British 1789-1854 John Martin Gallery His first exhibited subject picture, Sadak in Search of the Waters of Oblivion (now in the St. Louis Art Museum), was hung in the Ante-room of the Royal Academy in 1812, and sold for fifty guineas. It was followed by the Expulsion (1813), Paradise (1813), Clytie (1814), and Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon (1816). In 1821 appeared his Belshazzar's Feast, which excited much favorable and hostile comment, and was awarded a prize of £200 at the British Institution, where the Joshua had previously carried off a premium of £100. Then came the Destruction of Herculaneum (1822), the Creation (1824), the Eve of the Deluge (1841), and a series of other Biblical and imaginative subjects. The Plains of Heaven is thought to reflect his memories of the Allendale of his youth. Martin's large paintings were inspired by "contemporary dioramas or panoramas, popular entertainments in which large painted cloths were displayed, and animated by the skilful use of artificial light. Martin has often been claimed as a forerunner of the epic cinema, and there is no doubt that the pioneer director D. W. Griffith was aware of his work." In turn, the diorama makers borrowed Martin's work, to the point of plagiarism. A 2000-square-foot version of Belshazzar's Feast was mounted at a facility called the British Diorama in 1833; Martin tried, but failed, to shut down the display with a court order. Another diorama of the same picture was staged in New York City in 1835. These dioramas were tremendous successes with their audiences, but wounded Martin's reputation in the serious art world.  Related Paintings of John Martin :. | The Eve of the Deluge | The Seventh Plague | The Eve of the Deluge | The Last Judgement | Joshua Ordering the Sun to Stop in its Course (mk10) |
Related Artists:
gottfrid kallstenius
seated male model, 1887-88. royal academy of fine arts
William Wendt
1865-1946 Wendt believed there are philosophical, metaphysical, and theological foundations as to why humankind creates Art. Art becomes a sign in itself that points ultimately towards higher realities than the art object or process manifests in and through itself, courtesy of the artist's knowledge and free-will. Art is an adoration symbol that links the reality of the artist's vision and dream-state to the principles that are nature. Wendt decades in front of nature. William Wendt found a California at the close of the 19th century which is now lost forever due to the effects of industrialism, consumerism and population density. Wendt believed nature was a manifestation of God, and he viewed himself as nature's faithful interpreter. Thom Gianetto of Edenhurst Gallery, Los Angeles, is a specialist in William Wendt.
CARPIONI, Giulio
Italian painter, Venetian school (1613-1674)