Peintures de Historique

Historical painting depicts the great events, battles, and figures of history — from ancient civilisations to the Napoleonic era. This collection features thousands of public domain historical paintings by Jacques-Louis David, Peter Paul Rubens, Benjamin West and more, all free to download in high resolution. Historical painting was considered the highest genre in academic art, demanding mastery of figure drawing, composition, and narrative. All works are free to download for personal and commercial use.

Historical scene of a militia company, oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Night Watch Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq

Rembrandt van Rijn

Lincoln Memorial sculpture in marble by Henry Bacon

Lincoln Memorial

Henry Bacon

Rubens' painting depicts Salome presenting the head of St. John the Baptist.

The Feast of Herod. Salome Bringing the Head of St John the Baptist on a Charger

Peter Paul Rubens

Francisco de Goya's 'Los desastres de la guerra' depicts the horrors of war.

Los desastres de la guerra

Francisco de Goya

Frans Hals' painting depicts a militia company in a lively and detailed manner.

Militia Company of District XI under the Command of Captain Reynier Reael, Known as ‘The Meagre Company’

Frans Hals

Rembrandt's 'Belshazzar's Feast' depicts a dramatic biblical scene with rich colors and intricate details.

Belshazzar’s feast

Rembrandt van Rijn

John Singer Sargent's 'Gassed' depicts soldiers recovering from a gas attack in World War I.

Gassed

John Singer Sargent

Peter Paul Rubens' 'Judith Beheading Holofernes' depicts a dramatic biblical scene.

Judith Beheading Holofernes

Peter Paul Rubens

Gustav Klimt's 'Judith' features a striking portrayal of the biblical figure.

Judith

Gustav Klimt

Rembrandt's 'Night Watch' depicts a lively militia scene with dramatic lighting.

Night Watch, Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq

Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt's 'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp' depicts a medical demonstration.

The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp

Rembrandt van Rijn

Turner's painting depicts the dramatic fire at the Houses of Parliament.

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16 October

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Rembrandt's 'The Conspiracy of the Batavians under Claudius Civilis' depicts a pivotal moment in Dutch history.

The Conspiracy of the Batavians under Claudius Civilis

Rembrandt van Rijn

The Feast of Herod by Peter Paul Rubens depicts a dramatic biblical scene.

The Feast of Herod

Peter Paul Rubens

Francisco de Goya's 'The Third of May' depicts a dramatic scene of war and sacrifice.

The Third of May

Francisco de Goya

The Triumph of Henry IV by Peter Paul Rubens showcases a grand historical scene.

The Triumph of Henry IV

Peter Paul Rubens

The Third of May 1808 by Francisco de Goya, oil on canvas showing a man in white with arms outstretched.

The Third of May 1808

Francisco de Goya

El Greco's 'Count Orgaz’ funeral' depicts a dramatic scene of a funeral with vivid colors and figures.

Count Orgaz’ funeral

El Greco

Isaac and Rebecca, oil on canvas by Rembrandt van Rijn, showing a tender moment.

Isaac and Rebecca, Known as ‘The Jewish Bride’

Rembrandt van Rijn

The Charge of the Mamelukes, oil on canvas by Francisco de Goya, depicting charging horses in battle.

The Charge of the Mamelukes (1814)

Francisco de Goya

Engraving by Albrecht Dürer depicting the four horsemen of the apocalypse

De vier ruiters van de apocalyps

Albrecht Dürer

Historical scene with a mother and child amidst chaos, oil painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Massacre of the Innocents

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, oil painting by Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, October 16, 1834

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Charles V at Mühlberg by Titian, oil on canvas, shows the emperor in armor on horseback.

Charles V at Mühlberg

Tiziano

Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day, oil on canvas by Canaletto

Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day

Canaletto

Rubens' painting depicts the triumphant entry of Henri IV into Paris.

Triumphal entry of Henri IV in Paris (march 22, 1594)

Peter Paul Rubens

The Finding of Moses by Peter Paul Rubens depicts a dramatic biblical scene.

Finding of Moses

Peter Paul Rubens

The Combat of the Giaour and Hassan, oil on canvas by Eugène Delacroix, depicting a fierce battle.

The Combat of the Giaour and Hassan

Eugène Delacroix

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, oil on canvas by Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16 October 1834

Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba, oil on canvas by Claude Lorrain, featuring a queen and a ship at sunset.

The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba

Claude Lorrain

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