The Most Famous Portraits of the 18th Century

The 18th century was an exciting time in both the world's affairs and in art. It was a time that saw many radical changes in the structures and beliefs of society. These changes included the beginning of the industrial revolution, the scientific enlightenment, and the end of slavery. The world of art also saw many changes during this period. During this time, artists began moving away from traditional methods held in place for centuries and started to gravitate towards more romantic and abstract imaginings. However, despite the rapid changes happening all around, the tradition of portrait painting during the 18th century remained at the height of popularity. During this century, portrait painting is said to have reached its pinnacle and produced some of the best works the genre has ever seen. The following is a look into some of the most famous portrait paintings and the artists who painted them.

Napoleon Crossing The Alps by Jacqes Louis David

Jacques Louis David was a French Neoclassical painter. He is considered by many as the greatest painter of his era, who depicted many historically significant works during his lifetime. His collection of paintings includes some of the most important events in French history, from the French revolution to the reign of Napoleon. David's exquisite body of work is also seen as one of the precursors of the Romanticism movement that took over art in the latter half of the 18th century. These included incredibly dramatized works from mythology and, of course, portraiture. David was one of the first painters to incorporate dramatized and stylized characteristics into his portrait paintings. His work depicting the French leader Napoleon is the perfect example of this. David painted many paintings from important moments in the French General's life. In Napoleon Crossing The Alps, Napoleon is depicted as akin to a God or a Superhero. This fantastic portrait piece is undoubtedly one of the most famous and iconic portraits in history, let alone the 18th century.

The Painter's Daughters Chasing a Butterfly by Thomas Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough was an English Romanticist painter and printmaker. Alongside Jacques Louis David, he is considered one of the finest and most prolific painters of the 18th century. He is globally recognized for his sprawling landscape paintings and famous portraits. Known as both a classically adept painter and, at the same time, imaginative and experimental, Gainsborough's work can be seen as one of the first jumps away from classical models and moving toward modern movements, therefore making him one of the first modern painters. Much of his artwork also has a fairytale-like impression, bordering on fantasy and fable. The characters in his portrait paintings are colorful and full of personality. He adored painting children and often used them in his portraits. The portrait of the Painter's Daughters Chasing a Butterfly is hauntingly beautiful and dreamlike. It captures both your heart and your imagination at the same time.

Jane, Countess of Harrington by Sir Joshua Reynolds

Sir Joshua Reynolds was another famous 18th-century English painter specializing in portrait paintings. Like Gainsborough, Reynold's artwork is considered the epitome of what 18th-century painting stood for. It is grounded in the classic Realism of the past, yet it also has a dreamlike fantasy element that would become the driving force for the movements of the 19th century. Reynold's paintings are slightly more steeped in Realism than Gainsborough's, as Reynolds adopted what is known as "Grand Style" to his work. Grand Style is a term that gained popularity during the Renaissance and applies ideas of grandeur, nobleness, and deity to its composition. Jane, Countess of Harrington, is the prime example of these ideals. However, you could look at Reynold's portraits and see this too. The Countess is depicted as a Greek Goddess in the painting. Her posture and stance imply divine power and control over inner and outer nature.

Woman's Head by Francois Boucher

French painter Francois Boucher is arguably the most accomplished and celebrated painter of the 18th century and one of the most established painters of the century. Boucher's work can be seen as the catalyst of the Rococo movement. The Rococo or Late Baroque style, as it is also known, was a movement focused on lavish decoration, a theatrical style, and pastel colors. Boucher's work is a combination of theatrical narratives and fine details. On top of his grand narrative masterpieces, he also painted many famous art portraits. These included both real-life and mythological renderings. Woman's Head is one of his softer and more subtle works. It is one of many portraits of women Boucher painted and was a subject close to his heart.

Charles IV of Spain and His Family by Francisco Goya

Spanish painter Francisco Goya is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential painters of all time. His anti-war paintings alone are regarded as the first of their kind and influenced many painters in their legacy. His dark paintings during his late career also changed modern artists' psychology. Despite being known for his influential legacy, Goya also enjoyed success as a portrait painter. His family art portraits include some of the most important Spanish figures of the time. Goya also worked as the court painter for the King of Spain and painted many portraits for him and his family. The family portrait of King Charles IV of Spain and His Family is among Goya's most famous portraits. The portrait includes the royal family and Goya in the background. Technically painted in 1800, it is the last major portrait painting from the 18th century. It is also controversial, as many believe Goya painted it as a mockery of the Royal Family.

These are just a few of the most famous art portraits from the era of the 18th century. The 18th century is one of the essential periods in all of art. The paintings from this time act as both a memory of the past and the imagination of the future. Their beauty and elegance are undeniable.