Ten National Gallery Masterpieces Quiz

Answer: An Allegory with Venus and Cupid

Born Agnolo di Cosimo in 1503, he was the adopted son of Pontormo. Historians are uncertain as why di Cosimo started to refer to himself as Agnolo Bronzino, they strongly believe that it had to do with his dark olive complexion.

One thing is certain and that is that Bronzino tried very hard to express himself as an artist, in much the same manner that Pontormo expressed himself with his rendition of Joseph in Egypt, which is on display at the National Gallery. But Bronzino soon realized that his talents could be better expressed in portrait style renditions.

While he tried very hard to imitate his idols, Raphael and Michelangelo, he soon realized that he was lacking the intense feelings that they expressed so freely in their work. Agnolo's expressiveness is fully shown in all its beauty with the nude, and is fully recognized in "An Allegory with Venus and Cupid."

Answer: The Arnolfini Marriage

Jan van Eyck is believed by most historians to be the most innovative Flemish painter of his time. There are some who believe that van Eyck invented the use of oil for painting, but this been proven as incorrect by van Eyck historians; although he is credited with perfecting the technique.

His total attention to detail can thoroughly been seen in the "The Arnolfini Marriage"(Alternately titled "Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife"), and is done with unrelenting accuracy.

Answer: Lord John Stuart and his Brother, Lord Bernard Stuart

Sir Anthony van Dyck was born in 1599, and is credited with being the greatest Flemish painter of the seventeenth century. In 1609, he began an apprenticeship with Henrick van Balen, and was considered to be exceptionally gifted in his descriptive style of painting. He closely studied with, and assisted, Peter Paul Rubens; but is not considered to have been his apprentice, as he was painting long before he associated himself with Rubens. Although there is evidence that Rubens influenced his style, van Dyck's paintings lack the energy that abounds in Rubens' pieces.

In 1638, the style of van Dyck's paintings took on a new meaning when he brought to the world a vision of a proper English gentleman. His portrait of "Lord John Stuart and his brother, Lord Bernard Stuart" shows that the brothers are relaxed in their poses, and shows the softness in the brothers' attire. Historians believe that the pair of softly painted kid gloves, which dangle freely from Lord Bernard's left hand, have help establish to the world the vision of a well mannered and good natured Englishman.

Answer: Pope Julius II

Born Raffaello Sanzio in Italy on April 6, 1483, he became a master painter and architect of Italian Renaissance. Raphael historians consider his paintings to be truly remarkable, because they have the free style of life etched with every stroke of his brush.

The power of his interpretations lifts the heart, body, and soul. With his painting of "Pope Julius II," he emphasizes the forlorn look of Julius, while at the same time capturing what some believe is a violent tendency in the Pope.

Answer: Whistlejacket

George Stubbs was born in 1724, and is most noted for his rendition of animal portraits. He captures the full beauty of his subjects with every stroke of his brush.

Whistlejacket was birthed in 1749, and had Arabian blood flowing through his entire being from his sire and his dam. According to historians, Whistlejacket was purchased by Rockingham sometime during the 1750s. The beautiful stallion is most recognized for his four-mile 2,000 guinea race in 1759. The portrait of Whistlejacket, that is on display in the National Gallery, was to have been a portrait painting of King George III, although historians have not been able to determine why Stubbs decided to paint the King's horse rather than paint the King himself. But whatever the reason, there is no denying the feelings that are evidenced when gazing upon Whistlejacket in all his glory.

Answer: Venus and Mars

Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi was born in Florence, Italy in 1445. Historians have failed to determine exactly when he started using the name Sandro Botticelli. However, one thing is clear, and that is his style with a brush has left its mark on the art world. His sensual and determined nature clearly shows through in his detailed painting of "Venus and Mars."

Answer: Samson and Delilah

Peter Paul Rubens was born on June 28, 1577, and his religious upbringing is clearly evidenced in his painting. Rubens' father, a Calvinist Antwerp lawyer moved his family to Germany in 1568, to get away from the religious struggle that swayed his family.

After the death of his father in 1587, the family returned to Antwerp, where Peter Paul Rubens was raised as a Roman Catholic and received his early training as an artist and a courtier. His painting of a sleeping Samson being betrayed by Delilah, is heartfelt and sincere.

When looking at the painting, you can see the immense detail that he took when creating the perfect picture of a man that has been forsaken.

Answer: The Cornfield

John Constable's painting of "The Cornfield," shows a view of Fen Lane, which was very near to his birth place of East Bergholt. His fine attention to detail enables the person that views this painting to have a very real impression that the small boy is actually drinking from the flowing stream. The minute detailing of a small countryside house in the far background of the painting shows that even items that rest further beyond the eyes had his complete and undivided attention.

The Cornfield was the first painting of Constable to enter a British public collection. This beautiful work of art was purchased by public subscription from his estate at the time of his death in 1837. Although "The Cornfield" is a Constable masterpiece and completely captures the beauty of an English countryside on a beautiful summer's day, his most recognized piece is The Haywain.

Answer: Saint Jerome in the Wilderness

Durer historians believe that his painting of Saint Jerome was based upon his personal journey from his home in Nuremberg to Venice, in which he crossed over the fearful mountain ranges of the Alps; so that he could see for himself the breathtaking art that was housed in Italy.

Answer: Belshazzar's Feast

Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606. His father had always dreamed of his son following in his footsteps as a Miller, but Rembrandt was drawn into the world of art. Against his father's wishes, Rembrandt enrolled in the University of Leiden's art program. While at the university, he was influenced by the works of many great Italian painters, but none of them, except for one, had an impact on the gifted man. Rembrandt idolized Caravaggio, and hoped that one day he could paint as well as he.

By 1631, Rembrandt's work had become well known, and he decided to move to Amsterdam. In Holland, he was the leading portrait painter and received numerous requests for portraits, as well as being commissioned for paintings of a religious nature.

In 1636, he started to create more quieter scenes with a new warmth of color. Rembrandt historians consider The Company of Captain Frans Cocq, also known as The Night Watch, to be the most inventive piece he created.

Dutch painter, Jozef Israels once said that Rembrandt is "the true type of artist, free, untrammeled by traditions."

The information about the descriptions of the paintings came from "Masterpieces from the National Gallery: A Souvenir Guide."

While all information on the artists and direct quotes can be found at http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/

This is dedicated to a very special person who took time to get to know me, and for that I thank him.