Art Guide · Periods
18th century
The Age of Enlightenment
The 18th century is the Age of Enlightenment, defined by the graceful scenes of the Rococo, views of Venice and, with the rise of scientific observation, natural history illustration.
Shop 18th century posters Poster prints of these works are in the collection.
Last updated: · Iconica Society editors
What happened in this period?
In France Watteau and Fragonard painted the light, poetic world of the Rococo, and in Venice Canaletto painted the city’s glittering views. Scientists and artists began documenting plants and animals from around the world; Maria Sibylla Merian’s Suriname plates, published in 1705, are among the finest fruits of this new curiosity.