Paintings gallery: For those who do not like maps but loves paintings

An engraving created by French artist Charles Méryon in 1854. This work is the central and most popular piece in his series "Etchings of Paris." The artist uses etching and drypoint techniques to masterfully convey the details and architectural grandeur of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

His skillful play of light and shadow creates a truly Gothic scene. Stark black birds against a white sky, the shadows of ominous clouds, solitary figures—this atmosphere is tense and dynamic. The artwork seems to have a life of its own, existing independently of the viewer.

Fun fact: the artist did not choose the technique by chance. He suffered from color blindness, and the monochrome palette allowed him to express emotion without using color.

An astonishing work by the artist August Heinrich, created during the final years of his life and executed in the Romantic style. At the center of the composition are the majestic Bavarian Alps, surrounded by snow-covered hills. His works often reflected the artist’s emotional state. In this piece, we can sense calm, a yearning for silence, and a certain solitude.

Pastel tones, a detailed yet simultaneously sparse landscape that leaves room for imagination. The artist uses minimal color resources to achieve maximum effect. A truly masterful work.

Fun fact: on the reverse side of the piece, there is a sketch of the Church of St. Bartholomew on Lake Königssee, which indicates the artist’s travels in the region and his fascination with the surrounding landscapes.

This painting by German artist Heinrich Joseph Schütz was created using watercolor and aquatint techniques. At the center of the piece are the exotic pavilions of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew near London, particularly the Alhambra and the Chinese Pagoda. The work is a vivid example of the European fascination with Orientalist architecture, which was often viewed as deeply captivating.

The painting is rendered in light pastel tones, with precise and deliberate brushstrokes that create a rather realistic image. Despite the fairy-tale quality observed in the depiction of the figures — they appear like dolls in a dollhouse. Small, detailed, and seemingly artificial.

This watercolor by John Hill was created based on a work by Irish artist William Guy Wall. Hill was inspired by Wall’s pastel pieces and their truly impressive attention to detail. His own work closely follows suit — capturing precise details of the surrounding landscape, weather conditions, and even the subtle movements of the figures.

The painting is one of a series of 20 works depicting landscapes along the Hudson River. The scene shown is near West Point, home to the United States Military Academy.

Rendered in soft pastel colors, the painting conveys a sense of peace and tranquility. The quiet and coziness of the place are beautifully expressed through the aquatint technique, which allows for a refined interplay of light and shadow.

A masterful work in the techniques of etching and aquatint, created by Thomas Rowlandson. At the center of the composition are the ruins of Scarborough Castle, jutting out into the North Sea. Built in the 12th century, the castle held strategic importance for the region. In the foreground, we see people relaxing and enjoying the view, highlighting the area’s significance as a resort during that period.

Fun fact: This work was part of the series Poetical Sketches of Scarborough, which served as a kind of guidebook to the area, used by visitors. And although the artist was known for his satirical style, this particular series is notably lyrical.

A work from the “Golden Age” of Danish art by the artist Martinus Rørbye. He was a master of detailed drawing that not only conveyed reality with precision but also carried deeper meanings. This graphite work was created during the artist’s travels.

We see the lighthouse in Travemünde, a German port town on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It stands as a symbol of journey and search, and of a society where the cutting-edge technologies of the time meet the legacy of the past. The artwork exudes a sense of calm, silence, and the gentle rustle of leaves— as if people had set down their tools and gone off for a long rest.

A masterful engraving by the Italian artist Giovanni Volpato, created in collaboration with Swiss artist Abraham-Louis-Rodolphe Ducros, executed in the etching technique. It is part of a series of engravings that depict the beauty of Italian locales—yet through a personalized interpretation of reality. Rather than direct representations, these are adapted memories and impressions.

The work reflects the trend toward documentation. The villa itself, located in Caprarola, is portrayed with remarkable accuracy. This five-sided structure, built during the Renaissance, is monumental, significant in the history of Italian architecture, and harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape.

The artwork is truly captivating: pleasant pastel tones, exquisite detail, a dynamic scene, and vivid characters. One could gaze at it for hours, discovering something new each time.

A work by an Australian artist depicting the region of Victoria, Australia. Little is known about it, but characteristically, the painting was created using the artist’s typical techniques and style. Most likely, it is watercolor with additions of other materials, though it is now difficult to say for certain.

The artist’s works hold considerable historical value, as he not only masterfully conveyed atmosphere but also depicted rural life and architecture of the time in great detail.

As for the atmosphere—it is especially dreamlike here: the trees look alike, as if copied and repeated, the field flows gently into the sky, and the people appear to be mere observers, calmly going about their activities.

The artist does not use many colors but takes full advantage of their potential—combining, experimenting, and merging them into a unified whole.

Before us is a detailed depiction of the Moravian Church mission complex in Dimboola, Victoria, Australia. The purpose of this building was to convert local Aboriginal people to Christianity and to “civilize” them.

To create the base of the work, the artist used graphite with subsequent coloring, most likely with watercolor or gouache. The painting is quite realistic and detailed, yet the building is the core of the composition. Through this approach, the artist likely intended to convey its significance in the context of that time. The pastel colors do not distract us from observing the central element.