noted that \u2018history\u2019 in this context refers to mostly mythological or literary works. The most common themes come from classical antiquity and the pantheon of gods, whose academic connotations brought a secondary understanding of the painting. As such, a history painting cannot always be taken at face value, as each figure or item may have an association with a specific virtue, sin, mood, or background story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In some paintings allegorical notions overtake any realism, making the narrative almost entirely dependent on subtext. It was assumed that the viewer would know their classics and understand this in-depth genre, this excluded those who did not have the education or artistic analysis to be able to fully understand what they saw, but nonetheless these paintings would have been spectacular to behold.<\/span><\/p>\n Although religious art may also fall under the category of history painting, for the simplicity of this article we will focus on those which depict mythological and classical literary scenes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A selection of famous history paintings are pictured below: Diana and Actaeon<\/em> by Titian (top left), An Allegory of Truth and Time<\/em> by Annibale Carracci (bottom left), Jupiter and Io<\/em> by Correggio (centre left), Venus and Adonis<\/em> by Rubens (centre right top),\u00a0 <\/span>The Intervention of the Sabine Women<\/em> by Jacques-Louis David (centre right bottom),\u00a0 <\/span>Justice and Divine Vengeance Pursuing Crime<\/em> by Pierre-Paul Prud’hon (right top),\u00a0<\/span>Death of Sardanapalus<\/em> by Eug\u00e8ne Delacroix (right bottom)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pictured below in details: A Dance To The Music Of Time by Nicolas Poussin (left), The Origin of the Milky Way<\/em> by Tintoretto (centre left),\u00a0<\/span>The Chimera<\/em> by Gustave Moreau (centre right),\u00a0 <\/span>Perseus Freeing Andromeda<\/em> by Paolo Veronese (right)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are many scenes from classical mythology and epic literature which have been produced time and time again in art history. Many of these popular subjects have a fantastic degree of emotion or intrigue and the artist will often find their own way to present the subject matter, sometimes shifting the focus to produce an original reading and composition. There are many scenes you may come across in history painting, but these are a few to give an idea of their complex nature.<\/span><\/p>\n The story of Venus (also known as Aphrodite) is a common depiction of love, lust, and beauty. Scenes associated with this goddess may be Venus and Adonis, Venus and Vulcan, or the birth of Venus, which many will recognise in Botticelli\u2019s masterpiece of the same name. Each depiction of Venus has different associations depending on how she is presented and who she is with. For example, a scene with Adonis has connotations of unrequited love, but a scene with Vulcan has a theme of infidelity or erotic desire. By contrast, popular scenes of the goddess Diana (or Artemis) have the overriding subtext of her chastity. Diana is often shown hunting a stag, but with classical context this is in fact a man named Actaeon who she has turned into the creature after he spied on her bathing.<\/span><\/p>\nAbove: a detail from Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian (1520-1523)<\/em><\/h6>\n
Above: our team discussing conservation treatments for various artworks requiring restoration<\/em><\/h6>\n
Understanding classical history paintings<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Above: a detail from Entry of Alexander into Babylon by Charles Le Brun (1664)<\/em><\/h6>\n
Above: Primavera by Botticelli is a renaissance masterpiece which uses mythological stories and figures to represent spring, all of the characters in this painting have background stories which give the piece a deeper meaning<\/em><\/h6>\n
Famous classical history paintings<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Popular topics in history paintings<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Above: a detail from The Golden Apple of Discord at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis by Jacob Jordaens (1633)<\/em><\/h6>\n
Above: a detail from Venus and Adonis by Titian (1550)<\/em><\/h6>\n