The
Art of the United Kingdom refers to all forms of visual art in or associated with the United Kingdom since the formation of the
Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. For earlier periods, and some more detailed information on the post-1707 period, see
English art,
Scottish art,
Welsh art and
Irish art. It is part of
Western art history, and during the 18th century Great Britain began once again to take the leading place England had in European art during the Middle Ages, being especially strong in portraiture and
landscape art. Increasing British prosperity led to a greatly increased production of both
fine art and the
decorative arts, the latter often being exported. The
Romantic period produced the very diverse talents of
William Blake,
J. M. W. Turner,
John Constable and
Samuel Palmer. The Victorian period saw a great diversity of art, and a far larger quantity created than before. Much Victorian art is now out of critical favour, with interest concentrated on the Pre-Raphaelites and the innovative movements at the end of the 18th century.