Paintings from the 19th and 20th century

The early 19th century is also known as the ‘Romantic era’. This is an artistic and intellectual movement that started in Europe towards the end of the 18th century and peaked between 1800 and 1850. The second half of the 19th century is sometimes also referred to as the ‘late Romantic era’. Paintings gradually became more realistic and naturalistic.

Romanticism is characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism, as well as glorification of the past and of nature. This movement was a reaction to Rationalism and the Industrial Revolution. Imagination and subjective expression are characteristic for fine art from this era. Reality was represented in an idealized way and nature was experienced as animated

In comparison with romantic paintings by German and French artists, the Dutch paintings are often described as more realistic, or modest. “The Dutch landscape provides enough romanticism!”, according to several important Dutch artists who were active during the first half of the 19th century.

The 20th century can be seen as the era of modern art, where the traditional, realistic painting is abandoned and in which painting gradually develops towards abstraction.

This website shows a selection of oil paintings and water colours by (small) masters of the 19th and 20th century. The emphasis is on Dutch artists who were active during the 19th century, like Constant Artz, Johannes Warnardus Bilders, Joseph Hartogenis, Bernard de Hoog, Jacobus Franciscus  Hoppenbrouwers, Willem Cornelis Rip, Johannes Tavenraat and Jan Hendrik Weissenbruch.

Hope you’ll enjoy exploring this website and please let me know if you have questions or remarks!