What are the different types of social functions illustrated in the works of various nineteenth century painters?

Certainly,
before the creation of photography the canvas was the only medium to record social functions,
and to preserve the physical appearance of prominent and historical figures, such as those by
the English painter Philip Augustus Barnard, who created portraits and miniatures of the upper
class.
Another group, the Society of Painters in Water Colours, recorded landscapes
with this newer medium. However, in the nineteenth century in France, the Impressionists began
to record the social functions of all levels of society, rather than merely that of the elite.
Auguste Renoir was known for portraying many of his personal friends, as for instance, in his
painting Dancing at the Moulin de la Galette in which some of his models
were personal friends. Seated at the table Georges Riviere and the painter Frankkk-Lamy and
Goenuette, with the seamstress sister Estelle and Jeanne. Other artists, Gervex, Cordy,
Lestringuez and Lhote are among the dancers. Many of the other Impressionists recorded events in
their personal lives; Claude Monet even painted his wife and the changes as she was
dying!

Other artists of this period such as Vincent van Gogh and Toulouse
Lautrec used their paintings to not only illustrate life, but to support their view of the
world. Van Gogh's style is almost literary, telling a story of people and landscapes. Very
telling is his painting Four Peasants at a Meal of which van Gogh
wrote,

"I think that the picture of the peasants
eating potatoes that I painted in Nuenen is the best of all my work."

In fact, van Gogh recorded his social criticism and analysis of the
times, formulating a type of manifesto with his accompanying writing to his paintings of the
poor that he attempted to help.

Having made the acquaintance of van Gogh and
shown his paintings with this artist, Toulouse Lautrec recorded in his works many details of the
late-19th-century bohemian lifestyle in Paris in Montmarte. When the Moulin Rouge opened,
Lautrec was commisioned to paint posters for this boite de nuit. So,
Lautrec may be viewed as one of the first advertising illustrators.

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