Any good websites for getting background information about paintings?

Question

I am in this art appreciation class and I have this project and part of it is getting to works of art and I will need some information on them (such as the year, why the painter painted it, the tools used to create it, whatever else there might be). When I google the art names all that comes up is a ton of sites that sell the painting on not any that are describing it.

So, I was wondering if anyone knew of any sites, BESIDES WIKIPEDIA (teacher said lol), that would be helpful for this.


The Raincloud by Antonio Fontanesi
and
Landscape with a River and Dancing Peasants by Giuseppe Zais

are the two paintings I am needing info on if that helps.

Answer 1

Hi! I doubt there's one site that encompasses

all the information (for 'all' artists) that you're

seeking, however, Artcyclopedia.com is a very

good site and can act as a springboard to others.

Just remember... the internet is filled with

misinformation... always get at least 2-3 sources,

i.e. a museum, a book... and there are many good

books online! Look to the Smithsonian archives

for American art, the Joconde for French, the UK

National Inventory for Continental Paintings..

but there is no formula. Try to find academic

sources whenever possible.



http://www.bridgemanart.com/image.aspx?key=80262

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32357038@N08/6063159894/

http://www.bridgemanart.com/image/Zais-Giuseppe-1709-84/Landscape-with-a-River-and-Dancing-Peasants-oil-on-canvas/1ca5d317061d43ca89933c269b4fe37f?key=Landscape%20with%20a%20River%20and%20Dancing%20Peasants%20by%20Giuseppe%20Zais%20&filter=CPOIHV&thumb=x150&num=15&page=1

http://www.google.com/search?q=acap&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=920&bih=495&source=lnms&ei=mEOTTqCUHq2rsALTsPmwAQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=1&ved=0CC4Q_AUoAA#pq=galleria+d%27arte+moderna+florence++fontanesi&hl=en&sugexp=tsh&cp=14&gs_id=5&xhr=t&q=Giuseppe+Zais+lithograph&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=Giuseppe+Zais+&aq=0v&aqi=g-v4&aql=f&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=b12f5e501efbd0e5&biw=920&bih=495

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/zais_giuseppe.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=acap&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=920&bih=495&source=lnms&ei=mEOTTqCUHq2rsALTsPmwAQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=1&ved=0CC4Q_AUoAA#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=bks&source=hp&q=Antonio+Fontanesi+&pbx=1&oq=Antonio+Fontanesi+&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=4734l4734l2l6256l1l1l0l0l0l0l148l148l0.1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=48f8c01b6b57e07f&biw=920&bih=495

http://www.google.com/search?q=acap&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=920&bih=495&source=lnms&ei=mEOTTqCUHq2rsALTsPmwAQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=1&ved=0CC4Q_AUoAA#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=bks&source=hp&q=Giuseppe+Zais+&pbx=1&oq=Giuseppe+Zais+&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=65869l65869l4l66977l1l1l0l0l0l0l351l351l3-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=48f8c01b6b57e07f&biw=920&bih=495



Art resources online:

http://www.google.com/search?q=Leroy+Neiman+Napoleon&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=920&bih=495&prmd=imvnso&source=lnms&ei=XV6TTuLvCoGJsgKWtpyuAQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=1&ved=0CDQQ_AUoAA#hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=X&ei=2GKTTr-PF4iLsAK5nY2xAQ&ved=0CBcQvwUoAQ&q=art+resources+online&spell=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=b12f5e501efbd0e5&biw=920&bih=495



Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Here i found some oil paintings come with description: http://www.vivipainting.com/the-kissgustav-klimt-29-p-1428.html



http://www.vivipainting.com/starry-night-over-the-rhone-p-1641.html



Hope it helps.