19th Century Oil Paintings: Key Artists, Styles, and Techniques

Painting can be traced back hundreds of years when humans used naturally occurring pigments to draw images on cave walls. In the 1800s, while the world was experiencing rapid social and technological changes, the art world was also transforming. From the grand historical paintings of Neoclassicism to the vivid brushstrokes of impressionism, 19th-century oil paintings played a pivotal role in shaping modern art.

Different artists became famous for their works during the 19th century. Besides their paintings defining the movements they were a part of, they also influenced future generations of artists.

● Jacques-Louis David was known for his large-scale Neoclassical works like Death of Socrates (1787) and Oath of the Horatii (1784). His influence extended beyond painting into the political realm, as he was closely associated with the French Revolution.

Claude Monet, a leading figure in impressionism, was known for his explorations of light, color, and atmosphere. His Impressions, Sunrise (1872), and Water Lilies series transformed perceptions of how landscapes and scenes of daily life could be represented.

 Vincent van Gogh experienced many personal challenges, ranging from physical to emotional, and during his lifetime, he went unrecognized. After his demise, his Post-Impressionist works, such as Starry Night (1889) and Sunflowers (1888), came to light and are now considered some of the most influential paintings in Western art history.

Different artists used different materials and techniques which explains the distinct end product of an individual's work. Since it was at this period where there were advancements in chemistry, it led to the creation of new pigments, expanding the color palette available to artists. Brighter, synthetic colors like cobalt blue, cadmium yellow and emerald green replaced traditional earth tones. As this range of colors became more available, artists experimented with more lifelike depictions of light and atmosphere.

Linseed oil, one of the core mediums, remained the primary pigment binder, but artists experimented with various mediums to achieve numerous effects. To create a glossy, luminous surface, painters mixed varnishes or resins with oil paint. Others embraced a matte finish to display the granulated reality of their objects.

Different artists applied oil paint in varying manners to achieve different finishes. Neoclassical painters used precise, controlled brushstrokes to achieve a smooth, polished finish. On the other hand, Romantic painters used more fluid, expressive brushwork to intensify the emotional intensity of their scenes.

The Impressionists were more daring and took brushwork to new levels of experimentation. They could suggest the shifting qualities of light and atmosphere using short, quick strokes of unmixed color. This technique was called “broken color”, and it became a distinguishing feature of the movement that allowed viewers to engage dynamically with the painting.

The Exposition Universelle, which was a series of international exhibitions held in Paris, influenced art and the artists in a number of ways. The exhibitions aimed at showcasing the technological advancements at the time, cultural achievements, and artistic developments. It also gave artists from across the globe a chance to present their work to an international audience.

In the Exposition Universelle of 1867, East Asian art, especially Japanese woodblock prints [2] (ukiyo-e), was introduced to Western audiences. The style, which was composed of flat colors and asymmetry of Japanese prints, deeply influenced artists like Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet. This influence, which was known as Japonisme, made these artists to experiment with new perspectives, patterns, and simpler forms in their oil paintings.

Painters like James McNeill Whistler gained international exposure by participating in these events. The exhibitions also attracted art collectors and patrons who aided in establishing the careers of many painters at the time.

When photography began to capture reality with a high level of accuracy, artists were faced with a new question. What role should painting play in the age of mechanical reproduction? To avoid being replaced by photography, oil painting evolved by exploring new creative possibilities that photography could not easily replicate.

Since photography quickly assumed the role of documenting the real world with precision, painters were forced to explore more expressive, symbolic, and imaginative ways. Gustave Courbet, for example, placed a greater emphasis on emotional depth and social context, a feature photography lacked.

Photographers' use of cropping and framing also influenced how painters thought about composition. Painters then began experimenting with perspectives, angles, and lighting that mimicked the effects seen in photographs. This can be seen in how Claude Monet and Edgar Degas used light and movement.

In the 19th century, painting moved from traditional academic styles to more experimental and expressive ones. Movements like Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism broke away from the idealized subjects of previous centuries, focusing on emotion, everyday life, and the effects of light and color.

Influential artists behind the 19th century oil paintings include Jacques-Louis David, Eugène Delacroix, Jean-François Millet, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh. All of these artists participated in shaping the significant movements of the time and left a lasting impact on the development of modern art.

● Neoclassicism: This movement was inspired by the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasized order, harmony, and idealized forms, and Jacques-Louis David was a key figure.

● Romanticism: This focused on emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature, and artists like Eugène Delacroix and J.M.W. Turner were the central characters.

● Impressionism: Pioneered by Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, impressionism emphasized capturing fleeting moments, light, and color.