The first half of the 1700s was dominated by the Rococo, a whimsical decorative style defined by its light, bright colours and curving forms.

By the 1770s tastes had changed towards a more austere Neoclassical style. Fashions – both in dress and in painting – moved away from the frivolous towards crisper lines and more sober designs. The French Revolution, which began in 1789 and saw the removal of the French monarchy, marked a definite shift in art as well as politics.

In 17th century Netherlands artists became very interested in the use of perspective. Portraits and scenes of everyday were designed to deceive the eye. The representation of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface to create a convincing illusion of depth, plus a general interest in optical illusion, became a central concern for many 17th-century Dutch artists. 

This tour studies the changing perspective and how it foreshadowed changes in painting technique across Northern Europe.