The Web Gallery of Art is a virtual museum and searchable database
of European fine arts from 11th to 19th centuries. It was started in
1996 as a topical site of the Renaissance art, originated in the Italian
city-states of the 14th century and spread to other countries in the
15th and 16th centuries. Intending to present Renaissance art as
comprehensively as possible, the scope of the collection was later
extended to show its Medieval roots as well as its evolution to Baroque
and Rococo via Mannerism. Encouraged by the feedback from the visitors,
recently 19th-century art was also included. However, we do not intend
to present 20th-century and contemporary art.
The collection has some of the characteristics of a virtual museum. The experience of the visitors is enhanced by guided tours helping to understand the artistic and historical relationship between different works and artists, by period music of choice in the background and a free postcard service. At the same time the collection serves the visitors' need for a site where various information on art, artists and history can be found together with corresponding pictorial illustrations. Although not a conventional one, the collection is a searchable database supplemented by a glossary containing articles on art terms, relevant historical events, personages, cities, museums and churches
The Web Gallery of Art is intended to be a free resource of art
history primarily for students and teachers. It is a private initiative
not related to any museums or art institutions, and not supported
financially by any state or corporate sponsors. However, we do our
utmost, using authentic literature and advice from professionals, to
ensure the quality and authenticity of the content.
We are convinced that such a collection of digital reproductions,
containing a balanced mixture of interlinked visual and textual
information, can serve multiple purposes. On one hand it can simply be a
source of artistic enjoyment; a convenient alternative to visiting a
distant museum, or an incentive to do just that. On the other hand, it
can serve as a tool for public education both in schools and at home.
