Hidden Art in Books: Fore-Edge Paintings
It’s no secret that illustrators often help turn books into more memorable treasures–there’s a reason why we know names like Dr. Seuss. Books and pictures have gone hand-in-hand for centuries. Which makes it no surprise that books with secret pictures have always been popular. Books with secret illustrations known as fore-edge paintings have a history […]
Here Are Some “Festive” Paintings for Your Holiday Season
There’s a cold breeze in the air and sleigh bells are jingling, which must mean that the holiday season is upon us! By now, you’re either up to your ears in wrapping paper, singing along to “Deck the Halls” as you watch a tacky Hallmark channel Christmas movie, or are so tired of hearing the same […]
Finallly–Art History Emojis for Grown-Ups
Ever wanted to express your feelings in text messages through images–only to have the only outlet to properly do such be an emoji? Your finger hovers over the heart-eyed one–then the grimacing one–then the nerdy one. You sigh, reluctant to use an image that you saw on an accent pillow marketed for a teenager’s bedroom […]
An Art History Halloween!
There’s a crisp breeze in the air, which means that Halloween is just around the corner! Which means, if you’re like most of us, you’re struggling to come up with a last-minute costume that won’t break the bank–which can be surprisingly hard if you’re not a makeup or costume whiz. Luckily for you, there’s a […]
Milestone Mexican Art Exhibit Opens in Paris
Adding to the astronomical number of works on the informal list of Art You Must See in Paris, the largest exhibition of Mexican art to take place in 60 years opened October 5 at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. Featuring over 200 pieces of art from the likes of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, the […]
Just Some More Great Western Art History Babies
Last year, we ran an article about the 6 Best Renaissance Babies (in the style of Buzzfeed, Tumblr’s uglyrenaissancebabies, and everything Mallory Ortberg ever wrote for The Toast). However, there are many more than just 6 strange babies in all of art history. So, in keeping with our last piece on strange art history babies, we’ve compiled […]
To Caravaggio…and Beyond!
London’s National Gallery is going where no gallery in the United Kingdom has gone before with their newest exhibition. Entitled Beyond Caravaggio, the exhibitin–opening today and running through January 15, 2017), it’s the first in the UK to explore the influence of baroque artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (known as simply Caravaggio) on artists all […]
Artist Spotlight: “Artivist”/Sculptor Courtney Mattison
Meet artivist Courtney Mattison. Artivist? Yes. In Mattison’s own words, she’s an “artivist”–artist + activist. As a sculptor, Mattison’s background in art and marine biology has inspired her to not just create artwork based on underwater ecosystems, but given her a desire to do something to use her gifts as an artist to draw attention […]
Art Reads–“The Swan Thieves”
A mystery that starts with the slashing of a painting at The National Gallery of Art weaves its way through its characters’ personal histories and through the heart of French Impressionism itself in Elizabeth Kostova’s novel The Swan Thieves. Elizabeth Kostova is probably best known for her 2005 novel The Historian (another great read, though […]
Prado Celebrates Bosch in Huge Exhibition
Madrid’s Museo del Prado is holding one heck of a birthday party for Hieronymus Bosch. Er–sorry, we meant deathday party, à la Nearly Headless Nick in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. In a somewhat-related style, the Prado is currently holding unprecedentedly-huge exhibition on the works of Hieronymus Bosch. The exhibition, curated by Pilar […]