19th Century Art Archives

One Day in June (ca. 1880-1885)

William Thomas Smedley (American, 1858–1920)

A woman pauses mid-step, her skirts brushing the cobblestones. Sunlight slants across the street, casting long shadows behind her. The air hums with quiet energy—an ordinary moment suspended, heavy with unspoken stories.
La Lecon

Fanny Fleury (French, 1846–1923)

A young woman leans forward, her gaze intent on the book before her. The soft light catches the folds of her dress, the quiet intensity of learning etched in her posture. A moment suspended between instruction and understanding.
A Young Girl In A Garden (1884)

Alfred Augustus Glendening (English, unknown)

A girl stands among tangled blooms, her white dress catching the sunlight. The garden hums around her—lush greens, scattered petals, the quiet weight of summer air. She seems both part of the scene and separate from it, poised between childhood and something just beyond.
Portrait de Madame de Lorgeril (1902)

Henri Gervex (French, 1852–1929)

A woman in black lace gazes past the viewer, her gloved hand resting lightly on a chair. The soft glow of her pearl necklace contrasts with the dark fabric, hinting at restrained elegance. There’s a quiet tension in her posture—neither fully present nor entirely distant.
Gute Nachrichten (1890)

Max Volkhart (German, 1848–1924)

A woman leans forward, lips parted mid-whisper, clutching a letter. The folds of her dress catch the light as she shares urgent news—her companion’s face tenses, fingers frozen above the embroidery hoop. A single candle flickers between them, casting long shadows across the patterned rug.
Admiring the porcelain (1885)

Édouard Frédéric Wilhelm Richter (French, 1844–1913)

A woman leans in, eyes tracing the delicate curves of a porcelain vase. Her fingers hover just above its surface, as if afraid to break the spell. The soft light catches the glaze, turning it luminous under her gaze.
Examples of Chinese ornament, Pl.37 (1867)

Owen Jones

Intricate patterns weave across the page—delicate florals, swirling vines, and geometric precision. A glimpse into ornamental traditions, where every curve and line holds purpose. The designs breathe with life, balancing symmetry and organic flow.
Natural History (Galerya obrazowa zwiérząt czyli Historya naturalna) Pl.56 (1839)

Anton Benedikt Reichenbach (German, 1804–1877)

A meticulous engraving of animals, their forms etched with precision—each line alive with texture and movement. The creatures seem poised between science and art, frozen yet pulsing with life.
Rue de Jouy le Comte (probably 1880)

Auguste Louis Lepère (French, 1849–1918)

Dappled sunlight filters through the trees onto a quiet country road. The loose brushstrokes suggest a breeze rustling through the leaves, while the muted greens and earthy tones evoke the warmth of a rural afternoon. A simple path invites you to wander deeper into the scene.