Europe is home to a variety of different cultures and art forms. The continent has given birth to such famous and respected artists as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Auguste Rodin among many others.
Europe is also home to many lesser-known artists who have contributed to the European art market as well as the global one. Instead of being passed over or ignored, their works have been brought into the limelight with the recent surge in interest in Europe’s rich artistic heritage.
Medieval Art Works from Europe
Medieval art set the foundation for the European art scene and continues to have an impact even today. The artworks of the medieval period come in countless forms and are widely represented in religious art forms.
However, this period also produced some great secular artworks as well. One of the most fascinating aspects of medieval art is the influence of the cultures and religions that the artworks are inspired by. During the medieval period, it saw the rise of many different religions and cultures.
As a result, medieval artworks from Europe are a great way of exploring a variety of different art forms. Many medieval artworks are still considered to be of great significance even today.
Dutch Masters
The Golden Age of Dutch Painting spans from the mid-16th to the late 18th century. During this period, many great Dutch painters came to prominence. Among them were Jan van Goyen, Willem Kalf, Johannes Bosboom and Gerrit van der Sman.
Among the artists who made the most impact, though, was Rembrandt van Rijn. While Rembrandt van Rijn is known for his great works in various other genres such as portraiture, his artworks in the field of Dutch painting are often overlooked. One of his most popular works in this domain is ‘The Jewish Bride’ which is often compared to ‘The Mona Lisa’.
Baroque Art Works from Europe
The Baroque art period in Europe was a natural extension of the Golden Age of Dutch Painting and thus greatly influenced the artworks from this period. The period was characterised by an emphasis on natural phenomena, classicism, vibrant colours, movement and symmetry.
While many great painters like Rubens, Murillo, van Dyck and many others were associated with the Baroque period, its popularity waned by the end of the 18th century. This period, though, is still regarded as a high point in the European art scene.
The Baroque artworks from Europe that you should check out include paintings such as ‘The Descent from the Cross’ by Christopher van der Aa, ‘The Absorption of the Cross’ by Antonis van Dyck, ‘The Crowning of the Virgin’ by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, ‘The Entombment’ by Albrecht Dürer and ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus’ by Claude Lorrain.
Impressionism Art Works from Europe
Impressionism was an art movement that emerged in France towards the end of the 19th century. The movement was characterised by the use of natural colours, a desire to depict the world around the artists as faithfully as possible and an emphasis on the role of the artist in creating artworks.
The Impressionist artworks from Europe that you might want to check out include paintings such as ‘Monet’s Garden at Giverny’, ‘Interior of the Artist’s Studio at Giverny’ and ‘Impression, Sunrise’ by Claude Monet.
Spanish and Portuguese Masters
If you love artworks that depict landscapes and still life, the Spanish and Portuguese artworks are a good bet for you. This is because the two countries are widely considered to be the homes of the European landscape tradition. Many of the greatest painters in the history of the two countries like Goya, Velasquez and Rembrandt are well-known for their artworks in this domain.
The Spanish and Portuguese artworks from Europe that you may want to look out for include paintings such as ‘Las Meninas’ by Diego Velasquez, ‘The Adoration of the Shepherds by Michelangelo and ‘The Concert’ by Johannes Vermeer.
Belgian and German Expressionist Art Works from Europe
If you love artworks that portray intense emotions like pain, longing and beauty, the Belgian and German Expressionist artworks are a good bet. This is because the two countries have been widely regarded as the bastions of German art.
The Belgian and German Expressionist artworks from Europe that you should look out for include paintings such as ‘Woman in Front of Open Window’ by Paul Delvaux, ‘Self-Portrait with Pipe’ by Otto Dix, ‘Der Sturm’ by Paul Klee and ‘Wild Horses’ by Emil Nolde.
Conclusion
Europe is a vast continent with a rich history and culture. The continent has produced some of the world’s greatest artists and artworks. If you are interested in exploring the continent’s rich culture and art forms, you should check out these lesser-known artworks.
