Painting developed later in England than in other European countries. One of the first important periods of English painting was initiated by a German visitor. Hans Holbein the Younger lived in London between 1527 and 1543, and painted wonderful portraits of the rich and famous at the court of King Henry VIII. He had learned from Italian painters – which showed how international the art world was, even at that time, when travelling was slow and difficult. Inspired by Holbein, a school of portrait painters developed in England. But in the 17th and early 18th centuries people of wealth preferred to employ foreign artists.
William Hogarth was among the first Englishmen to develop painting of a national character. “The Graham Children” is a portrait of the children of wealthy parents. Yet he avoided making a stiff, formal composition and showed the young people with charm and wit. But Hogarth is best known for his moral and satirical paintings.
A generation later Sir Joshua Reynolds became the most important member of the English portrait school. His “Lady Elizabeth Delmé and Her Children”, in contrast to Hogarth's painting, is elegant and aristocratic. One of Reynolds’ students was as much a poet as a painter. The mystic William Blake (1757 – 1827) had extraordinary religious dreams and visions, which he expressed in poetry, drawings and paintings.
The English made their greatest contribution to art in landscape painting. In the following works: John Constable's “A View of Salisbury Cathedral” and J.M.W. Turner's “The Grand Canal, Venice”. We can’t, but notice the brilliance of light on buildings and water and the great freedom in use of colour. This use of light and colour was carried much further by artists of the late 19th century.
The 20th century was an extremely busy and exciting time for British painting. In the 1950s and 60s, Britain was in many ways a very fashionable place: British pop music and clothes were big news all over the world. The visual arts also joined in this successful piece of marketing. Pop art in particular caught the imagination of young people. For some years now, young British artists seem to have given up the traditional form of drawing, painting and sculpture. At exhibitions we can see photos, videos, constructions with light and sounds. Art prizes often reward originality rather than old-fashioned taste and skill.
British architecture is closely connected with European styles. There is a proverb: “An Englishman’s home is his castle”. Apart from some ancient churches, the oldest in Britain are castles. They are dotted all over the country, with many beautiful examples in Scotland and Wales. The Tower of London (1078) is probably the most famous one.
Since the Middle Ages, architecture in Britain has been based on three major styles: Gothic, classical and modern. The great early cathedrals and churches are in Gothic style – tall, with pointed arches and highly decorated; they are covered with sculptures of people, animals and plants. The tallest spire in Britain, at Salisbury Cathedral, is 123 meters high and was built in the 1330s.
After the Gothic period, architectural fashion looked back to the classical age of Greece and Rome. Rich aristocrats built huge and impressive houses and palaces surrounded by parkland.
The 20th century became the triumph of modern style. For the first time in the history, architects are free to make almost any shapes they like.
Words:
| painting court wealth stiff generation contribution in particular drawing to join exhibition to reward castle to be dotted spire arch | õóäîæåñòâåííîå èñêóññòâî äâîð áîãàòñòâî æåñòêèé ïîêîëåíèå âêëàä â ÷àñòíîñòè ðèñóíîê ïðèñîåäèíÿòüñÿ âûñòàâêà íàãðàæäàòü çàìîê áûòü óñåÿííûì øïèëü àðêà |
Tasks for the discussion: