A collection of pieces that speak to me (in no particular order):

First Steps

by Franz Ludwig Catel (ca. 1820-25)

The theme of first steps was common in the years following the French Revolution.

A View near Tivoli (Morning)

By Thomas Cole (1832)

It’ll soon become obvious that I really like the genre of capriccio.

The Calling of Saint Matthew

Caravaggio (1599-1600)

“Jesus saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom house, and said to him, ‘Follow me,’ and Matthew rose and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)

a note on Baroque painting: As opposed to Renaissance art, which usually showed the moment before an event took place, Baroque artists chose the most dramatic point, the moment when the action was occurring. Baroque art was meant to evoke emotion and passion instead of the calm rationality that had been prized during the Renaissance. The Calling of Saint Matthew

Caravaggio (1599-1600)

The Calling of Saint Matthew

By Giovanni Battista Caracciolo (1625-30)

Caracciolo was deeply influenced by Caravaggio.

The Course of Empire

By Thomas Cole (1833-2836)

housed at the New York Historical Society

The Savage State, or The Commencement of Empire ”In this picture, we have the first rudiments of society, Men are banded together for mutual aid in the chase, etc. […] the empire is asserted, although to a limited degree, over sea, land, and the animal kingdom. The season represented is Spring.”

The Simple or Arcadian State ”A village is growing by the shoe, and on the summit of a hill the rude temple has been erected, from which the smoke of sacrifice is now ascending. […] The scene is supposed to be viewed a few hours after sunrise, and in the early Summer.”

The Consummation of Empire ”The conqueror, robed in purple, is mounted in a car drawn by an elephant, and surrounded by captives on foot, and a numerous train of guards, senators, etc. - pictures and golden treasures are carried before him. […] As the triumphal fete would indicate, man has conquered man - nations have been subjugated. This scene is represented as near mid-day, in the early Autumn.”

Destruction ”Ages may have passed since the scene of glory - though the decline of nations is generally more rapid than their rise. […] A barbarous and destroying enemy conquers and sacks the city. Description of this picture is perhaps needless; carnage and destruction are its elements.”

Desolation ”Though man and his works have perished, the steep promontory, with its insulated rock, still rears against the sky unmoved, unchanged. Violence and time have crumbled the works of man, and art is again resolving into elemental nature.”