I. Complete the text with the words in the box.

masters, representatives, portraitist, created, landscape, impressionists, outstanding, painted, sitter, countryside, observation, painting, contain, well-known

Famous Painters

Sir Joshua Reynolds was the most (1) ... portraitist of the second half of 18th century. In December 1768 the Royal Academy was founded and Reynolds became its first president. He (2) ... a whole gallery of portraits of the most famous people of that period. He usually (3)... his characters in heroic (4)... and showed them as the best people of the nation.

But the leading (5) ... of his day was Thomas Lawrence. He became painter to George III in 1792 and president of the Royal Academy (1820-1830). Queen Charlotte is one of his finest portraits.

Thomas Gainsborough, one of the greatest (6)... of the English school, was a portraitist and a (7)... painter. His portraits are painted in clear tones. Blue and green are his favourite colours. One of the most famous works is the Portrait of the Dutchess of Beaufort. He managed to create a true impression of the (8)... . Gainsborough greatly influenced the English school of landscape (9).... He was one of the first English artists to paint his native land (Sunset, The Bridge and others). He was the first English artist to paint his native (10)... so sincerely. His works (11) ... much poetry and music. He is sometimes considered the forerunner of the impressionists.

John Constable, an English landscape painter, painted many (12) ... works (A Cottage in a Cornfield, The Loch). He is the first landscape painter who considered that every painter should make his skеtсhes directly from nature working in the open air. His technique and colouring are very close to the (13) .... Constable ignored the rules established by Reynolds. He insisted that art should be based on (14)... of nature and feeling. He was the herald of romanticism. But the realistic qualities of his art are sensed very strongly.

II. Choose one of the items below to write a paragraph on it.

1. My preference lies with the genre of... because...

2. I prefer landscape to other genres. You see...

3. I care much for still lives...

4. I prefer battle pieces...

III. Explain the meanings of the following statements and say if you agree.

1. Art forms our outlook and enriches our inner world.

2. Art has a great educational value.

3. Art brings people up and makes them more humane and kinder.

4. Art holds up people's spirits in the tragic moments of their lives.

5. The language of art is universal.

IV. Read and fill in the biography chart below.

William Turner, a great romantic English landscape painter, was born in Devonshire in 1775. He lived with his uncle in Middlesex, where he began to attend school. His first drawings are dated 1787, when he was only twelve years of age. His childish sketch-books, filled with drawings, are still presented in the British Museum.

When he was 21, he began to exhibit oil paintings as well as water-colours at the Royal Academy. The first “Fishermen at Sea” is now in the Gate Gallery.

He travelled much in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. But he never lost his interest in his own country.

As a landscape painter Turner was interested mainly in light and colour effects. One of his famous paintings is even called “Light and Colour”. His work is highly praised by great critics.

Turner died in London in 1851. His pictures and drawings became the property of the British nation.

William Turner is considered to be one of the world greatest painters.

first name – ………… last name – …………. nationality – ………… profession – ………… date of birth – ………. place of birth – …....... first drawings – ……..

at the age of 21 – …………………………… countries, which he visited – ……………….. critics’ opinion about his work – …………… famous paintings – …………………………. date of death – ……………………………… place of death – …………………………….. place where his paintings are kept – ………..