Timeline · 1850–1859

The 1850s

The 1850s (1850–1859) fall within a century of upheaval — Romanticism, Realism, and the Impressionist revolution. Across these years the gallery holds 11,836 public-domain artworks, with Realism the decade's dominant movement (4,163 works) and Honoré Daumier among its most prolific hands.

Exemplar works

Movements active in the 1850s

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

Artists active in the 1850s

Artists born in the 1850s

Artist groups founded in the 1850s

On this decade

1852 Landmark

New Hermitage Opens to the Public

On 5 February 1852, the New Hermitage in Saint Petersburg opened to the public, transforming part of the Romanov imperial collection from courtly privilege into a public museum…

The Hermitage became one of the defining public art museums of Europe.

What else happened that day

1851 Died

Died this day: Joseph Mallord William Turner

British artist Joseph Mallord William Turner, born in 1775, was a prolific painter known for his captivating landscapes and seascapes, which often featured dramatic light and…

Turner's innovative and expressive style continues to influence artists and art lovers to this day.

What else happened that day

1856 Died

Died this day: Thomas Doughty

Thomas Doughty, a prominent American artist, is known for his landscapes that often blended realism with romanticism, as seen in works like 'Fanciful Landscape' and 'View on the…

Thomas Doughty's landscapes remain significant in the history of American art for their contribution to the Hudson River School movement.

What else happened that day

1857 Died

Died this day: Antonio María Esquivel

Antonio María Esquivel, a Spanish Romantic painter, was known for his portraits that captured the essence of his subjects. His work, such as 'The Contemporary Poets' and 'Retrato…

He remains a notable figure in Spanish Romantic painting, particularly in the realm of portraiture.

What else happened that day

1855 Born

Born this day: Cecilia Beaux

Cecilia Beaux, born on May 1, 1855, was a renowned American portrait artist known for her elegant and sensitive depictions of Gilded Age patrons and famous figures. Her work was…

She remains a significant figure in American art history, celebrated for her contributions to portrait painting and art education.

What else happened that day

1856 Born

Born this day: John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent, born on January 12, 1856, was a renowned American expatriate artist celebrated for his captivating portraits of luxury and elegance during the Belle Époque…

He remains the leading portrait painter of his generation, known for his exceptional ability to evoke the essence of his subjects.

What else happened that day

1853 Born

Born this day: Vincent van Gogh

On March 30, 1853, Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh was born, leaving an indelible mark on Western art with his bold, expressive works, including landscapes and…

Van Gogh's innovative style and emotional depth continue to influence modern art.

What else happened that day

1856 Born

Born this day: Anna Elizabeth Klumpke

Anna Elizabeth Klumpke, an American portrait and genre painter, was born on October 28, 1856. She is known for her portraits of notable women, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and…

Anna Elizabeth Klumpke's portraits remain a significant contribution to the representation of women in art history.

What else happened that day

1858 Born

Born this day: Charles Frederick Ulrich

American artist Charles Frederick Ulrich was born on October 18, 1858. He is known for his captivating depictions of glassblowing scenes, such as Glass Blowers of Murano, which…

Ulrich's legacy lies in his ability to convey the beauty and intimacy of industrial scenes through his captivating and quietly powerful…

What else happened that day

1859 Born

Born this day: Henry Ossawa Tanner

Henry Ossawa Tanner, born on June 21, 1859, was a pioneering American artist who achieved international recognition, particularly in France where he spent most of his career. His…

He remains the first African-American painter to gain widespread international acclaim.

What else happened that day

1853 Died

Died this day: Sarah Goodridge

American artist Sarah Goodridge, known for her exquisite miniatures on ivory, spent her life in Boston, self-taught and devoted to her craft. Her portraits, often set against…

She remains a notable figure in American art for her innovative and intimate miniature portraits.

What else happened that day

1859 Born

Born this day: Georges Seurat

Georges Seurat, a French post-Impressionist artist, was born on December 2, 1859. He is known for developing techniques like chromoluminarism and pointillism, and his iconic work,…

Seurat's innovative techniques and large-scale works, like La Grande Jatte, continue to influence the development of modern art.

What else happened that day