Reference list · Neo Classicism
1756 – 1929
The most famous Neo Classicism paintings are Jacques-Louis David's The Funeral of Patroclus (1778, National Gallery of Ireland), Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's Queen Marie-Antoinette great court dress (n.d.), Giuseppe Cades's Adam and Eve (n.d., Museo del Prado), Angelica Kauffmann's Cornelia Africana (1785) and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's Virgin and Child with candelabra (n.d.). The list runs to 100 paintings by 26 artists, from 1756 to 1929, each with the collection that holds it today.
List
Each entry records the artist, date, technique, dimensions and current collection, followed by a summary from the artwork's notice.
Jacques-Louis DavidNeo-Classicism
1778Oil94 × 218 cmNational Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City
The late 18th century witnessed a deliberate shift away from the ornate frivolity of Rococo towards the perceived purity and rationality of classical antiquity. Neo-Classicism championed order, restraint, and moral virtue – values drawn directly from ancient Greek and Roman art and philosophy. David depicts a poignant scene from Homer’s Iliad: the mourning rituals following the death of Patroclus, Achilles' beloved companion. The setting, an open-air space, emphasizes a public expression of mourning within ancient Greek society.
Oil on canvas
Louise Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was one of the most renowned women painters of her time, known for her portraits of European aristocracy. In Queen Marie-Antoinette great court dress, a rose in hand, Vigée Le Brun depicts the queen in a grand court dress, adorned with intricate details and accessories.
Giuseppe CadesNeo-classicism
Oil on canvas238 × 184.5 cmMuseo del Prado, Madrid
The scene is not solitary; three other figures occupy the periphery, watching from the corners and the edges, adding a layer of silent observation to the central encounter. Giuseppe Cades, working from Rome, brings a specific sensibility to this piece that reflects his training under masters like Mancini and Domenico Corvi.
Angelica KauffmannNeo-Classicism
1785Oil101 × 127 cm
At the heart of the composition stands Cornelia, a figure of immense maternal strength and classical grace, draped in a pristine white dress that reflects the purity of her character. Kauffmann, a pioneer of her era and a co-founder of the Royal Academy in London, demonstrates her exceptional skill in capturing not just the physical likeness of her subjects, but their very essence.
37 × 28 cm
Joshua ReynoldsNeo-Classicism
1789Oil on canvasHenry E. Huntington Library, San Marino
Reynolds's portrait immediately confirmed Mrs Siddons's status as the greatest tragic actor of her day. Behind her are figures representing terror (right) and pity.
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1889
It is painted in 1889. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures.
John VanderlynNeo-Classicism
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo-Classicism
This piece contains interlocking blocks, which form together in the shape of a tree. Mondrian still had a few years to go before he would begin to fins his real voice as an artist, although one could argue that his style was ever-changing, culminating in his masterpieces in his later years of life.
1795Oil on canvas90.5 × 73 cmHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Benjamin WestNeo-Classicism
1795Oil on canvas67.3 × 88.9 cmIndianapolis Museum of Art
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1900
Autumn is an oil on canvas painting by the English painter John William Godward. It is painted in 1900. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures. Godward devoted his whole life to painting girls in classical robes, usually posing decoratively on a marble terrace.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le BrunNeo-Classicism
Oil
The subject, a woman of striking presence, is captured in a moment of serene contemplation, her blonde hair adorned with a simple yet tasteful blue ribbon that mirrors the soft hues of her attire. Vigée Le Brun utilizes a soft, luminous palette to highlight the textures that define high-society portraiture.
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1890
The Flowers of Venus is an oil on canvas painting by the English painter John William Godward. It is painted in 1890. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures. There is more paintings by Godward with venus theme.
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1908
Phyleis is an oil on canvas painting by the English painter John William Godward. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures.
Jacques-Louis DavidNeo-Classicism
1799Oil on canvas145 × 112 cmLouvre, Paris
Neoclassicism, emerging from the ashes of Rococo extravagance, sought to revive the artistic standards of ancient Greece and Rome. Painted during the Directory—a period of relative stability following the French Revolution—it reflects the aspirations for order and civic virtue that characterized this era. The seemingly simple gesture of Madame de Verninac’s hand resting on the chair arm is laden with symbolic meaning.
Notable elementsclassical attire
1842Oil on canvas105 × 94 cm
John Singleton CopleyNeo-Classicism
1765Oil on canvas76 × 63 cmMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
In this intimate portrait, titled Boy with Squirrel (Henry Pelham), the artist John Singleton Copley captures a quiet moment of childhood. The subject of this piece is Henry Pelham, who is the half-brother of the artist himself. In certain records, the work is identified by the more specific title, A Boy with a Flying Squirrel (Henry Pelham).
1788Oil on canvas123 × 159 cmHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Angelica KauffmannNeo-Classicism
1783Oil on canvas310 × 426 cmMuseo di Capodimonte, Naples
Franz Xaver WinterhalterNeo-Classicism
1843Oil on canvas53 × 64 cmRoyal Collection, London
Angelica KauffmannNeo-Classicism
1764Oil on canvas97 × 71 cmKunsthaus Zürich, Zurich
The painting depicts him seated at a desk, surrounded by books and a cup, exuding an air of focus and concentration. For those interested in learning more about Kauffmann's work, https://AllPaintingsStore.com offers a range of resources, including high-quality reproductions of her paintings, such as Portrait of Johann Joachim Winckelmann and Angelica portrait of a woman.
1812Oil on canvas138 × 142 cmRoyal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels
Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresNeo-Classicism
1852Oil on canvas91 × 70 cmMusée d'Orsay, Paris
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1895Oil on canvas60.6 × 133 cmJ. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Mischief and Repose is an oil on canvas painting by the English painter John William Godward. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures.
Franz Xaver WinterhalterNeo-Classicism
1841Oil on canvas121.5 × 98.6 cmRoyal Collection, London
The subject, Louises von Orléans, is presented with a regal bearing that speaks volumes about her station in life. Winterhalter, renowned for his ability to capture royalty and nobility, did not just paint a woman; he immortalized a social archetype—the poised, richly adorned lady of the Romantic era transitioning into Victorian formality.
Angelica KauffmannNeo-Classicism
1764Oil on canvas84 × 69 cmBurghley House, Stamford
Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresNeo-Classicism
1821Oil on canvas59 × 76 cmTaft Museum of Art, Cincinnati
Ingres’s dedication to classical principles is immediately apparent, shaping every aspect of this portrait. “Mademoiselle Jeanne Gonin” is a quintessential example of Neo- Classical art, a movement that sought to revive the artistic styles of ancient Greece and Rome. The painting’s legacy extends beyond the 19th century, continuing to inspire admiration for its technical mastery and aesthetic beauty.
Notable elementsblue bowserene pose
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1899Oil on canvas120 × 56 cm
The Delphic Oracle is an oil on canvas work by the English painter John William Godward. The subject is positioned within a classical setting, captured in a moment of stillness that defines the artist's approach to Neo-Classicism. It was previously held in the collection of the New Zealander Sir Ernest Davies.
1813Oil on canvas59.1 × 46.5 cmWalters Art Museum, Baltimore
Benjamin WestNeo-Classicism
1784Oil on canvas185 × 87.5 cmNational Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
Rembrandt PealeNeo-Classicism
1823
John Singleton CopleyNeo-Classicism
1770Oil on canvas88 × 72 cmMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
Joshua ReynoldsNeo-Classicism
1781Oil on canvas142 × 251 cmRoyal Collection, London
Franz Xaver WinterhalterNeo-Classicism
1837Oil on canvas254 × 190 cmLiechtenstein Museum, Vienna
John Singleton CopleyNeo-Classicism
1772Oil on canvas127 × 101 cmArt Museum, Seattle
1798Oil on canvas237.49 × 162.56 cmSaint Louis Art Museum
Angelica KauffmannNeo-Classicism
1796Oil on canvas123 × 158 cmBavarian State Painting Collections, Munich
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1908Oil101 × 61 cm
The painting presents us with a central figure of incomparable elegance, draped in a flowing, vibrant red gown that commands the viewer's gaze. These colors work in concert to create a sense of stability and order, reflecting the core tenets of the Neo-Classical movement.
Notable elementsmarble statuesbirdsred dress
1771Oil on canvas128 × 103 cm
Benjamin WestNeo-Classicism
1778Oil on canvasMount Stewart, Newtownards
The artistry of Benjamin West shines brightest in his ability to marry the precision of Neo-Classicism with an emerging sense of dramatic intensity. A hand-painted version of this work preserves the delicate nuances of West’s original vision, from the subtle transitions in the sky to the intricate details of the military uniforms.
Angelica KauffmannNeo-Classicism
1787Oil on canvas128 × 94 cm
Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresNeo-Classicism
1804Oil41 × 33 cmMusée Ingres Bourdelle, Montauban
John William GodwardNeo-Classicism
1909Oil on canvas76.8 × 38.1 cm
At the Thermae is an oil on canvas painting by the English painter John William Godward. It is painted in 1909. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresNeo-Classicism
1805Oil on canvas65 × 54.5 cmMusée des Augustins, Toulouse
Benjamin WestNeo-Classicism
1797Oil on panel31.5 × 44.3 cmAllen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin
Filippo Antonio CifarielloNeo Classicism
1898
Carle VernetNeo Classicism
John FlaxmanNeo Classicism
1795
Carle VernetNeo Classicism
Pierre-Paul Prud'honNeo Classicism
59 × 45 cm
Carle VernetNeo Classicism
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo Classicism
1756
John Singleton CopleyNeo Classicism
1769Oil on canvas46 × 61 cmGroninger Museum, Groningen
John Singleton CopleyNeo Classicism
176946 × 61 cm
Carle VernetNeo Classicism
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo Classicism
1756
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo Classicism
1756
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo Classicism
1756
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo Classicism
1756
184947 × 39 cm
Giovanni Battista PiranesiNeo Classicism
1756
Pierre-Paul Prud'honNeo Classicism
1850Oil on canvas72.3 × 141 cm
Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresNeo Classicism
17 × 13 cm
Nicolas-Antoine TaunayNeo Classicism
1820Oil
Classification
Neo Classicism44 · 1756–1911
Neo-Classicism55 · 1764–1929
Neo-classicism1
Collections
Of the 100 works, 3 are held in London, including 3 at the Royal Collection.
Artists cited
1720–1778 · Italy · 15
Italian Neoclassical etcher of dramatic Roman vedute and vast, labyrinthine imaginary prisons defined by colossal scale and heavy shadows.
14. The Gothic Arch, 20. The mouth of the Cloaca Maxima, 75. The Roman antiquities, 79. The Roman antiquities, 82. The Roman antiquities, 83. The Roman antiquities, 85. The Roman antiquities, 86. The Roman antiquities, 87. The Roman antiquities, 90. The Roman antiquities, 92. The Roman antiquities, 94. The Roman antiquities, 97. The Roman antiquities, 98. The Roman antiquities, 100. The Roman antiquities
1780–1867 · France · 12
French Neoclassical painter of precise contours and idealized nudes, known for the flowing, sculptural lines of his famous odalisques.
5. Virgin and Child with candelabra, 19. Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Desdéban, 29. Luigi Cherubini and the Muse of Lyric Poetry, 35. Virgil Reading Aeneid to Augustus, Octavia, and Livia, 36. Venus at Paphos, 40. Mademoiselle Jeanne Gonin, 42. The Betrothal of Raphael and the Niece of Cardinal Bibbiena, 55. Portrait of a young man, 57. Portrait of Frédéric Desmarais, 88. Madame Baltard and her daughter, Paule, 89. Countess Charles d'Agoult and her daughter Claire d'Agoult, 95. Paolo and Francesca
1738–1820 · United States · 9
American-born Neoclassical painter and Royal Academy president known for revolutionary history scenes and dramatic, epic representations.
8. Saul Before Samuel ^ the Prophets, 17. Woodcutters in Windsor Park, 23. Francis Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds, 25. The Fatal Wounding of Sir Philip Sidney, 26. Cornelia Mother of the Gracchi Showing her Children as her only Ornaments, 27. Archangel Michael ^ Satan, 43. Portrait of Dr Richard Price, 53. The Battle of the Boyne, 58. General Thaddeus Kosciusko
1741–1807 · Switzerland · 8
Swiss Neoclassical painter of elegant portraits and classical history scenes, known for her role as a female founder of the Royal Academy.
4. Cornelia Africana, 31. Virgil Reading the Aeneid to Augustus and Octavia, 32. Ferdinand IV of Naples and his family, 34. Portrait of Johann Joachim Winckelmann, 39. Garrick, 50. Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well, 52. Portrait of Anne Loudon, Lady Henderson of Fordall, 54. Self-portrait
1861–1922 · United Kingdom · 8
Victorian Neo-Classical painter of beautiful women in classical settings, rendered with meticulous detail in marble, fur, and vibrant fabrics.
7. Ianthe, 18. Autumn, 22. The Flowers of Venus, 24. Phyleis, 37. Mischief and Repose, 41. The Delphic Oracle, 51. Athenais, 56. At the Thermae
1758–1836 · France · 8
French painter of dynamic Napoleonic battle scenes and realistic equestrian studies, known for capturing the raw movement of horses from nature.
60. Cheval Arrivant de La Chasse, 61. Route de Saint-cloud, 63. Cheval Arabe, 66. Route de Poste, 70. De La Gironde (région Du Sud), 73. Napoleon at Austerlitz, 74. Standing Warrior, 81. Mounted Mamelucke
1738–1815 · United States · 6
Anglo-American realist known for precise textures of silk and metal in portraits and dramatic, modern historical scenes.
30. Boy with Squirrel (Henry Pelham), 45. Paul Revere, 48. Sylvester Gardiner, 49. Henry Addington, First Viscount Sidmouth, 76. Mrs. Ebenezer Storer (Mary Edwards), 78. Ebenezer Storer
Notes
Hover over an entry to display the answer.
Jacques-Louis David's The Funeral of Patroclus (1778, National Gallery of Ireland) is the most famous Neo Classicism painting and No. 1 of this ranking, ahead of Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's Queen Marie-Antoinette great court dress (n.d.), Giuseppe Cades's Adam and Eve (n.d., Museo del Prado) and Angelica Kauffmann's Cornelia Africana (1785).
The 10 most famous Neo Classicism paintings are The Funeral of Patroclus (Jacques-Louis David), Queen Marie-Antoinette great court dress (Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun), Adam and Eve (Giuseppe Cades), Cornelia Africana (Angelica Kauffmann), Virgin and Child with candelabra (Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres), Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse (Joshua Reynolds), Ianthe (John William Godward), Saul Before Samuel ^ the Prophets (Benjamin West), Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria (Joseph Kreutzinger) and The family (Mario Sironi).
Giovanni Battista Piranesi leads the ranking with 15 of the 100 paintings, including The Gothic Arch, The mouth of the Cloaca Maxima and The Roman antiquities.
The painters with the most works in this list are Giovanni Battista Piranesi (15), Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (12), Benjamin West (9), Angelica Kauffmann (8) and John William Godward (8).
The Royal Collection holds 3 of the 100, followed by the Hermitage Museum (2) and the Museum of Fine Arts (2). London is the city with the most: 3.
Most of them are in London (3), Saint Petersburg (2) and Paris (2). The museums with the most are the Royal Collection, the Hermitage Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Of the 100 paintings, 41 are in oil, 0 in tempera or tempera and oil, and 0 are frescoes painted on the wall. 1 are on wooden panels and 34 on canvas.
The earliest is Giovanni Battista Piranesi's The Roman antiquities (1756) (1756); the latest, Mario Sironi's The family (1929) (1929).
The biggest is Angelica Kauffmann's Ferdinand IV of Naples and his family (1783, Museo di Capodimonte) at 310 × 426 cm; the smallest, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's Paolo and Francesca (n.d.) at 17 × 13 cm.
Each painting is ranked by how widely it is known: the number of Wikipedia language editions with an article on it (Wikidata sitelinks), its place in our catalogue's manual ranking and the visits its page receives. The same painting catalogued several times counts once, and details, copies and studies are left out.
Yes: 99 of the 100 can be ordered as a hand-painted oil reproduction, from $177, and 99 as a canvas print, from $42.
Reproductions
Hand-painted reproductions of 99 works in this list are available from $177.
Scope: the Neo Classicism paintings recorded in the WikiOO.org catalogue. Order: how well known each painting is, measured three ways — the number of Wikipedia language editions with an article on it, its editorial rank and the visits to its page. A work recorded several times is counted once; details, copies and studies are excluded.
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