Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans - The Burial of San Sebastián [1877]

Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans - The Burial of San Sebastián [1877], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

This painting illustrates the story of the martyrdom and burial of San Sebastián. The overhead lighting that the artist used produces a sinister, but effectively gloomy atmosphere while illuminating the core group of the composition. The modelling of the figures using a strong classical influence gives the scene a greater solemnity. The work won the first medal at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1878.

[Museo del Prado, Madrid - Oil on canvas, 305 x 430 cm]

Ivan Shishkin - The Field of Wheat [1878]

Ivan Shishkin - The Field of Wheat [1878], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

[Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow - Oil on canvas, 107 x 187 cm]

Jan Lievens - Vanitas Still Life [c.1620-30]

Jan Lievens - Vanitas Still Life [c.1620-30], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

[Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam - Oil on panel, 91 x 120 cm]

N. L. Peschier - Vanitas [1661]

N. L. Peschier - Vanitas [1661], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr. 

N. L. Peschier was a Netherlandish painter, active between 1659 and 1661.

[Philadelphia Museum of Art - Oil on canvas, 80 x 101.6 cm]

Sebastiano Conca - The Idolatry of Solomon [c.1750]

Sebastiano Conca - The Idolatry of Solomon [c.1750], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Sebastiano Conca (Gaeta, January 8, 1680 - Naples, September 1, 1764) was an Italian painter. In about 1710, Conca established his Accademia del Nudo, which attracted many followers from Italy and abroad. Pompeo Batoni was among its pupils, and engravers there disseminated Conca's style across Europe through their prints. Conca twice served as director of Rome's Accademia di San Luca. In 1739 he wrote the Ammonimenti, a theoretical work containing moral and artistic precepts for young men intending to become painters. Upon returning to Naples around 1752, he created dazzling illusionistic frescoes and canvases.

[Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid - Oil on canvas, 54 x 71 cm]

Studio of Canaletto - Saint Pietro In Castello, Venice [c.1734-42]

Studio of Canaletto - Saint Pietro In Castello, Venice [c.1734-42], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

This is a view of the late 16th century façade of the church of St. Pietro in Castello, which was until 1807 the cathedral church of Venice; after that date this distinction was passed to St. Marco. The building between the church and its campanile is the patriarchal palace. On the right can be seen the Ponte di S. Pietro.

[National Gallery, London - Oil on canvas, 46.4 x 77.5 cm]

Gaspar de Crayer - Roman Charity [1620-30]

Gaspar de Crayer - Roman Charity [1620-30], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Gaspar de Crayer (Antwerp, November 18, 1582 - Ghent, January 27, 1669) was a Flemish painter. Crayer was one of the most productive yet one of the most conscientious artists of the later Flemish school, second to Rubens in vigour and below Van Dyck in refinement, but nearly equalling both in most of the essentials of painting. His pictures abound in the churches and museums of Brussels and Ghent; and there is scarcely a country chapel in Flanders or Brabant that cannot offer one or more of his canvases.

[Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid - Oil on canvas, 198 x 144 cm]