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Idealism Collection

Idealism is a concept that has been explored and depicted in various forms of art throughout history

Background imageIdealism Collection: The Workers May-Pole, design for a socialist poster

The Workers May-Pole, design for a socialist poster
The Workers May-Pole, a design for a socialist poster, with a central allegorical figure, and banners and ribbons labelled with abstract ideas such as Leisure, Solidarity and Humanity. Date: 1894

Background imageIdealism Collection: George Berkeley, Irish philosopher

George Berkeley, Irish philosopher
George Berkeley (1685-1753), Irish philosopher and Bishop of Cloyne (appointed 1734). Berkeley is famous for his philosophical theory concerning the perception of sensations and ideas

Background imageIdealism Collection: French poster, The Future Lies in Socialism

French poster, The Future Lies in Socialism
A French poster which declares that The Future Lies in Socialism, showing men who have fought in the First World War facing up to the octopus monster of commercialism, foreign gold

Background imageIdealism Collection: Revolutionary art, Museum of the Revolution, Havana, Cuba

Revolutionary art, Museum of the Revolution, Havana, Cuba

Background imageIdealism Collection: Battle at the Porte St Denis, 28th July, 1830, Paris. Artist: Hippolyte Lecomte

Battle at the Porte St Denis, 28th July, 1830, Paris. Artist: Hippolyte Lecomte
Battle at the Porte St Denis, 28th July, 1830, Paris. Fighting between the people and royalist troops during the French Revolution of July 1830. From the Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Background imageIdealism Collection: Conscientious Objectors, World War I

Conscientious Objectors, World War I
Conscientious Objectors doing hard labour, breaking rocks in prison during World War I

Background imageIdealism Collection: O Ye Green Things, Benedicite Window detail, c. 1895 (stained glass)

O Ye Green Things, Benedicite Window detail, c. 1895 (stained glass)
3475373 O Ye Green Things, Benedicite Window detail, c.1895 (stained glass) by Holiday, Henry (1839-1927); All Saints Church, Casterton Road, Stamford, UK; eAlastair Carew-Cox; English

Background imageIdealism Collection: The triumph of Truth. 19th century (oil on canvas)

The triumph of Truth. 19th century (oil on canvas)
6371833 The triumph of Truth. 19th century (oil on canvas) by Mussini, Luigi (1813-88); Accademia Di Belle Arti Di Brera Quadreria, Milan, Italy; (add.info.: The triumph of Truth)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Thomas Hill Green, English philosopher (autotype)

Thomas Hill Green, English philosopher (autotype)
6014943 Thomas Hill Green, English philosopher (autotype) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Thomas Hill Green (1836-1882)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling, German philosopher (b / w photo)

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling, German philosopher (b / w photo)
6014937 Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling, German philosopher (b/w photo) by German Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling (1775-1854)

Background imageIdealism Collection: The Wish Fulfilled (engraving)

The Wish Fulfilled (engraving)
972701 The Wish Fulfilled (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Wish Fulfilled)

Background imageIdealism Collection: The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his

The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his
485239 The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his Lantern, 1607 (woodcut) (detail of 485240) by English School

Background imageIdealism Collection: Young Pioneers, Berlin, Germany, 1930 (b / w photo)

Young Pioneers, Berlin, Germany, 1930 (b / w photo)
473528 Young Pioneers, Berlin, Germany, 1930 (b/w photo) by Modotti, Tina (1896-1942); eGalerie Bilderwelt; Italian, out of copyright

Background imageIdealism Collection: The great waiting for the Uoeini in Val Masino (Valtellina) (colour litho)

The great waiting for the Uoeini in Val Masino (Valtellina) (colour litho)
2808921 The great waiting for the Uoeini in Val Masino (Valtellina) (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Socialist propaganda postcard (colour litho)

Socialist propaganda postcard (colour litho)
3102295 Socialist propaganda postcard (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Socialist propaganda postcard)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Cartoon, The Working-Man, Royal Westminster Exhibition

Cartoon, The Working-Man, Royal Westminster Exhibition
Cartoon, The Working-Man, from the Royal Westminster Exhibition. A satire on the Royal Academy Exhibition, where many paintings depicted working men

Background imageIdealism Collection: Allegory of the 1830 Revolution and the Marseillaise, engraved by the Gihaut brothers

Allegory of the 1830 Revolution and the Marseillaise, engraved by the Gihaut brothers
CHT173536 Allegory of the 1830 Revolution and the Marseillaise, engraved by the Gihaut brothers, 1830 (colour litho) by Scheffer, Ary (1795-1858) (after); Musee de la Ville de Paris

Background imageIdealism Collection: Elysium, late 18th century (colour engraving)

Elysium, late 18th century (colour engraving)
CHT218569 Elysium, late 18th century (colour engraving) by Schall, Jean-Frederic (1752-1825) (after); Institut National de Recherche Pedagogique, Paris

Background imageIdealism Collection: The triumph of Truth. detail. 1847 (oil on canvas)

The triumph of Truth. detail. 1847 (oil on canvas)
6371834 The triumph of Truth. detail. 1847 (oil on canvas) by Mussini, Luigi (1813-88); Accademia Di Belle Arti Di Brera Quadreria, Milan, Italy; (add.info.: The triumph of Truth. Socrates and Plao)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Quatrefoil Tracery, Angel, 1882 (stained glass)

Quatrefoil Tracery, Angel, 1882 (stained glass)
3475369 Quatrefoil Tracery, Angel, 1882 (stained glass) by Holiday, Henry (1839-1927); All Saints Church, Evesham, Worcestershire, UK; eAlastair Carew-Cox; English, out of copyright

Background imageIdealism Collection: Quatrefoil Tracery Angel, 1882 (stained glass)

Quatrefoil Tracery Angel, 1882 (stained glass)
3475367 Quatrefoil Tracery Angel, 1882 (stained glass) by Holiday, Henry (1839-1927); All Saints Church, Evesham, Worcestershire, UK; (add.info.: Evesham, All Saints, JPS, HH)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Parents are the Real Teachers, late 18th century (colour engraving)

Parents are the Real Teachers, late 18th century (colour engraving)
CHT218570 Parents are the Real Teachers, late 18th century (colour engraving) by French School, (18th century); Musee National de l Education, Rouen

Background imageIdealism Collection: Map of the Island of Utopia, Book frontispiece (engraving) (b / w photo)

Map of the Island of Utopia, Book frontispiece (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF131218 Map of the Island of Utopia, Book frontispiece (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (16th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageIdealism Collection: Map of the Island of Utopia, Book frontispiece, 1563 (engraving) (b / w photo)

Map of the Island of Utopia, Book frontispiece, 1563 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF131217 Map of the Island of Utopia, Book frontispiece, 1563 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (16th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageIdealism Collection: The triumph of Truth. 1847 oil on canvas

The triumph of Truth. 1847 oil on canvas
6371837 The triumph of Truth. 1847 oil on canvas by Mussini, Luigi (1813-88); Accademia Di Belle Arti Di Brera Quadreria, Milan, Italy; (add.info.: The triumph of Truth)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Socialist propaganda postcard (colour litho)

Socialist propaganda postcard (colour litho)
3102298 Socialist propaganda postcard (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Socialist propaganda postcard)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Village Festival in Honour of Old Age at the time of the French Revolution

Village Festival in Honour of Old Age at the time of the French Revolution
CHT336992 Village Festival in Honour of Old Age at the time of the French Revolution, 1795 (colour engraving) by Wille, Pierre Alexandre (1748-1821) (after); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Background imageIdealism Collection: Striped Portrait, 1932 (w / c on paper)

Striped Portrait, 1932 (w / c on paper)
NUL128431 Striped Portrait, 1932 (w/c on paper) by Schlemmer, Oskar (1888-1943); 53.5x42.5 cm; Private Collection; German, out of copyright

Background imageIdealism Collection: The triumph of Truth, detail of the astronomers. 1847 (oil on canvas)

The triumph of Truth, detail of the astronomers. 1847 (oil on canvas)
6371835 The triumph of Truth, detail of the astronomers. 1847 (oil on canvas) by Mussini, Luigi (1813-88); Accademia Di Belle Arti Di Brera Quadreria, Milan, Italy; (add.info.: The triumph of Truth)

Background imageIdealism Collection: The Seven Ages Of Man (b / w photo)

The Seven Ages Of Man (b / w photo)
3642331 The Seven Ages Of Man (b/w photo) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Seven Ages Of Man)

Background imageIdealism Collection: O All Ye Children Of Men, Benedicite Window detail, c. 1895 (stained glass)

O All Ye Children Of Men, Benedicite Window detail, c. 1895 (stained glass)
3475379 O All Ye Children Of Men, Benedicite Window detail, c.1895 (stained glass) by Holiday, Henry (1839-1927); All Saints Church, Casterton Road, Stamford, UK; (add.info.: Casterton, All Saints)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Liberty, equality, fraternity (colour litho)

Liberty, equality, fraternity (colour litho)
3102296 Liberty, equality, fraternity (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Liberty, equality, fraternity)

Background imageIdealism Collection: The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his

The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his
485240 The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his Lantern, 1607 (woodcut) (see also 485239) by English School

Background imageIdealism Collection: National Almanach for 1791, dedicated to the Friends of the Constitution

National Almanach for 1791, dedicated to the Friends of the Constitution
485195 National Almanach for 1791, dedicated to the Friends of the Constitution, 1790 (colour aquatint) (see 485200 for detail) by Debucourt, Philibert Louis (1755-1832); Musee de la Ville de Paris

Background imageIdealism Collection: The triumph of Truth. detail of the astronomers. 1847 (oil on canvas)

The triumph of Truth. detail of the astronomers. 1847 (oil on canvas)
6371836 The triumph of Truth. detail of the astronomers. 1847 (oil on canvas) by Mussini, Luigi (1813-88); Accademia Di Belle Arti Di Brera Quadreria, Milan, Italy; (add.info.: The triumph of Truth)

Background imageIdealism Collection: National Peace Poster Stamps, featuring student peace posters, 1935-1940 (litho)

National Peace Poster Stamps, featuring student peace posters, 1935-1940 (litho)
5906426 National Peace Poster Stamps, featuring student peace posters, 1935-1940 (litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: National Peace Poster Stamps)

Background imageIdealism Collection: Harmonious Times, 1895-96 (colour lithograph)

Harmonious Times, 1895-96 (colour lithograph)
5672878 Harmonious Times, 1895-96 (colour lithograph) by Signac, Paul (1863-1935); 50 x 37.6 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Background imageIdealism Collection: Robert Owen, 1834 (oil on canvas)

Robert Owen, 1834 (oil on canvas)
3740340 Robert Owen, 1834 (oil on canvas) by Brooke, William Henry (1772-1860); 27.3x21.6 cm; National Portrait Gallery, London, UK; (add.info.: Robert Owen (1771-1858) Welsh social reformer

Background imageIdealism Collection: There is no more reality

There is no more reality
Muhammad Fadhlullah

Background imageIdealism Collection: War Inside My Head

War Inside My Head
sarwono edi subarkah

Background imageIdealism Collection: Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), German philosopher

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), German philosopher

Background imageIdealism Collection: Vue de la Rue des Recolets de Quebeck, c. 1770s

Vue de la Rue des Recolets de Quebeck, c. 1770s
Vue de la Rue des Recolets de Quebeck, pub. C. 1770s (hand coloured engraving)

Background imageIdealism Collection: World Youth Congress, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA, 16-24 August 1938

World Youth Congress, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA, 16-24 August 1938

Background imageIdealism Collection: Prise de la Porte St Denis le 28th Juillet 1830, Revolution of 1830, Paris

Prise de la Porte St Denis le 28th Juillet 1830, Revolution of 1830, Paris
Prise de la Porte St. Denis le 28th Juillet 1830, Revolution of 1830, Paris. The battle at Porte St Denis, between the people and a royal battalion

Background imageIdealism Collection: Algiers and Louis Philippe, French Revolution of 1830

Algiers and Louis Philippe, French Revolution of 1830. On 26th July, 1830, the Polignac ministry, strongly reactionary in its tendencies

Background imageIdealism Collection: Liberty, Revolution of July 27-29th, 1830, Paris

Liberty, Revolution of July 27-29th, 1830, Paris

Background imageIdealism Collection: Napoleon on St Helena, 1815-1821 (1826)

Napoleon on St Helena, 1815-1821 (1826). Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I) (1769-1821), Emperor of France 1804-1815. Above his head is an eagle carrying a branch of laurel with the names of his famous




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Idealism is a concept that has been explored and depicted in various forms of art throughout history. From the vibrant imagery of "The Workers May-Pole, design for a socialist poster" to the profound musings of George Berkeley, an Irish philosopher, it has captivated minds across time and space. In France, a powerful message was conveyed through the iconic French poster titled "The Future Lies in Socialism. " This artwork symbolized hope for a better future built on egalitarian principles. Similarly, revolutionary art displayed at the Museum of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba showcased ideals worth fighting for. One such battle that exemplified idealistic fervor was depicted in Hippolyte Lecomte's painting "Battle at the Porte St Denis. " The events that unfolded on 28th July 1830 in Paris were fueled by passionate individuals who believed in their cause wholeheartedly. During World War I, conscientious objectors stood firm against violence and war. Their unwavering commitment to peace embodied idealism amidst chaos and destruction. The Tower of Juche stands tall as a testament to North Korea's ideology rooted in self-reliance and independence. It represents an idealistic vision shaped by its leaders' philosophies. Philosophers like Hegel have delved deep into understanding idealism's intricacies. Through engravings capturing his portrait, we are reminded of his intellectual contributions to this philosophical school of thought. Even everyday aspects like housing can be seen through an idealistic lens. A housing poster titled "The Home I Want" portrays dreams filled with comfort and happiness—a utopian vision realized within our own living spaces. Nature itself becomes imbued with ideals as seen through stained glass windows depicting lush greenery like "O Ye Green Things, " Benedicite Window detail from c. 1895. These intricate works evoke awe-inspiring beauty while reminding us of nature's inherent perfection—an embodiment of pure ideals.