James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Nocturne in Black and Gold

This oil painting is very abstract. It's almost looks as if there is not a story behind it and just a bunch of random brush strokes. However, if you look close enough you can see the picture of a firework show in a park. I think what I like most about this painting is the abstractness, and that you have to really concentrate on it in order to make out the scene.

Claude Monet, Impression Sunrise, 1872. Oil on canvas

Monet's painting, Impression Sunrise, is by far one of my favorite pieces. I love the blotchy brush strokes and the way it looks very abstract/surreal. The coloring is beautiful and I really like the way that the orange contrasts with the softer blue hues in the rest of the painting.

Caspar David Freidrich. Abbey in the Oak Forest. Oil on canvas

I really like the eerie feeling of this picture. The contrast of the different light draws you in and makes you really focus in on the cemetery scene. It also makes you wonder where the strange light source is coming from. The vertical lines of the trees and the towering brick structure, automatically bring your eyes down to the creepy tomb stones below.

Caspar David Friedrich. Wanderer above a Sea of Mist

In Friedrich's oil painting, Wanderer above a Sea of Mist, the view alone is very realistic and breathtaking. The way that Friedrich ingeniously make the point of view from the top of the man's head, gives the viewer the sensation that they are hovering behind the man and viewing the scenery from afar. The mist around the jagged rocks, the fog around the distance mountain, and the soft clouds all give the painting a very dreamy feel.

Jean-Honore Fragonard, The Swing. 1766. Oil on Canvas,
Wallace Collection, London

In this painting, the glowing pastel colors and soft light in the foreground convey the theme's sensuality. The light colors on top of the dark background give it a very ominous feel, as well as portraying the contrast in perspective. I like the lightheartedness of the story depicted. The fallen man in the bushes portray the painting's comical story and resembles a stage scene from an actual comic opera.

Francois De Cuvillies, Hall of Mirrors, Munich Germany.
Early 18th century

I really like the way the light blue walls contrast with the silver-bronze of the stucco relief. The relief has a somewhat lively effect that gives the appearance that it is growing upwards toward the ceiling. I also love the the mirrors and the concept of them. On sunny days the light will reflect off of them, lighting the room without the need for artificial lighting. This is something that I would love to see for myself someday.

PETER PAUL RUBENS, Consequences of War,
 1638–1639. Oil on canvas. Palazzo Pitti, Florence

Much like Rubens' other paintings, the realism and structure of each individual's body is amazing in Consequences of War. The way the light reflects off of the muscle tone an defines each curve makes the painting look very realistic and almost jump of the page at you.

PIETER CLAESZ, Vanitas Still Life,  
Oil on panel. 
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg. 

I find the assortment of items in Claesz', Vanitas Still Life, very interesting. The cluster of random objects really catch my attention, especially the globe and the glass goblet. The way the light reflects off of both are very realistic. I also like that you can see a man's reflection in the background through the globe, as well as a scale of the room and a small window to the left.