Emperor Maximilian

Emperor Maximilian mustering his troops by the Austrian artist Maximilian Liebenwein (1869-1926). Despite beeing a typical Art Nouveau painting the influence of the Renaissance engravings by Dürer or Holbein is obvious.

Dramatic Death

The Death of Gian Maria Visconti by the Italian painter  Ludovico Pogliaghi (1857-1950). Pogliaghi depicted here an episode of the local history of Milan, where the young Duke was murdered in front of a church in 1412. The cruel intrigues and fights for power in Renaissance Italy are converted to a kind of romantic Romeo and Juliet scenery.

Claiming of a Hero

The surrender of Prince Guatemozin to Hernando Cortes by the  American painter Peter Frederick Rothermel (1817-1895). Rothermel shows here the last decisive vivtory of the Spanish conquistador and claims him as a predecessor of US-American history.
Cortez appears as a merciful forgiving victor. Maybe it should therfore be mentioned that Guatemozin was later tortured and executed.

More a Scientific Expedition

Bonaparte at the Pyramides by the French painter Maurice Orange (1867-1916). It's interesting that Orange didn't chose here the heroic military aspect of Napoleon's campaign to Egypt but the scientific exotic one.

Kindof Pin-Up

Plated by the Italian comic book writer and artist Milo Manara (born 1945). He shows here Joan of Arc the legendary The Maid of Orléans as kindof medieval pin-up.
Before someone argues against the decline of history painting he should perharps consider that many aknowledged 19th century painters did more or less the same.