Timeline · 1800–1809

The 1800s

The 1800s (1800–1809) fall within a century of upheaval — Romanticism, Realism, and the Impressionist revolution. Across these years the gallery holds 4,672 public-domain artworks, with Romanticism the decade's dominant movement (3,000 works) and Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin among its most prolific hands.

Exemplar works

Movements active in the 1800s

Looking for named art-historical periods instead? Browse periods.

Artists active in the 1800s

Artists born in the 1800s

Artist groups founded in the 1800s

On this decade

1801 Born

Born this day: Thomas Cole

Thomas Cole, born on February 1, 1801, was a pivotal American artist and founder of the Hudson River School movement, known for his romantic and allegoric landscapes that…

He remains a significant figure in American art history, influencing generations of landscape painters with his unique blend of European…

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1806 Died

Died this day: Jean Honoré Fragonard

Jean Honoré Fragonard, a French painter, died on August 22, 1806. He was a prominent figure in the Rococo style, known for his delicate and playful works, such as 'Young Girl…

Fragonard's legacy lies in his captivating and elegant representations of 18th-century French life and culture.

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1806 Born

Born this day: Francis William Edmonds

Francis William Edmonds, born on November 22, 1806, was an American artist known for his humorous and relatable genre paintings, such as The New Bonnet and Taking the Census. He…

Edmonds' work continues to offer insightful and charming portrayals of 19th-century American life.

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1801 Died

Died this day: Ralph Earl

Ralph Earl was an American artist known for his landscape paintings and numerous portraits, capturing the essence of his time through his work. He is notable for pieces such as…

Ralph Earl's portraits and landscapes remain significant in American art history.

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1807 Born

Born this day: William Sidney Mount

William Sidney Mount, born on November 26, 1807, was a 19th-century American genre painter who chronicled rural life on Long Island, achieving fame in the U.S. and Europe for his…

He remains the first native-born American artist to specialize in genre painting, leaving a lasting impact on American art.

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1805 Died

Died this day: Matthew Pratt

Matthew Pratt, an American artist associated with academic art, is known for his calm and pastel-colored works, often depicting real people in everyday settings. His most famous…

Matthew Pratt's legacy lies in his contributions to American art, particularly in his ability to bring a sense of realism and tranquility…

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1803 Died

Died this day: Adélaïde Labille-Guiard

Adélaïde Labille-Guiard was a French miniaturist and portrait painter who advocated for equal opportunities for women in the arts. She was a trailblazer as one of the first women…

Her legacy continues to inspire generations of female artists with her pioneering achievements in a male-dominated field.

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1806 Born

Born this day: Antonio María Esquivel

Antonio María Esquivel, a Spanish Romantic painter, was born on March 8, 1806. He is known for his portraits, which showcase his skill in capturing the essence of his subjects.…

Esquivel's portraits remain significant examples of Spanish Romantic painting.

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1804 Died

Died this day: Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo was an Italian painter and printmaker, son of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, known for his work in etching and contributions to 18th-century Italian art. His…

He remains a significant figure in the history of Italian art, building upon his family's artistic legacy.

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1807 Died

Died this day: Angelica Kauffmann

Angelica Kauffmann, a Swiss painter, had a successful career in London and Rome, excelling as a history painter, portraitist, landscape, and decoration painter. She was a founding…

Angelica Kauffmann's legacy is marked by her trailblazing role as a female artist in 18th-century Europe.

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1808 Died

Died this day: Hubert Robert

Hubert Robert was a French painter in the Romanticism school, known for his landscape paintings and capricci of Italian and French ruins, as seen in works like The Swing and…

He remains a notable figure in the development of Romantic landscape painting.

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1803 Born

Born this day: Alexandre Gabriel Decamps

Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps, born on March 3, 1803, was a French painter known for his captivating Orientalist works, which showcased his unique perspective on Eastern cultures. His…

Decamps' contributions to the Orientalist movement continue to influence artists and art enthusiasts today.

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